Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 1

Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 129

United States Summary of Actions at the Ministerial Meeting of the North Atlantic Council, Paris, December 15–18, 1952¹

secret

Paris, December 15–18, 1952

[Extract]

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In closed session the Council turned to agenda item “Exchange of Views on Political Matters of Common Concern” with Schuman first on the list to discuss Indochina. He opened by referring to repercussions of the Indochina war on Council affairs, not only strategically but in relation to France’s NATO effort and her role vis-à-vis Germany as well as EDC. Before asking Letourneau, Minister for Associated States, to speak on the present situation, Schuman said the French Government desires a clear conclusion to be drawn from the facts now laid before the Council and for help as far as possible to the French in carrying her heavy burden.

Letourneau gave an excellent summary of the weight of the French effort over seven years which included a persuasive presentation of the extent to which the three Associated States are exercising sovereignty to a degree comparable, he asserted, to that of members of the British Commonwealth. He gave a figure of 175,000 troops of French and territories of French Union with 8,000 French officers and French noncoms; with dead, missing and wounded set at 90,000 for French Legionnaires, African and North African troops from 1945 to October 1952. The French financial effort in the same period set at 1,547 billion francs of 1950 value. He noted that Vietnam in the past two years had built its army to 53 battalions, plus 28,000 national guard and 5,000 supplementifs. 67 regular battalions plus a small coastal and river navy for Vietnam are planned in 1953. Comparable figures for Cambodia and Laos were given as 16,000 and 12,000 respectively. He recalled that 33 countries have recognized the Associated States and that only the Soviets vetoed their admission to the UN.

Letourneau stated that French resistance to aggression in Indochina has been based on the realization: (1) if she refused to make this effort the Associated States would lose their independence as soon as the expeditionary force left; and (2) if Indochina fell, the balance in Asia would be upset and the problem of the defense of Europe greatly changed. He emphasized that Korea and Indochina were aspects of the same fight against the same central adversary and that any negotiated settlements in Korea should include settlement of Indochina. He acknowledged “generous and considerable aid” from the U.S., representing 33 percent of expenditures this year, and equipment for the Vietnam army but stated this may well be insufficient in light of the weight of the burden. Letourneau closed by asking the western powers to recognize the tremendous importance of the fight the French are making in Indochina and the importance of supporting her effort.

The Chairman² thanked the French delegate for his information and paid tribute to the heavy burden the French are carrying.

The Portuguese then paid similar tribute and reminded the Council that Portugal herself is bearing a heavy burden in exposed Macao, described as the “oldest European stronghold in China.”

The U.K. agreed the French are defending an important bastion against the Communists and emphasized the necessity for seeing the world problem as a whole which U.K. responsibilities in Malaya, Korea, Hong Kong, the Middle East, and Europe require. He³ concluded by stating the U.K. is giving France what it could and that any request from France would be sympathetically considered within U.K. resources which necessarily were limited.

After a brief tribute to French gallantry by Italy, the Chairman stated the public should know the Council had discussed Indochina and asked whether the Council desired to pass a resolution or merely include the fact in the communiqué.⁴

Secretary Acheson made a laudatory statement regarding the French struggle in Indochina, saying the French effort there is in the interest of all of the free world. The U.S. expects to continue to help and support the French effort to the best of its ability. The U.S. then introduced and read a resolution on Indochina (previously agreed to by the UK, French and U.S. delegations) and moved its adoption. Italy was in entire agreement with the purpose of the resolution but expressed some concern lest such a resolution change the legal obligations under NAT which might create problems with NATO Parliaments. Norway, France and Canada proposed that a minimum of amendments be adopted and the resolution (C–M (52) 140)⁵ was approved. Schuman then made a speech of thanks pointing out that France was convinced it is fulfilling its duty not only in its own interest but for the entire free world. The Council agreed to release the resolution immediately to press.

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1. The greater part of the discussion on Indochina summarized here occurred at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Dec. 16. The last paragraph of this extract summarizes that portion of the meeting of Dec. 17 which concerned Indochina. The NATO summary records of the two meetings are located in Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 129. For additional documentation on this session of the North Atlantic Council, see volume v.
2. Ole Bjørn Kraft, Foreign Minister of Denmark.
3. Reference is to Anthony Eden, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
4. The Final Communiqué issued on Dec. 18, noted that the Council had “paid particular attention to the struggle in Indo-China.” For text, see Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 5, 1953, pp. 3–4.

5. The resolution read as follows:

   “The North Atlantic Council

   “Recognizes that resistance to direct or indirect aggression in any part of the world is an essential contribution to the common security of the free world;

   “Having been informed at its meeting in Paris on the 16th December of the latest developments in the military and political situation in Indo-China;

   “Expresses its wholehearted admiration for the valiant and long continued struggle by the French forces and the armies of the Associated States against Communist aggression; and

   “Acknowledges that the resistance of the free nations in South-East Asia as in Korea is in fullest harmony with the aims and ideals of the Atlantic Community;

   “And therefore agrees that the campaign waged by the French Union forces in Indo-China deserves continuing support from the NATO governments.” (Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 129)