751.21/12–2452: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dunn) to the Department of State
3653. Repeated information Saigon 138, London unnumbered. Embtel 3602, December 20 (Saigon 134, London Unnumbered).1 In commenting on National Assembly debate re Indochina budget Roux tells us that although budget approval not in question Letourneau did not have easy time during debate.2 Roux believes NATO resolution on Indochina made Letourneau’s task much less difficult but says there was evidence of malaise among his interpellators.
While National Assembly had earlier voted to refuse consider Ministry Associated States civil budget prior full debate on Indochina policy (Embtel 3471, December 14),1 debate just ended was not considered full scale debate on Indochina policy and rapporteur for national defense committee asked on behalf his committee during debate that closed debate on Indochina be held during January to permit government, especially president council, to inform Assembly of its [Page 331] intentions and plans. Letourneau ended night session midnight December 19 without reference to such future debate and with statement he would present conclusion of his observations when budget debate resumed. Time for resumption debate left for decision by conference of committee chairmen on agenda but Pinay Cabinet crisis ensued before debate Indochina budget resumed.3
Malaise of Deputies during debate on Indochina seen in frequent references to possibility of negotiations, although for most part view was expressed such negotiations not possible with Ho-Chi-Minh but should be undertaken with Communist China or with USSR. Letourneau’s statements showed him firmly opposed negotiations with Ho, against internationalization of conflict and in favor “only course open to France”—to continue effort while endeavoring obtain lightening of financial burden through aid from Allies and easing of military burden through building up of national armies. He stressed that chief difficulty for France in latter task was question of cadres.
Letourneau explained in general terms revamping French administrative structure in Indochina to adapt it to its new role: Three High Commissioners for three Associated States, cultural assistance mission and economic and technical assistance mission. Answering concern of Indochina friends re possible eventual resurrection of some Indo-china federation, Letourneau said powers High Commissioner Indochina were to be transferred to three High Commissioners to Associated States in such ways that Commanding General would be there only as representative of general interests of French Union and might be later person representing French in all of SEA. He gave no name as appointee for Commanding General, but Embassy has heard General Koenig’s name rumored.
Small number of Deputies present, deplored by Letourneau in his opening words during debate, was not measure of interest in Indochina problem among Deputies but rather should be taken as indicative of lack of real opposition to government’s budget proposals for Indochina. As this was examination of budget rather than full-scale debate on Indochina policy, week end timing of debate made for absences by Deputies who were willing forego budget debate but would probably not have wished to miss policy debate.
- Not printed.↩
- For the record of the debate on the military budget for Indochina which occurred in the National Assembly on Dec. 19, see France, Journal Officiel Assemblée Nationale, 1952, Débats, pp. 6659–6672.↩
- Not printed.↩
- The government of Antoine Pinay resigned on Dec. 23 as the result of the disintegration of the government coalition over a domestic economic issue. A new government was formed by René Mayer on Jan. 7, 1953. In the new cabinet, Georges Bidault replaced Robert Schuman as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Jean Letourneau retained his position as Minister for the Associated States. René Pleven remained Minister of Defense.↩