751J.00/4–3053: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
[Received 9:01 p.m.]
5754. Repeated information Saigon 238, London unnumbered. Letourneau appeared somewhat dispirited during conversation with us today on Cambodian situation1 and said he was leaving for Saigon Sunday, May 3, although he expected return Paris in event government crisis in May. Press reports indicate yesterday’s meeting council ministers devoted largely to Indochina, with differences opinion between ministers on subject bringing Laotian question to United Nations, and spirited discussion Cambodian problems and question Commissioner General Indochina. Following council meeting Letourneau made talk at Anglo-United States Press Club, outlining French policy [Page 531] Indochina and, in reply queries, explaining there had been exchange views re submission Laotian case to United Nations with United States representatives during recent talks Paris, and that matter still under study.
Added to pressure which Letourneau reportedly faced in council meeting has been publication in Le Monde last evening at Servan-Schreiber article, (Embassy despatch 2381, April 30)2 highly critical of French policy Indochina, which refers to report by recent parliamentary mission to Indochina headed by Devinat in such way that it was clear author had knowledge of report. (Report just concluded and is to be submitted to President, Prime Minister and President of National Assembly next week.) Letourneau himself brought up Servan-Schreiber article, saying it contained implied criticisms of his own integrity and pointing to Figaro comment on article this morning that “Humanité could not have done better.” Letourneau regards article as part of campaign of attack on him and says he is endeavoring to obtain decision regarding new commissioner general and some announcement in this regard prior to his departure, in order prevent his enemies presenting decision as one made without consultation with him. He says Prime Minister prefers civilian commissioner and implies that new civilian commissioner general and new military commander will be named in near future. Letourneau was somewhat bitter over use made of parliamentary mission report, saying that such missions had gone to Indochina each year, that their function was solely to check on expenditures of funds and that such reports never made public and had never before been blown up to such proportions.
Member President Auriol’s cabinet today remarked to us that this article was a phase of political in-fighting on domestic scene. He said that debate on Indochina was certain to come when National Assembly reconvenes.
In light of present developments both in Laos and Cambodia, there is likely to be severe questioning by National Assembly of government on its Indochina policy, but it is not yet possible to say how lines will form and to what extent it will constitute danger for government. In any event, those parliamentarians who have long been critical of government policy will not fail to return to attack and this time, in light of Laotian and Cambodian development, they may well have heavier ammunition to fire against government policy than any time in recent past except at time when De Lattre went out to effect amelioration of situation. There are reliable reports that some effort has been made to persuade Juin go out for two months, but that he has so far successfully [Page 532] resisted pressure. At this juncture it would seem necessary that government send to Indochina someone with considerable prestige, both for domestic reasons and for psychological effect in Indochina itself. Under present circumstances there seems to be little or no doubt that, in absence of existing United States aid programs for Indochina and without prospect of increased United States assistance for French effort Indochina, demands for ending such effort by negotiation or withdrawal might well reach serious proportions.
- Ambassador Dillon described his discussion with Letourneau on Cambodia in telegram 5742 from Paris, Apr. 30, not printed. (751H.00/4r-3053)↩
- Despatch 2381 from Paris, Apr. 30, not printed, the daily press summary, described a front page editorial appearing in Le Monde on the evening of Apr. 29 by Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber titled “Why Are We Fighting?” (951.61/4–3053)↩