751J.00/5–353: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1
priority
5517. 1. I am disappointed French Govt has concluded (Embtel 5766 sent Saigon 244, London 1210, USUN 58)2 it does not wish take case Laos to UN. Without minimizing risks and potential problems French might face, it has seemed to us that on balance advantages to France, Laos and free world favor submission UN. It has seemed to US likely that in any event one or more aspects Indo-China situation will eventually come to agenda SC or GA on initiative others. This may be in less manageable context than if Laos now took initiative with French backing since invasion offers best opportunity present French case. With lapse time clear-cut issue aggression likely become clouded with implications domestic revolt through propaganda blow-up fictitious “free” Laotian Government.
2. Bidault suggestion for declaration by group of 35 or 16 powers raises following problems: (a) Collective declaration by large number states predominantly or exclusively UN members would bring into even sharper relief failure raise in UN what is branded as clear case of aggression obviously calling for UN consideration. (b) Broadest support for declaration would be essential. Unanimous support would be indispensable in group of 16. We have good reason believe significant number states could not be induced join, not because of difference of view as to existence aggression, but because fear involvement in commitment on Indochina whose consequences they could not foresee, and because feeling UN itself proper vehicle for consideration. [Page 544] (c) Neither group includes in its membership certain important Asian nations with interests in area. These nations, well as some members of group of 16, might believe issuance declaration by 16 would carry undesirable implication these countries have become self-appointed security police Far Eastern area.
3. Emb Paris discuss matter with FonOff.3Emb London do same and report reactions.
- Drafted by Eric Stein, Acting Officer in Charge, Pacific Settlement Affairs, (UNP), and Ward P. Allen, United Nations Adviser in the Bureau of European Affairs. Repeated for information to Saigon as telegram 2155, to London as 7227, and to USUN at New York as 424.↩
- Dated May 3, p. 538.↩
- In telegram 5857 from Paris, May 7, Ambassador Dillon reported having discussed the issue with Maurice Schumann, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Schumann stated that the French Government was more convinced than ever that the case of Laos should not be brought before the United Nations at that time. He expressed the hope that French alternative proposals would receive further consideration. (751J.00/5–753)↩