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

751G.5/3–1952: Telegram

The Minister at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State

top secret

Saigon, March 19, 1952—8 p.m.

1830. Rptd Paris 640, London 35. I agree with Paris (Paris tel 5623 to Dept of Mar 15)¹ that while a US–UK review of IC situation may be desirable talks shld not be based on probably erroneous propositions that (1) Fr may be presently conducting tentative negots with Ho Chi Minh and (2) that present Fr Govt may shortly be replaced with Leftist Govt committed to a “détente” in IC. I agree also that immed Anglo-Amer problem is continue seek ways and means to keep Fr Union Forces in IC and help them build strong Viet Natl Army.

As regards (1) Legtel 1829 of Mar 19² expresses our belief that Fr Govt not now engaged in or considering ceasefire or peace negots with Viet Minh. This telegram explains causes persistence rumors such negots.

As for point (2) Paris tel 5623 seems to dispose of likelihood of early replacement of present Fr Govt by Leftist Cabinet committed to “détente” in IC. In recent conversation Acting High Comm Gautier said he thought unlikely that there wld be a Leftist or any other govt taking office in near future with program of ending or reducing Fr effort IC altho he admitted there was considerable opposition and “lassitude” over indefinite continuance present scale of Fr human and financial sacrifices.

Whether or not we now review situation with British we shld, I believe at some quite early date have frank high-level discussions with Fr as to what they or we can do bring some early improvement this situation which at present one very slow progress not far removed from stalemate in both polit and milit sectors. There is probably nothing we or Fr can do in the next few months to add importantly to pace of milit progress unless VM command makes some unexpected mistakes. An increase of our milit aid is urgent but probably nothing that we can presently do will greatly accelerate the pace of delivery of scarce supply items.

But on polit, including econ and financial side, there is something to be done to break this near-stalemate.

Any talks with Fr shld be bilateral rather than trilateral. The Brit are not in direct participation in this situation. Their presence during frank discussion of IC problem and ways and means of solution might be embarrassing to Fr or ourselves.

Letourneau who has been in office for better part of two years and very possibly will continue there for some time even if govt changes has long been desirous of visiting US. An invitation to him might afford appropriate occasion for useful discussion of polit and economic problems which hope expressed during Juin talks last Jan (see Legtel 1347, Jan 8).³ Such talks might be preceded by review of IC situation between London and Wash.

Leg will shortly submit situation report updating appreciation contained Legtel 1347, Jan 8 and suggesting topics which might now be discussed with Fr.

Heath

1. Ante, p. 69.
2. Supra.
3. In telegram 1347 from Saigon, Jan. 8, 1952, not printed, Minister Heath proposed an agenda for the tripartite military talks held in Washington on Jan. 11, and offered suggestions regarding the position of the United States on various agenda items. (790.5/1–852) The tripartite conversations are described in telegram 974 to Saigon, Jan. 15, p. 14.