751G.00/10–1653: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy at Saigon1
priority
655. Your 669 [668]. We are awaiting your comments regarding resolution of Vietnam National Congress expressing decision not to join French Union. Meanwhile following are our preliminary thoughts: Department most concerned at possible effect this resolution upon will and ability of French Government to proceed with implementation political and military plans we are supporting.2
It would be Department’s hope that resolution of National Congress would be placed in proper focus by appropriate statements by Vietnamese Government representatives including Bao Dai and Tam.
Department also believes that in view particularly current offensive in North, it is most important for National Congress to pass strong resolution of solidarity with Vietnamese and French troops laying down their lives to defend independence details of which are to be worked out in forthcoming negotiations.
Department would also hope that official French comment would be restrained and while not denying right of Vietnamese to adhere or not to French Union would express hope that final details of relations between two countries would be left to be determined at forthcoming negotiations results of which would of course be subject to ratification in accordance legal procedures both countries.
- Drafted by Bonsal of PSA. Repeated for information to Paris, London, and Hanoi.↩
- In telegram 1507 from Paris, Oct. 16, Ambassador Dillon reported the following: “Announcement entirely unexpected resolution Vietnam national congress bombshell to Far Eastern Branch Foreign Office and Secretariat Associated States. Officials closely concerned Indochinese affairs both Ministries report initial reaction profound shock.” (751G.00/10–1653)↩