751G.00/10–2053: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
1558. Repeated information Saigon 149. Laniel opened afternoon session Assembly with government statement on Indochina.1 Following high points:
Government policy remains “if Vietnam really interested in joining French Union it would be on free and equal basis”. Full confidence in Navarre. Indigenous forces being increased to 200,000 by January 1, 1954 and 250,000 by end year. This only made possible by US aid. One of purposes Vietnam Congress to “fix terms association with France on basis of equality”. Negotiations will “fix means of consolidating independence states within French Union”. “Government recognizes need for debate on Indochina but sees no need to advance date”.
Statement weak and ineffective. Glossed over all important issues arising from Congresses actions while quoting empty final declaration of confidence in Bao Dai2 and latter’s flowery statement of yesterday [Page 838] (Embtel 1536).3 Neglected express valid points that debate this time will have adverse reaction on morale military forces now in action and will prejudice position French delegation forthcoming negotiations.
Received unenthusiastically, followed immediately by consideration interpellations. After plea by Savary (Socialist) in favor seeking negotiated peace, Assembly proceeded to question fixing date debate. Overwhelming majority voted against government’s desire to postpone debate, whereupon, Laniel asked by Herriot4 “when does government choose”. Replied “as soon as possible after agricultural debate (now in progress and interrupted for Indochina interpellations). Accordingly proposed for afternoon October 23, to continue without interruption other subjects until ended. Approved unanimously.
Apparent throughout that Assembly sentiment strongly opposed any delay. Even early show of hands vote on question fixing date was strongly pro with all Left, Gaullists and most MRP and Radicals voting in favor.
- For the text of the statement by Premier Laniel and the debate which followed, see France, Journal Officiel, Assemblée Nationale, 1953, Débats, pp. 4393–4394.↩
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The resolution under reference was adopted by the National Congress on Oct. 17. A translation of the text, sent to Washington in telegram 686 from Saigon, Oct. 19, read as follows:
“National Congress places entire confidence in His Majesty Bao Dai, Chief of State, to conduct forthcoming negotiations in Paris to realize complete independence Vietnam and form with France voluntary association respecting interests and sovereignty and insuring reciprocity of rights and obligations of the two nations.
“National Congress expresses its thanks to French Republic and to United States for aid given Vietnam in order consolidate its national independence.” (751G.00/10–1953)
In telegram 690 from Saigon, Oct. 19, Ambassador Heath reported that the resolution had not been translated into French for the Congress, nor had it been subject to a formal vote. It was considered to have been passed by acclamation. The Ambassador stated that, nevertheless, the anti-French Union resolution had been counteracted, at least on paper. (651.51G/10–1953)
↩ - In telegram 1536 from Paris, Oct. 19, not printed, Ambassador Dillon transmitted a summary of a statement issued by Bao Dai that day. The Chief of State expressed satisfaction with the conference in general, attributed the resolution repudiating membership in the French Union to a misunderstanding, and stated that the attachment of affection felt by Vietnam for France was not in question. He also said that it was necessary to develop bonds of equal and voluntary cooperation without delay. (751G.00/10–1953)↩
- Edouard Herriot, President of the National Assembly.↩