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

751G.00/10–2353: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in’ France¹

secret
priority

Washington, October 23, 1953—7:56 p.m.

1556. Secretary planning issue following statement re Indochina (Embtels 1575 and 1581)² Monday:

I should like to express my satisfaction at the recent announcement that the Franco-Laotian negotiations have been concluded with the complete agreement of the two nations concerned.³ It will be recalled in this connection that on July 3 France declared she was ready to negotiate with each of the three states on a basis of equality, with a view to completing their independence. The successful conclusion of the Franco-Laotian negotiations is an important step forward in the developing relationships with the French Union. It augurs well for the forthcoming political talks between France and Cambodia, and between France and Viet Nam.

With regard to the future relationship of France and the Associated States of Indochina, I recall the statement of the Foreign Ministers of the United States, United Kingdom and France in the communiqué issued following their talks in Washington last July: “The French Union offers a harmonious flexible framework within which the mutual interest of the participants may be guaranteed and their individual interests reconciled.”

I am confident that within that flexible framework the forthcoming negotiations may be successful.

I should like also to emphasize the vital importance of that vigorous prosecution of the war against the Communist enemy in which the armed forces of France and Viet Nam are now engaged. For unless the Communist aggression fails talk about independence is meaningless.

Our deep concern with the Indochinese situation has been demonstrated by our recent decision to increase our aid substantially. We do not want to see the subjugation of the peoples of the Associated States, under a form of evil totalitarian colonialism which would nullify the self-government they have already achieved as well as the future enjoyment of their independence. We hope fervently that the results of this additional United States assistance will be to strengthen the four free nations who are fighting together in Indochina to frustrate the aggressor, and thus help bring about an early and successful termination of hostilities. End Statement.

Department will instruct later re release time. In meantime text should not be shown or discussed French and Vietnamese officials.

Dulles

1. Drafted by McBride of WE and Hoey of PSA. Also sent to Saigon as telegram 717.
2. For telegram 1575, see p. 840. For the text of telegram 1581, see footnote 7, p. 842. In a memorandum to Secretary Dulles of Oct. 23, Assistant Secretaries Merchant and Robertson recommended that the Secretary or the President make a statement on Indochina on Oct. 26. The memorandum was originally accompanied by three attachments: telegram 1575, telegram 1581, and a draft statement. These attachments are not present with the file copy. A marginal notation on the source text of the memorandum indicates that the Secretary redrafted and approved the proposed statement on Oct. 23. (751G.00/10–2353) The text of the statement contained in this telegram is presumably that approved by Secretary Dulles.
3. For text of the Treaty of Friendship Between France and Laos of Oct. 22, 1953, see L’Année Politique, 1953, pp. 582–586. The text, without annexed conventions, is in Documents on International Affairs, 1953, pp. 476–477.