Office of the Historian

751.13/10–2753

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Merchant)

secret
[Washington,] October 27, 1953.

[Extract]

Subject:

  • Visit of Maurice Schumann1

Participants:

  • The Secretary
  • Ambassador Bonnet
  • M. Maurice Schumann
  • Mr. Merchant, EUR

. . . . . . .

The Secretary then remarked that he was under the impression the debate in the French Assembly on Indochina was going well. Mr. Schumann confirmed this but added that war-weariness and the unhappy action of the Vietnamese Congress recently had a bad and continuing effect on public opinion. He spoke of his appreciation of the helpful statement which the Secretary had been prepared to issue on the subject. The Secretary then went on to emphasize that the measures courageously adopted by the French Government and our added assistance for more vigorous prosecution of the war in Indochina seemed to him the best measures designed to gain peace and a successful result. He pointed out that negotiations can only rest on a position of strength if they are to be successful and he cited the Korean analogy. Mr. Schumann agreed but pointed out the strength of groups in Parliament which were opposed to an increased military effort in Indochina. He emphasized, however, that the government was firmly of the mind that they must move ahead resolutely.

The Secretary then went on to discuss the Bidault idea raised in the past of the possible extension on a broader basis of the agenda and composition of the projected political conference on Korea. He said that just as we expected our partners to permit our views on Korea to be predominant, so in any later extension of the conference he would expect the French to have the major voice in any discussion of Indo-china. [Page 852] He emphasized, however, that we can take no steps at this time which might jeopardize the political conference specifically directed to consider the Korean problem.

. . . . . . .

  1. Maurice Schumann, French Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Foreign Minister), was a member of the French Delegation to the Eighth Session of the UN General Assembly at New York, Sept. 15–Dec. 9, 1953. On Sept. 25, during the general debate phase of proceedings, Schumann had delivered an address which included a statement indicating the willingness of France to enter into diplomatic negotiations to end the war in Indochina. For the remarks under reference, see United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, Eighth Session, Plenary Meetings, p. 155.

    Schumann was on visit in Washington prior to returning to Paris.

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