751G.00/12–553: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
968. Repeated information Paris 279, Hanoi unnumbered. When I presented Senator Thye (Minn.)1 to General Navarre yesterday, Navarre said that he was not particularly worried over Ho Chi-Minh’s “peace offer”, since he was convinced that there were no practical possibilities of negotiating peace at present time. (Comment: A conviction which I share.) He was not worried over effect that a talking of peace might have on morale Franco-Viet troops and officers but, as was natural in the officers’ messes, there was now some conversation and questioning as to what was stake for France in continuing fight. This “mess table” conversation was not desirable but was not to be taken seriously. He thought it possible that Ho Chi-Minh’s “peace offer” and reaction of interest in it in France might indeed have a good effect in causing Vietnamese to think more seriously about their danger, the war and the necessity of agreeing to some form of association with France which would justify latter in continuing fight here. He knew of course that in its present formulation French Union was unpalatable to certain Vietnamese Nationalists, but some sort of mutually advantageous, entirely acceptable formula could surely be found. While he personally could see that a formal association or contract perhaps was not necessary, French at home would insist on it. He ended by saying, “French people like contracts and you can’t change them”.
He continued to be greatly encouraged by military situation. There was no doubt that Viet Minh had planned serious attack on delta from October 15 last. Operation Mouette and present taking of Dien Bien Phu had spoiled that plan. Viet Minh might still make attack on delta but it would be later and would seem that it was no longer a “must” operation during this campaign. Actually during Mouette [garble] 20 320 division had been hit so hard that it would take until end of month till it could be utilized, and equivalent of [garble] division was [Page 900] now moving into Thai country because of French operation at Dien Bien Phu and French promotion of counter-guerrilla activity among Thai mountain people. Recent development of Thai counter-guerrilla units was a most hopeful one. In next few months France might have to stand some very hard knocks but he was confident they would withstand them.
- Edward J. Thye of Minnesota, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, was on visit in Indochina.↩