Office of the Historian

FE files, lot 55 D 388, “Indochina”

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Drumright)

confidential
[Washington,] December 8, 1953.

Subject:

  • Desirability of Recognition by Associated States of Chinese Government

Participants:

  • Mr. Pierre Millet, Counselor, French Embassy
  • FE—Everett F. Drumright, Deputy Assistant Secretary

In the course of a conversation on another subject today, Mr. Drumright raised with Mr. Millet the question of the French position toward recognition by the Associated States of the Chinese National Government. In reply, Mr. Millet said that in 1949 the French Government had taken the position that it would not be desirable for the Associated States to take steps to recognize the Chinese Government. The basic reason was, he said, that such recognition could only lead to exacerbation of relations with the Chinese Communists which the French Government is most anxious to avoid. Mr. Millet indicated that there had been no marked change in the French position since that time.

Mr. Millet then inquired about the United States position. In reply, Mr. Drumright said that the United States considers that relations among the non-Communist states of East Asia should be encouraged and made more close. Mr. Drumright said he understood that Laos and perhaps Cambodia had raised the issue of recognition of Nationalist China with our representatives out there. We had told our representatives to express the view that we believed establishment of relations with the Chinese Government would be desirable and useful. Mr. Drumright said it is obvious that the Communist powers in East Asia are closely united, whereas the non-Communist powers stand separately and, in numerous cases, do not recognize one another. This is obviously disadvantageous to the non-Communist side and needs rectification. While making it clear that the United States would like to see the impetus for closer ties coming from the non-Communist states themselves and while recognizing the difficulties of bringing about a close association of the non-Communist states of East and South Asia, Mr. Drumright indicated to Mr. Millet that it is the United States policy to foster and encourage closer association.