751G.00/12–2953: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Sturm) to the Department of State
360. Repeated information Saigon 266, Paris 157. Re Deptel 367.1 Governor Tri said yesterday current Viet Minh invasion of Laos has revived fears of Dai Viet party leaders that developing military situation may be so played up in France as to strengthen hand of those political elements receptive to Ho Chi-Minh’s proposal to negotiate settlement between French and Viet Minh. He remarked that while region embracing Thakhek and Savannakhet is rich in rice and could [Page 935] serve as useful Viet Minh base for further advances either north or south, immediate interest of its occupation by Viet Minh lies in fact that plausible, if specious, analogy to Korean 38th parallel can be suggested to minds of those abroad who are only vaguely aware that Indochina has for years been divided into series of controlled and non-controlled parcels. Tri and his associates fear that if Viet Minh succeed in consolidating positions along middle Mekong, while at same time carrying out in Thai country manoeuvres susceptible of spectacular propaganda treatment, and intensifying within Red River delta a guerrilla campaign which is already dangerous and hampering to French Union troops, the enemy may put himself in a position to appeal with deadly effect to a public opinion in France which his earlier peace-feelers (among other elements) have predisposed in favor of negotiation.
Tri sees no conceivable basis on which French (with or without National Government participation) could negotiate any settlement with Viet Minh except one which would deliver country, and ultimately all Indochina, into Communist hands. Governor asked what US view would be if problem should assume form he fears it may do. I attempted to reassure Tri that we would steadfastly oppose any development that would make Southeast Asia yet more vulnerable to Communist penetration, but he remains unconvinced that the position from which we shall resist French pressure to negotiate with Viet Minh has not been undermined by Panmunjom’s negotiations.
- Telegram 1121 to Saigon, repeated as 367 to Hanoi, Dec. 28, 1953, not printed. (751G.00/12–2853)↩