751G.5 MSP/5–1252: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Legation at Saigon1
1789. Urtel 2224 May 12, 6 parts, has recd particular attn and commendation those sections Dept concerned. Valuable résumé and analysis arrives at time when IC has been under special review in connection negot NSC SEA paper with Joint Chiefs and Dept Defense.
[Page 146]Like Leg and Emb Paris, Dept is increasingly conscious need break present stalemate. Our recognition this fact furthered by recent reminders from Brit Govt of their concern present situation IC and knowledge of growing Fr preoccupation with crushing weight IC load and uncertainty of future thus lending argument to ever present possibility IC may become major internal Fr polit issue and withdrawal a reality. Whatever is done to break stalemate must be done within next few months before, (1) opening dry season mil operations in Tonkin and, (2) we are obliged to ask Cong for another major financial contribution to support IC operation and prevent Fr withdrawal.
Urtel well timed for use in talks Secy will hold in Paris with Schuman during next weeks. Under present plan Secy will not push issue at that time but anticipate inevitability IC will be reviewed at Fr instigation if only because it cannot be avoided in conjunction Fr financial problems, which we already know will be raised, and presence in Paris at same time of Letourneau. Nevertheless Depts present purpose is to defer major review IC with Fr until arrival Letourneau here in middle of June2 when we shld be better prepared in that certain basic mil considerations will, we hope, be clearer at that time and because we prefer to hold talks here in Wash under circumstances comparable to de Lattre talks of last Sep.
We will not attempt in this msg to comment on detailed portions urtel 2224 except to state that we agree in gen with your observations and suggested remedial action. Separate comment will fol on specific sections reftel.
Interested Offroy‘s views outlined urtel 2216 May 10. If these represent evolution opinion young officials newly concerned IC, such as Janot and Dannaud, we are encouraged. Nevertheless we find views reflect understandable inexperience with IC scene and certain amount youthful verve which we doubt is shared by FonOff and Fr Govt.
Reurtel 2218 May 10, para 3. Dept does not approve proposal hold ministerial level talks with Fr in Saigon or Dalat in foreseeable future. Present sched is, as stated, to listen to views to be expressed by Letourneau and Schuman to Secy in Paris and thereupon prepare position papers for use in detailed talks with Letourneau in Wash in June. Background analysis you have provided in reftels will be used to full advantage at that time. Thereafter and dependent upon outcome Letourneau conversations Wash, Dept will instruct Leg what further steps are to be taken in Saigon with Huu, Bao Dai and Letourneau. [Page 147] Perhaps these can be planned to take place during visit Saigon Asst Secy Allison tentatively sched for late summer