Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 1

751G.00/4–254: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State

top secret
priority

Paris, April 2, 1954—2 p.m.
[Received 10:23 a.m.]

3675. Repeated information Saigon 411. Deptel 3419 (Saigon 1824), April l.¹ Re Saigon’s 563 (Department’s 1778)² suggesting French Government at highest level be apprised our views concerning importance French Government’s acceptance Vietnamese proposals, and further re Embtel 3419 (Saigon 1824) on status Franco–Vietnamese negotiations:

1. There is and has been no evidence French reluctance accept Vietnamese views re concept independence. French grant of full independence and sovereignty Vietnam is not at issue and agreement on this score manifest from beginning conversations.

2. Principal and essentially sole issue since beginning of conversations has been juridical one of drafting a mutually agreeable formula to govern future Franco–Vietnamese relationship. As Embassy has indicated previously to draft a formula that reflects spirit last three paragraphs preamble French Constitution while straddling Articles 62 and 65 as well as fourth paragraph Assembly’s March ordre du jour³ in such way as to meet Vietnamese desires on this score, will be a legal drafting feat of no mean proportions. In absence constitutional revision, to do this, French Government must clearly disregard Articles 62 and 65 of Constitution (which are unacceptable to Vietnamese as drafted), a task made much more difficult by Assembly’s action March 9. However, Embassy continues to believe that a mutually satisfactory formula of association will be drafted in due course.

3. French officials concerned do not regard question of whether have separate treaties of independence and association as major problem and believe that agreement can be reached on this issue of “form” in relatively short order after final agreement reached on formula of association.

4. As indicated Embtel 3660,⁴ French officials concerned with negotiations anticipate agreement on association formula thus clearing way for possible conclusion basic treaty (or treaties) by [of] independence and association by mid-April and in any event before Geneva Conference. However, as Embassy has previously indicated, discussion economic and related matters not expected to begin prior settlement association issue.

5. Embassy shares French view that problem involved is difficult one and one for obvious reasons cannot and should not be concluded in haste without full exploration and satisfaction having been achieved on each side. Embassy would also like to point out again in this context that reason for long delay in beginning negotiations was due delay on Vietnamese side not French side. As consequence, hardly seems appropriate press French unduly this score. Additionally, French fully aware significance these negotiations both in relation internal situation Vietnam and forthcoming Indochina conference Geneva. Finally, Embassy feels that it would be inappropriate, in absence of evidence of a break-down in negotiations, for United States to make move that could be construed as exercising pressure on French Government to accept fully whatever Vietnamese propose thus providing critics with what they would term one more example United States interference in regard matter the future implications of which may well extend beyond Indochina peninsula. While recognizing importance full satisfaction Vietnamese desires this regard, Embassy feels we must also endeavor do nothing further undermine French interest in continuation military effort Indochina. Hence Embassy wishes underscore its conclusion in Embtel 3660 to effect no expression be made French this regard at present.⁵

Dillon

1. Telegram 3419 to Paris read as follows: “Would appreciate reply last paragraph Department’s 3309 repeated Saigon 1766.” (751G.00/4–154) For text of telegram 3309, see footnote 4, p. 1156.
2. Dated Mar. 24, p. 1155.
3. See footnote 2, p. 1103.
4. In telegram 3660 from Paris, Apr. 1, not printed, the Embassy reported that French officials were convinced that mutually satisfactory agreements with the State of Vietnam could be concluded within two weeks. (651.51G/4–154)
5. In telegram 3799 from Paris, Apr. 8, Ambassador Dillon reported that Nguyen Dac Khe of the Vietnamese Delegation in Paris had requested that the United States intercede with France, with a view to promoting the signing of French-Vietnamese agreements prior to the opening of the Geneva Conference on Apr. 26. Dillon informed the Department that he continued to recommend that no representations by the United States be entered with French authorities. (651.51G/4–854)