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

751G.5 MSP/5–2852: Telegram

The Minister at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State

confidential priority

Saigon, May 28, 1952—noon
[Received 6:39 a.m.].

2351. Rptd info Paris 729, Hanoi unnumbered. Re Legtel 1548, Feb 6.¹

Legation has noted from time to time French expression of disappointment with volume American military aid delivered in IC.

In IC we have, we believe, made progress in checking such distortion. MAAG and Legation have gotten over facts which speak for themselves to French General Staff, High Commissariat, local press and infrequent meetings. Materiel on docks and procession of incoming ships spell out best story.

In addition, Salan has given me his personal assurance that he will try to prevent rise of any polemic in local press and as evidence his intentions staged extensive and effective ceremonies today in connection with arrival of 150th ship.²

Legation believes wider publicity required on volume of materiel delivered to date. In this connection Legation repeats request Legtel 1548, Feb 6 for release fol figures to press of matériel updated to include arrival 150th ship:

a. Over 130,000 tons of all types of MDAP equipment and supplies.

b. Over 53 million rounds of ammunition.

c. Over 8,000 transport vehicles and trailers.

d. Over 650 combat vehicles.

e. Over 200 military aircraft.

f. Over 200 naval craft.

g. Over 3,500 radio sets.

h. Over 14,000 automatic weapons.

I must point out, however, that Chief MAAG still objects strongly to release of figures unless authorized by OSD and points out that similar info on CCF supply is treated by US authorities here as secret. French have no objection to release of figures.

Legation receiving constant requests for some concrete info on military aid and plans to use figures as background for foreign correspondents, including those of Paris dailies. Also, figures wld be of aid in continuing forthright but tactful info efforts including stories of ship arrivals and MAAG inspection trips.

Since now developing publicity for background on US aid, wld appreciate earliest Dept’s reaction and necessary authorization to release of such statistics as cited above.

Heath

1. Telegram 1548 from Saigon, Feb. 6, not printed, contained the text of a proposed press release describing the amount and nature of U.S. aid to French Union forces in Indochina. (751G.5 MSP/2–652)
2. The ceremonies were reported in telegram 2363 from Saigon, May 29, not printed. General Salan, Premier Huu, Cambodian and Laotian representatives, and Minister Heath delivered remarks during the course of proceedings. The Minister informed Washington that the ceremonies were impressive and received widespread local notice. (751G.5/5–2952)