751G.00/4–654: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
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[Received 10:26 a.m.]
3740. Limit distribution. I feel that French requests for assistance at Dien Bien Phu and our reaction thereto are bound to have a profound effect on attitude France will take at Geneva. French Government, although very disappointed, can well understand reasons for US inability to comply with request in Embtel 3710.1
However, if we cannot find a way to comply with their alternative suggestion contained in Embtel 37382 and if Dien Bien Phu should fall, French Government will inevitably lay a major share of blame for loss of Dien Bien Phu on our inability or unwillingness to help. This will necessarily strengthen already powerful group in French Government who wish for peace at any price in Indochina. For these reasons, I sincerely hope that it will prove possible to grant in one form or another, latest French request for assistance. (Embtel 3738).