651.51G/4–854: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1
3575. Your 3799 repeated Saigon 431.2 Secretary will look forward discussing status Franco-Vietnamese relations with Laniel and Bidault in Paris next week.
FYI While Department appreciates problems faced by French Government as outlined final paragraph reftel, it is desired to stress extreme importance attached here to successful prompt conclusion Franco-Vietnamese negotiations on basis which will be generally accepted as effectively perfecting independence of Vietnam. Secretary has made clear that precondition for US added participation in Indochina struggle would be, in addition to “united action” concept, complete independence for Associated States. Secretary has further made clear to Associated States (and they have presumably repeated it to French) that while he is personally convinced that French Union framework offers desirable means of furthering mutual interests, there must be a free association with sovereign right of withdrawal enjoyed by all associates. This view firmly held also by other members proposed coalition who have expressed themselves strongly to Secretary (Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and Thailand).
A bold imaginative and above all prompt solution of admittedly serious political-constitutional problems involved would be major contribution to success of common effort.
In addition to dynamic effect which we would hope for in Indochina it would be hard to exaggerate favorable effect which would be produced here and in other countries concerned and in Asia in general by [Page 1299] successful outcome these negotiations. On other hand, failure to move forward would jeopardize chances of securing necessary support for grave decisions which may be required if Indochina is to be saved from Communist domination. End FYI.
- Drafted by Bonsal of PSA. Repeated for information to Saigon as telegram 1907.↩
- The reference telegram is described in footnote 5, p. 1214.↩