751G.5/4–2154: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
4003. Repeated information Saigon 465. In speaking with Ambassador Heath today, Pleven reiterated France could not afford to miss any opportunity to seek an Indochina settlement at Geneva. He indicated no clear idea as to how this might be done but seemed to be envisaging possibility of some sort of territorial split of Vietnam. He said that we must have no illusions and that if Geneva failed to produce a settlement, France would not continue the war. In response to question that he presumably meant that France would not go on alone as distinct from participating in united action, he indicated poor opinion of prospects of latter from military point of view and said France not interested in fighting beside South Koreans. He implied full partnership with US would be another matter but felt air support alone no matter how great would not be enough.