751G.00/6–3054: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Cameron) to the Department of State
775. Repeated information Saigon 717, Paris 344, pouched Bangkok unnumbered. In discussing current situation in north with me this morning, Governor Tri made no effort to minimize his deep discouragement and apprehension. He pointed out that he was convinced that French plans to abandon southern delta which had been made unilaterally without prior discussion with either himself or national government had been decided on as much as six weeks ago when French had first proposed hand over this area to Vietnamese National Army. In spite strong Vietnamese opposition to this proposal, Tri said French had persisted in basic objective of withdrawing from south and had now decided accomplish this objective in even more disastrous fashion. Tri said General Cogny came to see him June 26 to inform him of French plans withdraw from southern delta which had, according to Tri, then been under way for at least preceding four days. According to Tri, Cogny explained this movement as necessitated by military requirement of creating mobile striking force with which to meet possible assault Viet Minh battle corps. Tri protested grave political implications of giving up manpower and economic resources of this nationalist Catholic area. He asked Cogny why French Union forces in that area could not be made into mobile force, kept in area, and used there until needed to resist Viet Minh assault on Hanoi-Haiphong complex. Tri said he did not receive satisfactory reply to his question.
Tri informed national government and received twenty hours later telegram from Diem which, according to Tri, read as follows. “I have obtained from Salan a delay in French plans to evacuate Phat Diem, Bui Chu and Nam Dinh. Reassure the people.” Language of telegram apparently deeply offended Tri. He felt, moreover, very strongly that it provided no basis for reassuring population in these areas. Tri sent a copy of this telegram to General Cogny who replied that he had [Page 1766] received no instructions to delay French withdrawals which have continued.
Tri is convinced that withdrawals resulted from decisions made in Geneva and Paris and that Cogny is simply carrying out instructions. He said he is even more certain that whole operation is taking place within terms of agreement between French and Viet Minh. He sees present operation as prelude to general withdrawal of French Expeditionary Corps from delta.
Governor indicated he had instructed provincial officials, as well as militia and national guard, to remain these provinces until last minute. He was not sanguine about rear guard resistance these units could put up since French had withdrawn all automatic weapons and communications equipment. Tri said that he was receiving reports that large numbers of Vietnamese in French Union forces, including suppletifs, were refusing to leave with their units. These, he commented, were not desertions since the individuals were reporting to province chiefs with request that they be permitted to enter ranks Vietnamese National Army. According Tri, Cogny had agreed permit such “transfers” and he had informed province chiefs to accept these individuals.
Tri declared that it was more urgent than ever to know US attitude towards new Vietnamese Government and extent to which Vietnam could expect assistance, advice and equipment.