751G.00/7–654: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1
77. Re Embtel 50.2 We see no real conflict between paragraphs 4 and 5 US–UK terms. We realize of course that even agreement which appears to meet all seven points cannot constitute guarantee that Indochina will not one day pass into Communist hands. Seven points are intended provide best chance that this shall not happen. This will require observance of criteria not merely in the letter but in the spirit. Thus since undoubtedly true that elections might eventually mean unification Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh this makes it all more important they should be only held as long after cease-fire agreement as [Page 1792] possible and in conditions free from intimidation to give democratic elements best chance. We believe important that no date should be set now and especially that no conditions should be accepted by French which would have direct or indirect effect of preventing effective international supervision of agreement ensuring political as well as military guarantees. Also note paragraph 3 of President and Prime Minister joint declaration of June 29 regarding “unity through free elections supervised by the UN.”3
Our interpretation of willingness “respect” agreement which might be reached is that we would not oppose a settlement which conformed to seven points contained Deptel 4853.4 It does not of course mean we would guarantee such settlement or that we would necessarily support it publicly. We consider “respect” as strong a word as we can possibly employ in the circumstances to indicate our position with respect to such arrangement as French may evolve along lines points contained Deptel 4853. “Respect” would also mean that we would not seek directly or indirectly to upset settlement by force.5
You may convey substance above to French.
- Drafted by Secretary Dulles. Repeated for information to London as telegram 129, to Saigon as telegram 67, and to Geneva as Tosec 523.↩
- Dated July 6, p. 1785.↩
- The joint declaration, a statement of general principles issued by Eisenhower and Churchill at the conclusion of their talks in Washington, read in part as follows: “In the case of nations now divided against their will, we shall continue to seek to achieve unity through free elections supervised by the United Nations to insure they are conducted fairly.” For the full text of the declaration, see volume VI.↩
- Dated June 28, p. 1757.↩
In telegram 84 to Paris, July 8, repeated for information to Geneva, Saigon, and London, the Department of State added the following: “Our willingness make public statement we will respect agreement Indochina predicated assumption Associated States and in particular Viet Nam would agree terms settlement.
“We believe Mendes-France should be under no illusion that observance of seven points (Deptel 4853) would of itself suffice without agreement Associated States and request you make sure he understands this.” (751G.00/7–854)
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