Editorial Note
At his news conference of 11:30 a.m., July 21, 1954, President Eisenhower read the following statement:
“I am glad, of course, that agreement has been reached at Geneva to stop the bloodshed in Indochina. The United States has not been a belligerent in the war in which thousands of brave men, while defending freedom, have died during the past 7 years.
“The primary responsibility for the settlement in Indochina rested with those nations which participated in the fighting.
“Our role at Geneva has been at all times to try to be helpful where desired, and to aid France and Cambodia, Laos and Viet-Nam, to obtain a just and honorable settlement which will take into account the needs of the interested people.
“Accordingly, the United States has not itself been a party to or bound by the decisions taken by the conference, but it is our hope that it will lead to the establishment of peace consistent with the rights and needs of the countries concerned. The agreement contains features which we do not like, but a great deal depends on how they work in practice.
“The United States is issuing at Geneva a statement to the effect that it is not prepared to join in the conference declaration but, as loyal members of the United Nations, we also say that in compliance with the obligations and principles contained in article II of the United Nations Charter, the United States will not use force to disturb the settlement. We also say that any renewal of Communist aggression would be viewed by us as a matter of grave concern.
“As evidence of our resolve to assist Cambodia and Laos to play their [Page 1865] parts in full independence and sovereignty, in the peaceful community of free nations, we are requesting the agreement of the governments of Cambodia and Laos to our appointment of an ambassador or minister to be resident at their respective capitals. We already have a Chief of Mission at Saigon, the capital of Viet-Nam, and this embassy will, of course, be maintained.
“The United States is actively pursuing discussions with other free nations with a view to the rapid organization of a collective defense in southeast Asia in order to prevent further direct or indirect Communist aggression in that general area.” (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1954, Page 642)
This statement was prepared in the Department of State. Aspects of the statement were considered by Secretary Dulles and Presidential Press Secretary Hagerty during telephone conversations of 9:15 and 10:20 a.m. on July 21. In the course of the second exchange, Dulles had his secretary dictate the text of the proposed statement. (Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”; Eisenhower Library, James C. Hagerty papers) The President and Secretary Dulles discussed the State Department draft by telephone at 11 a.m. Certain changes in wording were agreed to accommodate the views of the President. The President’s office record of that conversation is in the Eisenhower papers, Whitman file at the Eisenhower Library.