751G.00/10–2454: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1
priority
1499. Eyes only Ambassador from Acting Secretary. Re Paris 1718 to Dept rptd 218 Saigon.2 We sincerely hope there is no real misunderstanding with French over letter to Diem. We have not violated understandings of September 27–29. We have done no more than carry them out in good faith, they are still in full standing, and should so remain. We note Mendes did not specify what he meant by violation. For two months we have conceived of letters to Cambodian and Vietnamese Governments as official US notification of policy on direct aid. After US–French agreements on that policy September 27–29, we have proceeded with implementing steps including first the delivery of these letters. They are the preliminary step on our side to carry out paragraph three the US–French understanding of September 29 re direct aid.
Following are pertinent developments re letter for your use as required.
- 1.
- Letter to Vietnamese Prime Minister taken up with French in August here and Paris (Deptel 610 to Paris rptd info Saigon 6363 contains Secretary’s letter to Mendes).
- 2.
- At end first plenary session of US–French talks on September 27 General Smith specifically brought up letters to Cambodia and Vietnam. After referring to his earlier discussion with Bonnet Smith stated letter to Vietnam could go “in view of what we have decided here”. LaChambre indicated no objection.4
- 3.
- Policy direct aid, including military training and assistance, came up several times during talks. French did not object to this policy. Cambodian Ambassador asked for specific confirmation in final plenary on direct US channel to three Associated States on both economic and military aid; Robertson gave it.5 Final communiqué as [Page 2172] well as minute of understanding confirmed this in writing.6 In addition minute stated agreed position on supporting Diem and opposing Viet Minh.
- 4.
- Accordingly, we have since authorized Heath, and he has requested, to deliver letter so that we could begin carry out agreed policy on direct aid and open discussions both Paris and Saigon on detailed implementing arrangements. Such official notification to Cambodia and Vietnam preliminary prerequisite such implementation as well as important statement to each state on this policy. These efforts could contribute concretely to ameliorate political situation there.
- 5.
- We have had official inquiries from both governments re our plans and intentions on direct aid. Further delay in answering Vietnamese, particularly after prior notification to Cambodia, was beginning to be embarrassing.
We want to clarify this matter immediately and satisfactorily with the French, for we feel the September understandings and a common approach remain significant and essential re all three states. It would be unfortunate if there were any “fundamental misunderstanding regarding agreements reached at Washington”. We have not been aware of one at the governmental level at least. If there are to be basic changes in French policy on dealing with Ho following Sainteny’s talk with LaChambre, or in French views on Free Vietnam such as Mendes and Daridan have intimated, then there may be differences. These may well appear following LaChambre’s return.
French Embassy here has no information about his visit or his current views. Neither has Department.
We will see Embassy representative tomorrow. Consideration will be given to sending someone to Paris as required.
Secretary arriving Washington noon Monday.7
- Drafted by Young of PSA. Repeated priority to Saigon for information as telegram 1703.↩
- Dated Oct. 24, p. 2168.↩
- Dated Aug. 18, p. 1957.↩
- The meeting under reference is summarized in telegram 1138 to Paris, Sept. 28, p. 2082.↩
- The final plenary meeting is summarized in telegram Tosec 7 to London, Sept. 30, p. 2098.↩
- For the final communiqué, Sept. 29, see p. 2097. For the minute of understanding, see Tosec 8 to London, Sept. 30, p. 2100.↩
- Oct. 25.↩