Office of the Historian

751G.02/12–1854: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Pakistan1

secret
priority
Washington, December 21, 1954—6:32 p.m.

815. Karachi 830.2 If public announcement not yet made of GOP de facto recognition state of Viet-Nam and “Democratic Republic Viet-Nam” you should urgently inform Foreign Office orally of the following:

The U.S. appreciates being notified of the contemplated recognition by the GOP of the Communist regime in Tonkin. Over forty Free World powers have recognized Cambodia, Laos and Viet-Nam but none have as yet extended even de facto recognition to the Communist Viet Minh movement. Only the Soviet and the Communist satellites have recognized the latter.

If de facto recognition is extended by GOP to the Viet Minh movement, Pakistan will be the first Free World power to do so. May be of interest to note Viet Minh spurned Yugoslav proffer of recognition in 1950.

Several Asian states, notably Ceylon, Burma, India have extended recognition to Cambodia and Laos, reserving action with respect to Viet-Nam for the time being.

From the point of view of the United States, it would be preferable that the GOP were influenced to follow that course of action rather than the one contemplated.

Embassy Karachi at its discretion may wish consult with UK High [Page 2410] Commissioner regarding separate action his Government may choose take.

Embassy London should inform Foreign Office urgently of above démarche and ask if UK proposes taking any action.

Pakistan Embassy Washington being informed of démarche?.3

Dulles
  1. Drafted by Hoey of PSA. Also sent priority to London as 3327, to Saigon as 2528, and to Paris for information via pouch.↩
  2. Telegram 830 from Karachi, Dec. 18, reporting the intention of the Government of Pakistan to grant de facto recognition to the governments of north and south Vietnam, is not printed. (751G.02/12–1854)↩
  3. In telegram 846 from Karachi, Dec. 22, the Embassy reported that the Government of Pakistan had publicly announced de jure recognition of Laos and Cambodia, and de facto recognition of north and south Vietnam on Dec. 21. (751G.02/12–2254)↩