Office of the Historian

851G.00/12–2954: Telegram

The Consul at Hanoi (Corcoran) to the Department of State

official use only
priority
Hanoi, December 29, 1954—9 a.m.

588. Sent Saigon 737, Paris 266, Taipei 3, Hong Kong 8. Viet Minh radio December 28 and Hanoi papers December 9 announce agreement reached at Peking by Viet Minh Vice Minister Public Works and Chinese Communist Vice Minister Railroads for Chinese Communist aid in restoration railways, irrigation systems, highways, airports and telecommunications North Vietnam as follows:

1.
Viet Minh Government has decided restore railway which joins Hanoi to Dongdang and to prolong it to Chinese frontier at Nam Quan. This project will be entrusted to Chinese engineers. Chinese Communists will furnish locomotives, railroad cars and equipment which Viet Minh need.
2.
Effective January 1, 1955, postal, telephone and telegraph communications will be officially opened between the two countries. Chinese Communists will furnish materials necessary this field.
3.
Likewise, Chinese Communists will export machines needed for highway construction, lubricating oils and materials for garages and tire factories.
4.
Chinese Communists will furnish equipment for airports and weather stations.
5.
Agreement calls for reconstruction 5 irrigation systems destroyed during war. Chinese Communists will furnish necessary machines and materials.

Finally under terms agreement Chinese Communists will send experts and technicians to aid in carrying out these projects.1

Corcoran
  1. In telegram 590 from Hanoi, Dec. 29, Corcoran reported on a demonstration he had witnessed the previous evening. This mass meeting in “Red Square” was a dress rehearsal for a demonstration against “American Imperialism” which would probably occur on Jan. 1. The Consul stated that several thousand individuals had participated, carrying placards, Viet Minh flags, and blue flags with white Picasso doves. (611.51G/12–2954)↩