Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 2

751G.5/12–3154: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State

top secret
priority

Paris, December 31, 1954—2 p.m.

2770. Repeated information priority Saigon 422. Embtel 2703.¹ We saw Clarac² this morning to inquire re status French Government consideration Collins–Ely memo of understanding on training. We reiterated urgency with which we regarded early resolution this matter and expressed hope that we would be informed French position soonest.

Clarac stated that final meeting on memo had been held LaChambre’s office yesterday afternoon at which Ely present. Clarac said French position has now been formulated and now awaiting Mendes’ consideration. He said principal French objection had been directed form taken by Collins–Ely understanding. French Government did not wish, Clarac said, to present what would appear to Vietnamese Government as signed Franco-American agreement which they in effect had no choice but to carry out. Clarac said they have proposed Mendes that Collins–Ely understanding be redrafted in form Franco-American recommendations for consideration Vietnamese Government. Clarac said that as far as substance Collins–Ely understanding concerned, French have no objections. Understandably, he said, December memo would have to be reworded to take form recommendations as distinguished from tenor Franco-American agreement.

Clarac stated they have also proposed to Mendes that French proposal that Collins–Ely understanding be presented as series of recommendations Vietnamese Government, be transmitted French Embassy Washington to take up with Department. Once final agreement reached Washington, Collins and Ely would be instructed approach Vietnamese Government with recommendations.

Clarac stated that while LaChambre occupied with year-end functions this weekend, he, Clarac, would express to him today our concern this regard. Clarac said that although matter now awaiting Mendes’ consideration, they did not consider it likely that Mendes would be able to get to it before Monday or Tuesday³ next week at earliest. However, Clarac said, they aware urgency with which we view this matter.

We shall follow up on this matter Monday with FonOff and Ministry Associated States.

Since writing above, Clarac has sent word to us that our expression concern this regard was communicated to LaChambre in course of morning and that he, LaChambre, appreciates urgency.

In later call at FonOff this morning, Royere, in Roux’ absence, confirmed what Clarac told us on this score this morning, and has added that they (FonOff) cabling French Embassy Washington this afternoon to inform Department French position on memo of understanding will be presented Department as early possible this coming week.⁴

Dillon

1. Telegram 2703 from Paris, Dec. 27, not printed, summarized a discussion with Roux of the French Foreign Ministry regarding the Ely–Collins memorandum of understanding on training (for text, see telegram 2261 from Saigon, Dec. 14, p. 2366). Roux forecast that the French Government would probably prefer that the substance of the memorandum take the form of a series of recommendations to the Vietnamese Government rather than that of a signed Franco-American understanding. (751G.5/12–2754)
2. The Cabinet Director for Guy La Chambre, Minister for the Associated States.
3. Jan. 3–4, 1955.
4. In telegram 2776 from Paris, Dec. 31, the Embassy expressed the opinion that the French position on the memorandum of understanding was governed by concern for internal political considerations, i.e., fear of domestic opposition to a bilateral agreement for the outright transfer of training functions, as well as by regard for Vietnamese sensibilities. The French position, the Embassy stated, was perhaps the best that could be hoped for under the circumstances. (751G.5/12–3154)