Editorial Note
At 6 p.m., May 7, 1954, Paris time, Ambassador Dillon delivered the following message from President Eisenhower to French President Coty.
“My dear President Coty
“The entire free world has been inspired by the heroism and stamina displayed by the gallant garrison at Dien Bien Phu. Their devotion and the quality of their resistance have been so great that that battle will forever stand as a symbol of the free world’s determination to resist dictatorial aggression and to sustain its right of self-determination and its dedication to the dignity of the human being. France has in the past suffered temporary defeats, but always she has triumphed in the end to continue as one of the world’s leaders in all things that tend to bring greater richness to the lives of men. Those who fought and died and suffered at Dien Bien Phu should know that no sacrifice of theirs has been in vain; that the free world will remain faithful to the causes for which they have so nobly fought.
“With expressions of my personal regard, Dwight D. Eisenhower” (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1954, page 463)
The letter was released by the White House on May 7. For President Coty’s reply, released May 13, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1954, page 463n.
President Eisenhower also transmitted a similar message to Bao Dai, the Chief of State of Vietnam, who was at Paris, on May 7; for text, see ibid., page 464. For the reply by Bao Dai, released May 13, see ibid., page 464n.
The text of the message from President Eisenhower to President Coty was transmitted to Ambassador Dillon in telegram 3946 to Paris, May 4, for delivery in the event of the fall of Dien Bien Phu. (751G.00/5–454) In telegram 4266 from Paris, May 7, Ambassador Dillon reported that he had delivered the letter to the Elysée at 6 p.m. The message was passed immediately to President Coty and read in the emergency Cabinet meeting then in session. (751G.00/5–754) The letter for Bao Dai was transmitted to Paris in telegram 3979, May 7. (751G.00/5–754) In telegram 4272 from Paris, May 8, Dillon reported delivery of the message that morning. (751G.00/5–854)
Regarding the background of President Eisenhower’s letter to President Coty, see telegram Tedul 7 to Paris, April 24, and telegram Dulte 17 from Paris, April 24, pages 1383 and 1394.