751G.00/5–854: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
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[Received 6:58 a.m.]
4267. Repeated niact Geneva 195. For Secretary from Dillon. Since US Government was unable to respond to French request for military assistance to save Dien Bien Phu, it is now essential to our position here that we give full support to French in the only course now available, namely, the negotiation of best possible settlement at Geneva. This means that we must be prepared to associate ourselves fully with settlement. Any other course of action on our part will appear utterly illogical to all Frenchmen, will seriously affect our already damaged prestige and can be expected to have adverse repercussions on our NATO and EDC position as far as France is concerned.
This recommendation naturally subject to review if Laniel government should be replaced by a peace at any price government.