751G.00/5–3154: Telegram
The Chargé at Saigon (McClintock) to the Department of State
2610. Repeated information Paris 926, Geneva 178. General O’Daniel is growing increasingly unhappy at his inability thus far to start moving on training Vietnamese troops on a divisional basis. He feels that French, including General Ely (Paris 4566),1 are giving [Page 1647] him a polite run-around and likewise is becoming aware of fact that there is no mobilization base for a Vietnamese national army at present and no national leadership to inspire conscripts to move toward colors. General O’Daniel has not yet realized that, of course, during a conference to discuss an armistice and cease-fire, it is always difficult to recruit.
General O’Daniel told me this afternoon that he had informed General Hinh this morning that he would not recommend the approval of any military end item aid for the Vietnamese national army, unless agreement was reached on the training of at least five divisions. He says he will so inform Defense Minister Quat this evening. He did not say where the troops would be found.