396.1 GE/7–2054: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State1
niact
Secto 684. Regarding Secto 667.2 Following is French draft text of conference declaration as furnished by Ambassador Chauvel at 12:45 today and is under discussion at Eden, Mendes, Molotov meeting this afternoon. Hold this text to provide basis for telephone call to Secretary when report is received of changes resulting from that meeting.
- “1. The conference takes note of the agreements which terminate hostilities in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and which organize international control and supervision of the implementation of the provisions of these agreements.
- “2. The conference congratulates itself on the termination of hostilities in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; and expresses the conviction that the placing in effect of the provisions contemplated in this declaration and in the agreements on the cessation of hostilities will permit Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to assume hereafter their role in the peaceful community of nations in full independence and sovereignty.
- “3. The conference takes note of the declarations made by the governments of Cambodia and Laos with reference to their intent of adopting measures which will permit all citizens to take their place in the national community, especially by participating in the next general elections which, in accordance with the constitutions of each of [Page 1475] these countries, will take place in the course of the year 1955 with secret ballot and with respect for fundamental liberties.
- “4. The conference takes note of the articles in the agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Vietnam prohibiting the entering into Vietnam of foreign troops and military personnel as well as of all arms and munitions. It also takes note of the declarations made by the governments of Cambodia and Laos concerning their determination not to request foreign aid and materials, personnel or instructors except in the interest of the defense of their territory and within the limits fixed by the agreements on the cessation of hostilities.
- “5. The conference takes note of the articles in the agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Vietnam according to which no military base depending from a foreign state can be established in the regrouping zones of the two sides, it being the duty of the latter to see to it that the zones attributed to them do not become a part of any military alliance and are not used for the resumption of hostilities or in the service of an aggressive policy. It also takes note of the declarations of the governments of Laos and Cambodia in accordance with which these governments will not join in any agreement with other states if this agreement involves the obligation to participate in a military alliance which is not in conformity with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations or with the principles of the agreements on cessation of hostilities in Indochina or to establish basis for the military forces of foreign powers on Laotian or Cambodian territory.
- “6. The conference notes that the agreement concerning Vietnam has as its essential goal the settlement of military questions in order to put an end to hostilities and that the military demarcation line cannot in any way be interpreted as constituting a political or territorial boundary. It expresses the conviction that the placing in effect of the provisions contemplated in this declaration and in the agreement on the cessation of hostilities creates the necessary premises for realizing in the near future a political settlement in Vietnam.
- “7. The conference declares that, so far as Vietnam is concerned, the settlement of the political problems, to be effectuated on the basis of respect for the principles of the independence, of the unity and of the territorial integrity, must permit the Vietnamese people to enjoy the fundamental liberties guaranteed by democratic institutions formed as a result of free general elections with secret ballot. In order that the restoration of peace may have made sufficient progress and that all the conditions be present which are necessary to permit the free expression of the national will, the general elections will take place on July 20, 1956, under the control of an international commission composed of representatives of the states which are members of the commission for control and observation contemplated in the agreement on the cessation of hostilities. Consultations on this subject may take place between the competent representative authorities of the two zones beginning July 20, 1955.
- “8. The provisions of the agreements on the cessation of hostilities meant to assure the protection of persons and property must be applied in the strictest fashion and particularly must permit everyone in Vietnam to decide freely as to the zone where he wishes to live.
- “9. The conference takes note of the agreement which has been made to take note (constater) of the fact that, in accordance with the declaration of the Government of the French Republic, the latter will withdraw its troops from the territories of Cambodia, of Laos and of Vietnam at the request of the governments concerned and within the periods which will be fixed in agreement with those governments, except for those cases where, in accordance with provisions of the agreements on the cessation of hostilities, a certain quantity of French troops may be left in agreed points and for agreed periods.
- “10. The conference takes note of the declaration of the French Government according to which, for the settlement of all the problems related to the restoration and strengthening of peace in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam the French Government will base itself upon respect for the independence and the sovereignty, the unity and territorial integrity of the governments of Cambodia, of Laos and of Vietnam.”
In their relations with Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, [each] of the members of the Geneva conference undertakes to respect the sovereignty and the independence, the unity and the territorial integrity of the said states and to refrain from any interference in their internal affairs.
- “11. The members of the conference agree to consult together on any question which may be transmitted to them by the International Control Commissions, in order to study the measures (USSR: Collective) (FR-UK: … or individual) which might appear necessary to insure observance of the agreements on the cessation of hostilities in Indochina.”
Note—following additional sentence agreed but precise place it will be inserted in body declaration not known:
“The competent representative authorities of the northern and southern zones of Vietnam as well as the authorities of Laos and Cambodia must not permit individual or collective persecution of persons, or members of their families, who had collaborated in any way with one or the other side during the war.”