396.1 GE/3–2754: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
3573. Repeated information London 852, Saigon 406. Chauvel and Lacoste advised us this morning that they were just beginning organized substantive preparation for Geneva although still without any definite Cabinet guidance. They said they would welcome any indications, however informal or preliminary, as to US thinking with respect to Indochina phase of conference as of assistance to them in formulating recommendations as to French position.
There are certain questions, partially procedural and partially substantive, on which they would particularly welcome our thinking. One was states to be included for Indochina phase. If, as they thought might be desirable west wished Thailand and Australia included, and USSR wished to have India and Indonesia, participants would be numerous. In these circumstances what would be US view concerning some sort of working sessions limited to representatives of five-powers? Chauvel said one possible way of meeting problem of Associated States-Viet Minh representation would be to follow UN procedure of having anyone of them called by chairman to participate on ad hoc basis rather than full participation at all sessions. He would welcome our reaction.
They have made similar approach to British.
In view of present fluid nature and early stage of French thinking, believe it would be to our advantage communicate as much preliminary US thinking as we can as soon as possible without waiting for such tripartite talks as may be agreed upon.