396.1 GE/3–2754: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1
3401. Re Embtel 3573 rptd London 852 Saigon 406.2 You may inform Chauvel and Lacoste along following lines on our preliminary thinking on Indochina phase Geneva Conf:
- 1.
On procedural matters, certain questions have already been discussed with French here, and Paris presumably informed thereon. On important question participation, our thinking has not progressed [Page 492] beyond point that US, UK, France, USSR, Communist China, Associated States would be present. We giving further thought to this in preparation for tripartite discussion at Geneva.
On question five-power working group as proposed by Chauvel, our views were contained Deptel 3340 rptd London 49823 and we remain unalterably opposed to any proposal, procedural or otherwise, which would give Communist China a special status or imply five-power concept.
- 2.
On substance Geneva talks, basic outline US position given in Secretary’s March 29 speech.4
Furthermore, additional US views on substance problem contained Deptel 33535 (pouched London) containing message for Ambassador for use with Bidault and we presume Embassy can make effective use with Chauvel and Lacoste as well of points contained therein.
FYI believe best way to proceed re Indochina phase Geneva is to delay actual discussion procedural and organizational details until after three Ministers have had opportunity discuss substance Indochina problem. Once there is mutual understanding on substance, tactics for organizing Indochina part Geneva should be easier to decide.
At same time we do not want French and/or British to proceed alone or together to develop hard and fast positions. Rely on you therefore to keep close watch on Foreign Office, without stimulating their activities, and to give them sufficient guidance basic US position (as described first part this tel) to cause whatever work they do between now and Geneva to proceed along acceptable lines.