396.1 GE/4–154: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
secret
Paris, April 1, 1954—8
p.m.
3654. Repeated information London 878, Saigon 408. Embtel 35731 and Deptel 3401.2 Chauvel convened Achilles and Reilly of British Embassy this afternoon to inquire as to Washington and London’s views on question he had raised last week. Occasion was taken to convey substance of Deptel 3401 and to emphasize appropriate passages of Secretary’s speech3 and Deptel 3353.4
[Page 493]- (1)
- On participation Chauvel stated Bidault hoped number of participants can be held to absolute minimum. Thailand and Burma could, if necessary, be included as limitrophe states without opening way for others, but French would prefer not to have Australia since this would open way for participation of Indonesia and others. British supported Australian participation but understood that neither India nor Burma wished to attend. UK also believed Associated States should be full participants and that Chauvel’s suggestion of inviting them on ad hoc basis might reflect on their full sovereignty.
- (2)
- British stated Hammarskjold during recent visit to London had sought invitation to send personal representative as observer. British thought this would raise considerable and needless difficulties and proposed advising him that it would be discussed at Geneva and that, in any event, he could be kept appropriately informed through Western channels. French saw legitimate UN interest in Korean phase but none in Indochina phase and disliked idea of SG having “personal” representation. Achilles doubted Washington would favor Hammarskjold proposal.
- (3)
- Chauvel expressed hope tripartite talks at expert level could be held before Easter beginning as soon as possible after April 6. Reilly said Dennis Allen would represent UK in any such talks and would be available at any time after April 12. Achilles expressed views in Deptel 3401. Chauvel felt strongly tripartite unity would be at least as important at Geneva as it had been at Berlin and that it would be far better to have three powers ascertain in advance what differences might exist between them and endeavor to work them out in advance rather than to have them crop out at Geneva where Russians could take greater advantage of them. Reilly subsequently told Achilles that Eden was strongly of this opinion.
- (4)
- Chauvel will be in Bern until April 6 but requested Reilly and Achilles to meet with him again on date for further discussion.
Dillon