Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Geneva Conference, Volume XVI

751G.00/4–2154: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State

secret

Paris, April 21, 1954—8 p.m.

4002. Repeated information Department 951, Saigon 464, Moscow 312. Tripartite working group on Indochina phase at Geneva met this afternoon with Chauvel presiding.¹ Colonel De Brebisson gave military briefing which adds nothing to data already submitted. French conclusions re consequences fall Dien Bien Phu already considered telegrams 3972 (Saigon 458)² and 3986 (Saigon 462)³ April 21 reporting talk with Jacquet while allusions most recent Cambodian problems covered greater detail separate talk this morning Embtel 4001.⁴ Chauvel said Navarre queried re conditions and safeguards necessary implement Laniel March 5 proposals⁵ and Paris hoped have reply Saturday⁶ and would give us details when available.

Chauvel also indicated Bidault was considering desirability taking initiative and making opening political declaration at Geneva stating French aim was defend independence AS against aggression. He said there was feeling this would clearly present French position and would place problem in proper framework. However, such statement would require backing up by US and UK, and Bidault would probably raise with Secretary and Eden Thursday. He said such statement might to [?] into need reestablish peace and tranquility first, following which such questions free elections Vietnam could be taken up, et cetera, Achilles requested draft any such statement when available.

Chauvel also reported Franco-Vietnamese negotiations making progress and confirmed earlier statement Embtel 4001 French inviting Cambodian and Laotian Foreign Ministers Paris quadripartite talks this Saturday with Vietnamese and French. As further thought he said French considering proposing first at Geneva that truce under Red Cross or other impartial supervisor be agreed to by both sides for purpose evacuate wounded from Dien Bien Phu as first test Communist intentions.

In reply to query from Reilly (UK) on participation, Chauvel said French position remained participation beyond big four, AS, Communist China, Thailand and Burma made conference too big. Reilly said he understood this was Eden’s position. Achilles stated our position undetermined beyond that [garble] expressed. Idea was projected that in order avoid “big five” question China be treated as limitrophe state like Burma and Siam if latter invited. Chauvel said nothing new on Vietnamese position beyond what was already reported. French still planned proposed Associated States as full participants though invitation of course depended on four-power agreement.

Finally French read off list unsettled procedural business item C phase as follows:

1. For settlement by four Foreign Ministers

(a) Participants

(b) Method of extending invitations

(c) Chairmanship

(d) Date of opening session on Indochina

2. For four-power settlement at lower level

(a) Official and working languages

(b) Seating arrangements

(c) Distribution of costs

(d) Other procedural points such as convening first meeting

3. For three-power settlement

(a) Participants

(b) Retreat position participants if Soviets reject first position

(c) Establishment secretariat on our side.

Dillon

1. Minutes of conversations transmitted to the Department in despatch 2677 from Paris, Apr. 22, 1954. (751G.00/4–2254)
2. For text, see volume xiii.
3. For text, see ibid.
4. Dated Apr. 21, 1954. The Embassy at Paris reported: “French Government has asked Cambodian and Laotian Foreign Ministers come Paris meet with Vietnamese Foreign Minister (who in Paris now) and French on Saturday, April 24 in order permit French inform three Associated States on tripartite discussions and to go over entire Franco-Associated States position for Geneva. Re participation Associated States in conference, no change in Vietnamese position as indicated previously to Working Group nor is any expected prior opening Geneva conference. It is French view to have representatives three Associated States located in town near Geneva from beginning conference for purpose consultation in event French fail obtain full participation Associated States without participation Viet Minh or, failing that, on different status from latter.” (751G.00/4–2154)
5. Contained in telegram 3240 from Paris, Mar. 6, 1954, p. 435.
6. Apr. 24.