396.1 GE/4–2654: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Department of State
priority
Secto 11. Repeated information London 72, Paris 120, Moscow 28. At meeting this afternoon with Eden and Bidault called at latter’s request at his villa, Bidault informed us that he had received a reply to his letter to Molotov suggesting that the three of us meet with him to consider composition of conference on Indochina. Gist of reply was that this matter should be discussed by Foreign Ministers of five powers. In final sentence, however, Molotov expressed willingness to see Bidault alone. Bidault suggested 11 morning April 27 and Molotov has agreed to call on him then. At that meeting he will seek avoid five power issue by suggesting that he deal with Molotov for procedural matters for Indochina conference in same fashion Eden represented three Western powers in arranging procedural set up for Korean Conference here today. Bidault said that he planned confine any discussion to procedural matters and would base his proposals on paper tripartitely agreed by experts.1
- Not printed.↩