Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 288
Memorandum by the Special Adviser to the United States Delegation (Achilles)
The attached letter1 was signed by the Secretary, Eden and Bidault last night and taken to Cannes this morning by air by Mr. Saint Leux of the French Delegation, with instructions to give it to Bao Dai only in exchange for the latter’s written agreement to accept.2 The letter as signed had been rewritten at the Secretary’s request to eliminate a reference in the earlier draft to an invitation to Bao Dai being issued by the “Four Powers” since the subsequent reference to “a similar invitation” being issued to the Vietminh authorities might commit us [Page 621] to participate in an invitation to them. It was made clear to the French that we expected any invitation to the Vietminh to be extended by the Russians and that we would not participate in issuing it.
Not printed. Informal translation of the letter to Bao Dai read:
↩“In order to consult with the Government of Vietnam on the subject of invitations to be given for the conference on Indochina, we ask you to make the following arrangements.
“In view of the urgency to this question we suggest that you send to Geneva a representative of your government furnished with your instructions.
“We ask Your Majesty to accept assurance of our highest considerations.” (Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 288)
- The U.S. Delegation informed the Department of State in telegram Secto 44, Apr. 30, not printed, that the letter had been signed and that it had been delivered to Bao Dai. (396.1 GE/4–3054)↩