110.11 DU/5–454: Telegram
Dulles–Dinh Meeting, Geneva, May 2, Evening: The Under Secretary of State (Smith) to the Department of State
Dulte 50. Repeated information Saigon 25, Paris 182. Secretary, evening May 2nd received Vietnam Foreign Minister Dinh presented by Ambassador Heath. Dinh stated that Bao Dai had arrived at decision that Vietnam must participate in conference and would interpose no objection to Viet Minh being invited to Geneva. Vietnamese Government could not expose itself to accusation of sabotaging an international effort to find a peaceful solution of Indochina war by refusing to participate in negotiations although his government had no great hopes of their success. His government was definitely resolved to resist any proposal of partition whether at 16th, 20th or any other parallel. It would likewise refuse any proposal affecting integrity of regime, i.e., coalition government with Viet Minh. If such proposals were agreed upon by other participants, Vietnamese delegation would withdraw from conference. Secretary inquired whether that meant Vietnamese Government would prefer to have conference break up without reaching agreement, regrettable as that would be, rather than accept a proposal which would not really bring a lasting peaceful settlement. Dinh replied emphatically in affirmative. Secretary then inquired as to will of Vietnamese Government and people to continue fight if a peaceful solution were not reached in Geneva, observing that any nation determined in decision to preserve its independence would find friends and allies but would find none if there was no will to continue struggle. Dinh replied that government and people were resolved to continue fight.
Reverting to question of partition, Secretary observed that there was hardly case in history where people of country had themselves proposed or agreed to territorial partition. Partition proposals came from foreigners. He inquired whether Ho Chi Minh could logically propose partition since allegedly he was fighting for independence and territorial integrity of Viet Minh. Dinh replied that Viet Minh could not logically recommend partition.
Dinh went on to say that one Vietnamese hope was that discussions at conference would tend to induce non–Communist elements of Viet Minh to break away from Ho Chi Minh.
Dinh expressed regret at Secretary’s departure and Secretary explained that he had been absent most of this year and it was necessary to renew his consultations with Congress. Dinh remarked that while American executive might have difficulties with Congress, Vietnamese Government was in even a more difficult position because there was [Page 667] no Congress. It was obliged before inaugurating new measures to consult opinion of numerous political groups who were without organizational responsibility or legal standing.