396.1 GE/5–1554: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State
Secto 223. Repeated information Saigon 79, Paris 273. Reference Saigon telegram to Geneva 96, repeated information Department 2372.1 Heath, Achilles and Bonsal discussed with Chauvel, Roux and Cheysson of the French delegation today, the deteriorating political situation in Vietnam and the advisability of Bao Dai’s returning to take over the reins of government. The French said that their reports noted political deterioration, but thought the answer was for Prime Minister Buu Loc to return forthwith to Saigon. They were inclined to doubt that Bao Dai’s return would immediately change the situation for the better. In any case, they felt it very important, from their point of view, that Bao Dai stay in the neighborhood of delegation in Geneva as otherwise the Vietnamese delegation would hold up decisions and discussions at every point while they awaited instructions from Bao Dai. The Vietnam delegation has firm instructions to take no position without prior authorization from Bao Dai.
- For summary of telegram 2372 from Saigon, May 13, see footnote 2, p. 800.↩