396.1 GE/6–454
Memorandum from the Special Adviser to the United States Delegation (Heath) to the Head of the Delegation (Smith)1
secret
Geneva, June 4, 1954.
Subject:
- Meeting of the Six on Indochina this Morning.
- 1.
- The British and French representatives advanced the thought that Chou En-lai’s address yesterday represented a slight concession from the Vietminh representatives’ proposal, in that Chou En-lai recognized that the Neutral Commission could also take cognizance of violations of the armistice agreement although it would have no authority or superiority over the mixed commissions. This view was not shared by other Delegations. Ambassador Chauvel suggested, however, that perhaps Molotov is having trouble coordinating his people
- 2.
- This afternoon, both Eden and Bidault may seek clarifications of certain statements made by Chou En-lai and Dong yesterday with particular reference to discrepancies between them.
- 3.
- The Cambodians may make some brief statements rejecting Chou En-lai’s proposal that the international mechanism control the nonintroduction of troops and war material into Cambodia after the cessation of hostilities. However, the Cambodian Delegation has a fairly long speech almost prepared which it may deliver this afternoon or may wait for the plenary. (We should get the plenary organized as soon as possible.)
- 4.
- The meeting was given some interesting information regarding Krishna Menon’s calls on the representatives of the Associated States (telegram being drafted).2 Menon, who only called on the Associated States Delegations after the Cambodian Delegate had expressed to the press his great surprise at the absence of such visits, showed great ignorance of the political situation of the three countries. He wants an international control of the introduction of troops and arms into all three countries and an immediate cease-fire. His idea of a court of last resort in the event of serious violations of the cessation of hostilities arrangements in Indochina would be the Four Great Powers who would presumably consult together and take appropriate measures; the alternative would be World War. Menon indicated that India was ready to participate in the enforcement of an armistice in Indochina. The Cambodian Ambassador added that his Delegation’s enthusiasm for having India in the Control Commission had been “greatly tempered” by Menon’s call. Menon suggested to the Laotian Delegation that they consent to Vietminh troops remaining in a small area in Laos. The Vietnamese Delegate said that the Foreign Minister had a two hour talk with Menon of which he did not have a full report but the Vietnamese Foreign Minister had taken Indian policy to date to task as favoring the Vietminh rather than the legitimate government of Vietnam. Vietnamese Delegate said that before accepting India in any capacity in Indochinese affairs, he would like to feel India was neutral and not merely neutralist.