396.1 GE/6–2054: Telegram

Sixteenth Restricted Session on Indochina, Geneva, June 19, 6:45 p.m.: The United States Delegation to the Department of State1

confidential

Secto 480. Repeated information Paris 466, London 307, Saigon 185, Tokyo 153, Moscow 139, Phnom Penh, Vientiane unnumbered. Tokyo for CINCFE. Department pass Defense. Sixteenth restricted session, Saturday, June 19, Eden presiding.

Chauvel recalled that it had been agreed yesterday that an attempt would be made, on basis Laotian, Cambodian (Secto 4712) and Communist Chinese (Secto 4583) proposals to present to conference a new text. He added that as result of exchanges of views between delegations, subject text was now available which he hoped had general agreement of all delegations and would permit military talks with respect to situation in Laos and Cambodia to begin without delay. Chauvel then read following text:

“With a view to facilitating simultaneous and rapid cessation of hostilities in Indochina, it is proposed that:

(a)
The representatives of commands of two sides shall meet immediately in Geneva or on spot;
(b)
They shall study questions relating to cessation of hostilities, on territories of Cambodia and Laos, beginning with question concerning withdrawal of all foreign armed forces, due regard being had to observations and proposals presented by various delegations at conference;
(c)
They shall report as soon as possible to conference their conclusions and recommendations.”

Molotov stated Chauvel proposal was not same as that submitted earlier to Soviet delegation in that in paragraph b after “foreign armed forces” Soviet text contains “and foreign military personnel”. Soviet delegation clearly under impression this had been agreed.

Chauvel admitted error due to fact text had been shopped around all day. Said he had no objection inclusion Molotov’s words which he thought covered by observations he made yesterday to general effect that any French troops or military personnel in Laos or Cambodia are there on basis agreements with sovereign governments concerned and that French rely on their judgment in matter.

[Page 1201]

Chou En-lai expressed agreement to French proposal with additional Molotov amendment.

Cambodian delegate then rehearsed position his delegation. He accepted French proposal so far as purpose of military talks is concerned on understanding principal purpose withdrawal foreign troops from Cambodia. He agreed to location of talks. With regard to parties to talks, he said they should be Cambodia on one hand and Viet Minh on other. He described complete military independence of Cambodian Government. He said that he could not compromise on fact that parties to military talks would be Cambodia and Viet Minh, adding that if any delegations had idea of getting in other representatives, Cambodian delegate thinks it would not be useful to adopt present text. He referred again, in connection with Molotov amendment, to Cambodia’s need to bring in instructors and experts for young Cambodian Army and spoke of understanding attitude of Chou En-lai. He stated his delegation would be ready to negotiate on conditions for introduction this type military personnel.

Laotian delegate agreed with French text. Regarding simultaneous cease-fire, he expressed hope this could be achieved but that cessation hostilities in Laos as soon as possible would not thereby be prejudiced. He stated withdrawal of foreign troops from Laos would be decisive step toward durable peace. He recalled French Union bonds and presence in Laos of French troops in numbers and at places provided by treaty and also provision of French experts to train National Army in accordance with freely negotiated conventions. These arrangements are necessary for security of Laos.

US delegate made statement set forth in Secto 479.4

Eden stated that it should be clearly understood that any recommendations by military representatives would be brought before conference which would accept, reject or amend them as provided in paragraph (c) of French proposal.

Molotov confirmed understanding his amendment accepted. He said that obviously there were divergent views on many subjects but that purpose was to find something acceptable to all. He said that questions such as those of French officers serving in National Armies of Laos and Cambodia should be clarified in forthcoming military talks, not before. He reminded conference that Chou En-lai had submitted proposals covering matters not already covered by current French proposal on which discussion not completed. He stated Soviet belief that these matters upon which he did not enlarge would also be included in military talks.

[Page 1202]

US delegate asked Molotov to be patient with him as only received French proposal ten minutes ago. He wished to know if Molotov differentiated between officers and non-commissioned of French forces and other foreign troops in Laos and Cambodia. He stated on this point he associated himself with views of Laos and Cambodia. He added that in view of Eden’s statement regarding reference of military recommendations to conference he would not oppose French proposal but wished all to take note of what he had said.

DRV delegate then spoke generally favorably of Laotian statement although it calls for certain reservations. He said Cambodian remarks ignored certain realities, rejected certain essential points (not specified) of Chinese Communist resolution, appeared not inspired by spirit of conciliation and understanding and, through reservations reduced French proposal to something very unilateral and unrealistic. He said US delegate unilateral and unrealistic. He concluded approving French proposal with Soviet amendment and insisting upon wording of paragraph b thereof (he seemed to imply that military representatives could consider other questions relating to cessation of hostilities in Laos and Cambodia beyond withdrawal of foreign armed forces, etc.)

Chauvel pointed out his modest proposal did not pretend to settle all outstanding problems. He stated military representatives would not infringe upon sovereign authority of conference which remains supreme in settling divergencies and making decisions on report of military representatives.

Eden stated that conference would note observations made as being included in those covered by paragraph b of French proposal as modified. He asked whether French proposal could now be considered as accepted by conference as terms of reference for meeting of representatives of commands of both sides.

US delegate stated that he accepted French text as originally proposed, i.e., without Molotov amendment, and that he did not reject the amended text subject to reservations he had formulated.

After a brief recess, Eden submitted text of communiqué in which he included agreed text of French proposal, statement conference would continue in session and request that representatives of commands dealing with Laos and Cambodia submit interim or final report within 21 days. It was also agreed that next meeting be held June 22. (Secto 478 contains full text of communiqué as finally approved.5) Eden said first task of conference next week would be to consider question of international supervision or control.

[Page 1203]

Comment:

(1)
US delegate questioned French, Laotian and Cambodian delegates regarding mechanism for establishing military contacts. They have no ideas.
(2)
US delegate questioned Chauvel regarding fact French proposal does not specify that representatives of commands of two sides are Laos and Viet Minh and Cambodia and Viet Minh. Chauvel stated that he had oral agreement on this point from Soviet and Communist Chinese delegates who stated they had secured similar agreement from Viet Minh. We are worried about this point. We are convinced, however, that Cambodians and Laotians will refuse to meet with overt representatives of resistance movement.
(3)
Chauvel’s tactics apparently aimed at keeping Mendes-France from coming to Geneva in order to talk to Dong and possibly Chou En-lai and others regarding unsettled problems. Agreement on military talks for Laos and Cambodia apparently regarded by Chauvel as a step forward which will make Mendes-France less anxious to hasten here.
Smith
  1. A set of minutes of this session (IC Restricted/16) is in Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 279. The minutes indicate that the meeting convened at 6:45 p.m. and adjourned at 9 p.m. The minutes are also printed in Conférence de Genève, pp. 323–327. The French proposal, Indochina Document IC/39, June 21, is in Conference files, lot 60 D 627. CF 279A.
  2. Dated June 18, p. 1186.
  3. Dated June 17, p. 1162.
  4. Infra.
  5. Dated June 19, p. 1204.