751G.00/7–254: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1

top secret

39. ReDeptel 4852, June 28; Saigon 2746; Geneva 489.2 It seems to me that new Vietnamese Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem, who has reputation of uncompromising nationalist, is quite in the dark about developments critically affecting country he is trying to lead. We fear that if results of French negotiations with Communists are revealed to him as a fait accompli, the very reaction French wish to avoid will result.

You should therefore indicate our concern to the French and ascertain their own intentions with respect to consulting him or minimizing his resentment and their views with respect to plans and prospects for maintaining order in South Vietnam.

Dulles
  1. Drafted by Gullion of S/P and by Sturm of FE. Repeated to Saigon as telegram 31 and to Geneva as telegram 9.
  2. Dated June 28, p. 1257.