396.1 GE/7–1454: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State
priority
Secto 607. Repeated information priority Paris 58, Saigon 34. Offroy, French delegate, states that Do has received strong telegram from Diem urging that Hanoi, Haiphong and the Bishoprics be retained for Vietnam in current negotiations regarding military regroupings. In consequence, Offroy tells us Do is planning to issue rather strong public statement designed to give impression of serious divergences between France and Vietnam. Offroy states Do believes this approach would be good tactics although not entirely realistic. Offroy fears result may be to exacerbate anti-French sentiment in Vietnam and perhaps cause difficulties there, although he recognizes possibility that appearance of serious difficulties between France and Vietnam may help negotiating position vis-à-vis Viet Minh.