396.1 GE/7–1754: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation 1

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Tosec 565. From Secretary for Under Secretary. Does Secto 6372 fourth paragraph mean that Eden has given away position which [Page 1430] Mendes-France took in Paris, namely that he was willing to have Communist state on Control Commission without veto, or unanimity if no Communist state a member, but he would not take both a Communist state and unanimity rule?

Your Secto 6393 received. It may be useful for you to bear in mind that Executive has no Constitutional power to give “guarantee”. This can only be done by treaty, ratification of which would surely be rejected. Executive can only reaffirm in relation to Indochina its general undertakings expressed in UN Charter.

Am fearful Eden will try to push Mendes-France into agreement far short of 7 Points which will confront us with dilemma of either agreeing to “respect” it or repudiation which might involve our responsibility for breakup. This precisely result which I apprehended and fully discussed with Mendes-France Paris and I must count on him to strive to protect both our countries against consequences of this Communist maneuver which Eden might unwittingly abet.

Dulles
  1. Drafted by the Secretary of State.
  2. Dated July 17, p. 1421.
  3. Supra .