Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 306
Memorandum by the Adviser to the United States
Delegation (Dwan)1
confidential
[Geneva, July 19, 1954.]
Comments On Vietminh Draft
Armistice Agreement For Vietnam2
- 1.
- Vietminh draft is based on French draft, follows its
organization, and in many cases borrows whole paragraphs.
- 2.
- It establishes a single military demarcation line but does not
say where.
- 3.
- It requires transfer of all forces of both sides to their
respective sides of the line within 180 days. (French draft
provides for 380 days.)
- 4.
- It omits any reference to intermediate regroupment zones as
French draft covers so completely, and calls instead for
withdrawal in two stages—air and naval forces and two-thirds of
the ground forces during first three months, balance in last
three months. Draft leaves up to the representatives of the two
commands on the spot to work out further details.
- 5.
- It provides that turnover of civil authority between each side
begins at the outset of the withdrawal and transfer of troops,
specifically requiring that such transfer of civil
administration of Hanoi be completed within 60 days and of
Haiphong within 180 days.
- 6.
- It permits transfer of civilians from one zone to the
other.
- 7.
- It prohibits introduction into Vietnam of reinforcing military
personnel (although permitting individual and small unit
rotation), except during 180 day period of evacuation.
- 8.
- It prohibits introduction of reinforcing arms and ammunition
(but permits piece for piece replacement only during period
between completion of transfer of forces and withdrawal of
foreign forces).
- 9.
- Neutral control commission to observe and inspect reliefs and
replacements at specific ports of entry.
- 10.
- It prohibits creation of new military bases, and reinforcement
of existing bases, and reestablishment of old bases.
Draft is exceedingly vague on details and phasing of regroupment of
forces, leaving details to two commanders to work out. It appears
constructed so as to permit the spirit of the agreement to be
violated through imprecision of the letter.
It calls for transfer of forces in a time period less than that
French say is needed to evacuate Delta in orderly fashion.
[Attachment]
Summary Of Provisions Of Vietminh Draft
Armistice Proposal For Vietnam
Demarcation Line and
Demilitarized Zones
- 1.
- Provides for provisional military
demarcation line and 10-kilometer demilitarized zone.
- 2.
- Location of line to be indicated on attached map.3
- 3.
- Forces of both sides to be regrouped on either side of the
line within 180 days after armistice comes into
effect.
Principles for Implementation
of Armistice Agreement
- 1.
- Establishes principle of simultaneous ceasefire throughout
all Indochina as of (blank) hour and date.
- 2.
- Requires conference to establish a schedule for the
meeting in Indochina of representatives of the two opposing
commands who will handle operations connected with the
cessation of hostilities.
- 3.
- Pending general elections for unification of Vietnam,
civil administration in each regroupment zone to be
conducted by the side regrouping therein. (Comment: question of elections not mentioned in
French draft.)
- 4.
- Transfer of civil administration from one party to the
other to begin at the outset of the withdrawals and to be
completed when the withdrawal is completed. Specifically,
transfer of civil administration of Hanoi to Vietminh must
be completed within at least 60 days from date armistice
comes into effect; that for Haiphong within 180 days. (Comment: French draft provides that
civil administration remain in hands of one side until all
its forces are withdrawn from zone concerned.)
- 5.
- Prohibits reprisals against persons and organizations
having collaborated with other side during hostilities and
guarantee of their democratic liberties.
- 6.
- Between time armistice enters into effect and completion
of transfers of troops, civilians desiring to move from the
zone of one side to the zone of the other will be authorized
and assisted to do so by the authorities of zone in which
they are now living.
- 7.
- Withdrawals of forces and equipment to be made by sector
or province in the following order: all combat aircraft,
naval units, and two-thirds of the ground forces to be
evacuated in the first three months; the balance of forces
and supplies to be totally evacuated in the last three
months.
- 8.
- The Joint Commission and the neutral control commission to
observe measures guaranteeing security of the forces during
withdrawals and transfers.
- 9.
- A meeting of the representatives of the two high commands
in Indochina will determine specific conditions for
withdrawals and transfers according to the above
principles.
Prohibition of the
Introduction of New Troops, Military Personnel, Arms and New
Ammunition, and the Question of Military Bases
- 1.
- All reinforcing troops and additional military personnel
prohibited from entering Vietnam after the ceasefire.
- 2.
- Arrival of individual military personnel into Vietnam for
temporary duty and return to Vietnam of individual military
personnel after short periods of leave or temporary duty
outside Vietnam to be authorized under the following
conditions: relief of units and personnel not authorized
during evacuation period of 180 days; term “relief” means
replacement of units or personnel by other units of the same
echelon or of other personnel arriving in Vietnam for
military
[Page 1447]
service
there; relief units not to be larger than battalion size or
equivalent naval and air units; relief to be man for man and
no more than 1000 men to be admitted within any one month;
units and personnel to enter and leave Vietnam only at
points set forth below; neutral control commission, through
its inspection teams, to observe and inspect reliefs at
locations mentioned below.
- 3.
- Introduction of reinforcing armaments and ammunition and
other war materials into Vietnam is prohibited, such as
combat aircraft, naval units, artillery, recoilless weapons,
armored vehicles, etc.; piece for piece replacement
permitted between completion of transfer of forces to
withdrawal of all foreign forces; neutral control
commission, through its inspection teams, to observe and
inspect these replacements.
- 4.
- From proclamation of ceasefire, creation of new military
bases (naval and air) and construction work on existing
military bases and restoration of bases will be
prohibited.
- 5.
- Points of entry and exit for relief personnel and
equipment (to be defined later).
POW and Civilian
Internees
- 1.
- Vietnamese nationals, French and other nationalities, to
be liberated within period of (blank) days from effective
date of armistice.
- 2.
- Term “civilian internees” to include those arrested and
detained for having contributed to armed or political
struggle between the sides.
Additional Provisions
- 1.
- Commanders of both sides to accord protection and
assistance to Joint Commission and the neutral nations
control commission.
- 2.
- Expenses of the commissions to be shared, etc.
