396.1 GE/7–1954: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State
priority
Secto 670. Repeated information Paris 104, Saigon 73. USDel has just received from French Del following draft of articles related to proposed conference declaration (Sectos 628,1 6472 and 6483):
“Draft of unilateral French declaration re withdrawal of French troops (reference: Article 8 of draft declaration): The Government of the French Republic declares that it is prepared to withdraw French troops from the territories of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in agreement with the governments of these states.”
Comment: Previous French draft stated that withdrawal would be at request of governments concerned.
“Draft of unilateral French declaration (reference: Article 9 of draft final declaration): In the settlement of all problems relating to the restoration and the reinforcement of peace in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, the Government of the French Republic will base itself upon respect for the independence and the sovereignty, the unity and the territorial integrity of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.”
Comment: This appears to involve only minor drafting change as compared with previous text of this portion of Article 9.