Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Vietnam, Volume I

322. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Department of State¹

Paris, May 3, 1956—10 a.m.

Secto 3. Subject: Bilateral talks May 2 with French: Far East.

1. Pineau opened by saying that French were firmly against reconvening Geneva conference on Indochina as it would serve no point with US and Vietnam absent. He said France was willing maintain her responsibilities under armistice agreement on an ad hoc basis provided it proved possible work out some agreement with Vietnamese for them to share in this responsibility.

2. Pineau then mentioned military negotiations with Vietnamese. He said French were very desirous maintaining Seno base and pointed out importance of this base in strengthening position of Lao Government. To maintain this base it would be necessary have transit and docking facilities Saigon. In practice this would mean maintenance of naval arsenal at Saigon so that there would be facilities available to repair and provision French ships. Pineau said French had made suggestion along this line to Vietnamese 2 weeks ago and had not yet received any reply.

3. Pineau said General Williams had assembled the French officers who had been working for TRIM and had told them that since TRIM was going out of existence as of April 28, their services were no longer required and that they should leave promptly.² Pineau said that this might have been technically correct but he did not think it had been a very tactful way to handle this matter. Pineau then raised the question of command and said that US was insisting on an overall US command that would prevent direct access by French naval and air training elements to Vietnamese Government. He said French felt this was not acceptable and that what he wished was a small French element in a joint staff. He did not seem to question at all propriety of a preponderance of US influence in such a staff but felt strongly French should have some representation on it. The Secretary replied he was not familiar with either of these two subjects. Would promptly ask for information from Washington. (Information contained Saigon 4351 repeated Paris 696³ had not yet reached French.)

4. North Vietnam. Pineau said there had been no change in situation and French had no intention having diplomatic relations with North Vietnam. They planned continue their economic and cultural mission as in past, and had offered Viet Minh right to have similar mission Paris. This offer had not as yet been accepted by Viet Minh. Secretary said commercial mission risked assuming diplomatic character.

5. Cambodia. Pineau expressed pleasure our recent letter regarding aid for Cambodia. He said French heartily approved our action in assisting Cambodia and hoped we would continue on our present course. He said that while great patience was required in dealing with Cambodians, they were fundamentally friendly.

In closing Pineau stressed that the 2 really important matters were the Saigon naval arsenal and the command problem.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751G.5–MSP/5–356. Secret. Repeated for information to Saigon, Vientiane, and London. Dulles was in Paris for North Atlantic Council ministerial meetings. May 4–5.
2. Williams denied this according to telegram 4395 from Saigon, May 5. (Ibid., 751G.5/5–556)
3. In this telegram, May 1, the Embassy reported that Hoppenot and his staff were unhappy with a U.S. proposal that Williams become overall coordinator of military training in Vietnam. The Embassy staff believed it was a matter of prestige to the French and planned to suggest informally to the French that they consider a Franco-American-Vietnamese liaison group chaired by Williams. (Ibid., 751G.5–MSP/5–156)