323. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Department of State1
Secto 32. Following is summary of Tripartite Ministers discussion on Far East May 6:
Pineau opened by saying main problem from French viewpoint is that resulting from abolition of French High Command.2 French placed in difficult position as result of their responsibilities under Geneva Agreement. They were pleased with proposals worked out in London to have co-chairmen of Geneva Conference meet and make proposals to French Government to enable it to discharge its responsibilities.3 He expressed gratitude to UK for its efforts in this regard. He said that French Government had received numerous requests from North Vietnam for international conference. It had answered that conference useless in view of South Vietnam and U.S. unwillingness to attend. He thought there should be common viewpoint on this matter.
Pineau said that proposed solution to be communicated French Government (of which however it had not yet received official text) involved one problem. Application of military clauses and political clauses were not clearly distinguished, which might cause trouble with Diem whose cooperation was essential. He thought instructions to UK representative (Stephenson) should deal with this point on basis to be worked out by mutual agreement. He asked Secretary’s views on willingness of Diem to cooperate with respect to ICC.
Secretary said that he was not up to date on situation. When he stopped at Saigon after Karachi meeting a month ago, statement to be made by Diem had been worked out which had been practically agreed. In effect, Diem would have agreed to give effect to military clauses of armistice agreement and to protect ICC. He did not know what had happened subsequently to this proposal.
Lloyd said he believed considerable progress had been made in London discussion. Gromyko seemed disposed to abandon idea of international conference. He thought effect of proposed statement was to give Diem benefit of armistice agreement without assuming responsibilities. He had been surprised at moderate reaction of Krishna Menon. Indians would apparently be satisfied with statement that there would be discussion of elections by July, 1957. He [Page 679] thought it desirable to persuade Diem to do something with respect to political aspects. He did not think it was in our interest to have military armistice system break down, which would happen if ICC had to leave, and to have hostilities resumed.
The Secretary said U.S. was in agreement with this thought. Only recent information he had, which he believed British and French knew, related to operation of military mission to deal with equipment turned over by French to Vietnam Government. He had discussed this with Nehru at New Delhi and had obtained Nehru’s agreement to dispatch of mission. However several days ago Indian representative on ICC had withheld consent on grounds position of ICC was not sufficiently clear. This was disturbing development. Mission was on Pacific coast and ready to depart. He did not know how long its departure could be held up. He understood that there was no objection to sending mission, which had been agreed to by Nehru. Difficulty was lack of clarity as to authority of commission to approve or disapprove its activities.
Secretary said there was one additional point which he had discussed with Pineau on May 3, which related to the command arrangements affecting French training mission. He was informed that agreement had been reached between Hoppenot and Reinhardt in Saigon, and it was hoped to obtain Diem’s agreement to arrangements on Tuesday.4
Pineau said he thought there was general interest in French maintaining base in Indo China. This was only base they had, which it would be foolish to abandon since it was only one permitted under armistice agreement. However, logistic support was required which he thought was reconcilable with requirements of training mission.
Secretary said he had not spoken of this point but of command arrangements which he understood had been agreed. Pineau said this was also his understanding.