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

43. Telegram From the Chargé in France (Achilles) to the Department of State¹

Paris, February 16, 1955—7 p.m.

3452. Reference Department telegram 2863.² US preliminary views Department telegram 2846³ outlined to Roux (who leaving 19th for Bangkok) at Foreign Office as instructed reference telegram. Minister Economic going over views Department telegram 2846 with Wormser this afternoon.

Roux said they did not feel Department sufficiently informed concerning French proposal and that as consequence detailed exposition being sent Couve today with instructions go over with Department. Roux expressed hope Department would reserve judgement until receipt fuller expression French views this regard. Roux underlined tentative nature French proposal and said government had no idea as yet whether Viet Minh prepared accept this or other proposal. In hour-long conversation, Roux made abundantly clear that maintenance French economic and cultural presence North Vietnam not just Sainteny idea but clearly established French Government position. General line reasoning advanced by Roux in support French position paralleled our analysis set forth Embtel 3394.⁴ French Government, Roux said, intends protect and maintain to extent possible French interests in north. In their view, he said, nothing would be gained if French withdrew, since Chinese or other Communist technicians would be brought in to replace French and carry on operation French industrial installations. On contrary, he said, it in interest free world French remain, thereby lessening Ho’s dependence on Communist orbit. Roux emphasized that Viet Minh has made clear it desires French carry on in north in contrast attitude Diem Government towards French in south and that French believe Viet Minh prepared accept French technical guidance. Roux said French Government did not see contradiction we see in French approach toward North Vietnam on one hand and south on other. He emphasized maintenance French economic and cultural presence north had no political objective such as French assistance given South Vietnamese Government which designed support latter government and help it win elections. Roux pointed out French position towards two zones Vietnam not inconsistent with Geneva settlement.

Roux insisted that basis for compromise could be found once US gained full appreciation French position. In specific reference points contained paragraph 4⁵ Department telegram 2846, Roux expressed hope we would not consider such measures until matter fully explored. With respect reference Ely in paragraph 1 Department telegram 2846, Roux made clear in polite way that French approach North Vietnam fell outside General Ely’s jurisdiction.

We underlined at length to Roux that we considered maintenance French economic interests and cultural influences in north in fundamental contradiction free world effort support South Vietnam, and that problem facing us extended beyond scope terms any formula that might be worked out with Viet Minh to continue French participation industrial establishments in north.

Comment: We feel conversation with Roux confirmed lines our 3394 and particularly our conclusions contained paragraph 4 that telegram. We more than ever convinced French determined maintain French interests in north and that we must approach immediate problem French proposal as only one aspect fundamental problem whether we prepared accept basic lines French approach North Vietnam. We continue believe, therefore, that problem involved might be raised most effectively with French at next ministerial level meeting IC. Re final paragraph Department telegram 2846, we have concluded on basis our contacts with French officials and parliamentarians that French policy maintain French economic and cultural position North Vietnam has broad support extending beyond Mendes, his entourage, his government, and that Sainteny only implementing, not making this policy.

Achilles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751G.00/2–1655. Secret. Repeated for information to Saigon and Hanoi.
2. In this telegram, February 14, the Department instructed the Embassy to make known to the French its preliminary views (as set forth in telegram 2846, February 11, cited in footnote 3 below) on proposed French Government participation with the North Vietnamese in mixed companies (such as coalmining, shipping, shipbuilding) in which the Vietnamese would hold the majority share and the former French interests a minority one while providing managerial and technical functions. (Ibid., 751G.00/2–1455)
3. In this telegram, February 11, the Department set forth its preliminary view on mixed companies as follows: such a plan contradicted professed French support for South Vietnam and joint U.S.-French policies there; it represented wishful thinking as expropriation would come after the 1956 elections; it would adversely affect French interests in the rest of Indochina, among other allies, and with the U.S. public and Congress; and finally, it would hinder South Vietnam’s chances in the 1956 elections. (Ibid., 451G.519/2–755)
4. Not found in Department of State files.
5. In this paragraph, the Embassy was instructed to inform the French that the Department did not believe that these mixed companies would qualify as “western installations” and thus be exempt from restrictions of the Paris Consultative Group (of which France was a member) set up to control trade of strategic materials with Communist countries.