790.00/8–3050: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
1066. Second day prelim tripart discussions covered Item VI (Far East Problems).2 Brit considered situation SEA improved; Burma showing strength; Siam making bolder anti-commie effort; confidence justified re Indonesia in spite present instability. Hopeful success Briggs’ Plan in Malaya,3 designed to control all Malaya by late ’51. Noted relative lack recent VM activity Indochina. Brit do not believe Chi Commie will embark on aggression on any part of SEA but will continue foment internal unrest. Commie aggression Korea caused hardening of anti-commie opinion in SEA therefore necessary intensify our efforts and convince SEA our determination to make them strong and independent. Brit stressed necessity economic aid for Asia and made fol statement:
“In the long run the economic development of South and South-East Asia wld contribute not only to the welfare of SEA, but also to the balance of world trade by developing sources of raw materials for the US and Europe so giving Eur an opportunity to earn by trade with SEA dollars spent there to buy raw materials for the US. But, in the short term, US dollar aid is also needed in direct form to enable the necessary development work to go forward fast enough. We hope, in this connexion, that any aid will be given so far as possible in an untied form so that WE may have an opportunity to earn some of these dollars by themselves supplying the capital and other developmental goods on which the dollars may be spent.”
Brit also stressed importance of rice stability SEA and their difficulties in equitable distribution. Brit also stressed necessity three govs strengthening social and cultural link between SEA and West and combating Commie front organizations.
Brit concluded: 1) IC should be considered principal problem in area, 2) Briggs plan must succeed. 3) Brit and US shld continue furnish military aid Siam and Burma. 4) Urgency implementing plans for economic aid. 5) Adequate rice supplies in area necessitating cooperation SCAP.
[Page 136]Fr expressed disappointment re results Bangkok Committee on smuggling.4 Claimed Siamese unwilling to check contraband. Recited list of powers given to Assoc States and reviewed Pau Conf achievements. Reported some improvement Cochinchina, Tonkin Indochina and increased control rice production thereby. Mentioned heavy Fr losses last 5 years and said at present 240,000 Fr and Viet troops against VM. They believe this sufficient to withstand VM attack. However, Fr equipment worn out and needs US aid to keep fighting.
Fr consider Chi Commie attack likely. Brit Rep thought it unlikely. Fr stated economic assistance shd be complementary to military aid and that counterpart funds shd be used for this purpose to avoid inflation. Fr requested increase in direct military aid to IC. He said Alphand5 would request an additional 200 billion francs necessary to meet additional burden Chi Commie attack. Also request coordinated survey to determine necessary action when Commie attack occurs. Also brought up question of tactical aircraft assistance as well as an aircraft carrier and improvement airfield.6
Ref UN question Fr stated they cannot accept mediation in IC affairs as this would put Fr and Assoc States on same footing as VM. They would be willing to refer matter to SC if Chi Commie attack.
US Rep presented our views on IC and SEA which are known to Emb.
Brit had fol comments on IC. Brit do not believe Chi Commie want to clash with Fr and Chi intervention therefore will not go beyond indirect support, training, supplies, etc.
Afternoon session devoted Formosa, Korea. Neither Fr nor Brit had any final or fixed position with regard to either items. Their positions generally similar to that of US.
Above merely highlights extensive discussion.
- Repeated to London as 1132.↩
- Reference is to conversations occurring prior to the New York conference of the Foreign Ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, September 12–19, which is described in the editorial note on p. 141.↩
- Reference is to antiguerrilla operations under the direction of Lt. Gen. Sir Harold Briggs.↩
- Regarding the establishment of the committee, see telegram 536 from Bangkok, June 17, p. 102.↩
- Hervé Alphand, Deputy French Representative on the North Atlantic Council.↩
- For information on French requests for United States assistance in support operations in Indochina, see pp. 690 ff.↩