751G.11/3–2453: Telegram
The Chargé at Saigon (McClintock) to the Department of State
1840. Dept pass Defense, Pusan. Rptd info Tokyo 53, Paris 259, Pusan 6. Following his interview March 20 with Bao Dai, General Clark said that despite views expressed by Letourneau (Embtel 1721, March 4, Deptel 1812, March 10, Pusan telegram 1106 to Department March 4),1 he thought considerable benefit might be derived from a visit by Bao Dai to Korea. As Clark put it, “We might be able to shame him into being useful.” General added that, if it should be decided to extend Bao Dai an invitation, this should properly come from President Rhee.2
At termination his highly successful four day tour of Indochina, in which he made an outstandingly good impression, General Clark announced to press that he had invited Generals Salan and Linares as well as Vietnamese Chief of Staff General Hinh, to visit him in Tokyo and to inspect situation in Korea. He will likewise accelerate visit here of training team mission as follow-up to recent Franco–Vietnamese training team visit to Korea.