751J.00/4–2653: Telegram
The Chargé at Saigon (McClintock) to the Department of State
2006. Repeated information Paris (for Secretary) 313, Hanoi unnumbered. Barrage of problems arising from invasion Laos, Cambodian King’s New Yorh Times interview and tensions in Vietnam as result Viet Minh military initiative has come at time when absence Letourneau has been conducive to rudderless atmosphere in French officialdom similar to that described last paragraph Embtel 1446, January 24 to Department repeated Paris 218 and pouched Hanoi.1 In this situation there is need for dynamic political action to counteract depressing effect of military withdrawals to infuse a spirit of confidence in Governments of AS, and to produce a sense of progress.
We believe that announcement adoption decrees relative to reorganization French administrative structure in IC affords to French excellent opportunity to make number graceful gestures with view to exploiting what has been publicized as new order in AS.2 French could well emphasize that reorganization is concrete manifestation [Page 511] confidence in AS Governments and institutions and demonstrate in day to day contacts with peoples AS that new day has indeed come in character of relationship between respective countries. French might publicly announce date for relinquishment Norodom Palace which presumably has been decided in principle (Embtel 1700, February 28 to Department pouched Paris and Hanoi).3
We understand that Gautier, Risterucci and De Pereyra are leading candidates for position High Commissioner. In fact, Offroy said as much yesterday. It would be psychological mistake to name to High Commissionerships these men who are in eyes of peoples of AS so intimately associated with a regime for which they have deep emotional antipathy. Men who are not handicapped by taint of Colonialism should be appointed.4
French military reverses have had a sobering effect on Vietnamese leaders who appear to be more conscious that many props up to now provided by French may be disappearing. We feel that in this situation, French would be well advised quickly to pass on to Vietnamese Government increasing responsibilities.
For its part, the Vietnamese Government, in order to bolster itself for these responsibilities, should take steps to gain increased popular support. Prompt implementation of Tam’s plans for agricultural reforms and elections (Embtels 1989 to Department April 23 repeated Paris 301,5 and 2003 to Department April 25 repeated Paris 310) are steps in right direction.
Reliable French source indicates that many aspects administrative reorganization not yet firm and that genuine changes are being resisted so strongly by vested interests that there is grave possibility no real modifications will ensue. If this were to take place, it would torpedo publicized reorganization and once more justify IC mistrust French bona fides.
We suggest Secretary may wish to discuss with French urgent necessity of taking imaginative political action and ascertain what definite steps if any are contemplated by French along these lines.
- Not printed.↩
- On Apr. 22, it was announced in Paris that the Council of Ministers had decided to appoint three High Commissioners to the three Associated States and a Commissioner-General responsible for defense, economic, and cultural matters with respect to Indochina as a whole. Jean Letourneau, Minister for the Associated States and High Commissioner in Indochina, was designated provisional Commissioner-General. For the decrees on the reorganization of French representation, published on Apr. 27, see L’Année Politique, 1953, pp. 574–576.↩
- Not printed.↩
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In telegram 2016 from Saigon, Apr. 27, McClintock stated the following: “Last night Gautier told me that he had been appointed French High Commissioner to Vietnam and that De Pereyra and Risterucci had received similar appointments to Laos and Cambodia.
“Letourneau as expected will for time being become Commissioner General.
“By these appointments French Government has negated political opportunity which formed subject Embtel 2006, April 25 [26], repeated Paris 313.” (751G.00/4–2753)
↩ - See footnote 1, p. 504.↩