751G.00/7–253: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
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22. Repeated information niact Saigon 2 for Heath. Eyes only for the Secretary. Saw Laniel this morning in accordance instructions Deptel 15.1 He called in Reynaud who took leading part during entire course of conference. Reynaud now in over-all charge of Associated States’ matters assisted by a Secretary of State and elements of former Ministry of AS. Reynaud’s office is in Hotel Matignon next to Laniel.
In view of way conversation developed I limited my message to expression of grave concern on part of United States over possibility of incidents between troops and did not make any suggestions for alleviation of situation along lines mentioned as possibility in penultimate paragraph reftel. In view of new French policy outlined below I do not believe United States should take any further action for time being.
Reynaud said that French Government fully aware of seriousness of situation and Cabinet has met twice recently on subject. Final meeting scheduled for tonight. Reynaud also said French Government planned issue statement within 24 hours promising full and complete independence and sovereignty to all three Associated States. This would naturally include right of each state to decide for itself whether or not it would remain in French Union. Wording of statement is naturally difficult task and is reason for series of Cabinet meetings on this subject. Extreme importance of keeping matter absolutely confidential and preventing any possible leak prior to Government’s announcement in Paris is evident. Whole program might be upset by leak giving impression that French were acting under pressure from United States. At this time only handful of top ministerial level officials in French Government knows of this decision.
[Page 631]Reynaud said French Government recognized wave of nationalism sweeping Asia could not be opposed and that independence was question of all or nothing. This is motivating factor in French decision.
Reynaud felt sure Vietnam and Laos would remain on in French Union but was not sure about Cambodia which owes much less to France and depends less on French assistance.
Regarding troops in Cambodia Reynaud repeated same story as outlined in Embtel 8, July 12 except that he did not know exact composition of battalions sent in as reinforcements and specifically stated that there might be Vietnamese units among these battalions.
Reynaud felt French declaration should clear air both in Indochina and in United States. He was very much interested in impression statement would make in United States. I feel you should be prepared to issue statement very promptly expressing our pleasure at this new constructive step and giving our wholehearted support to French on basis this new policy. This presupposes that statement when issued is as described to me and set forth above.
Reynaud, however, still has some reservation about situation in Cambodia which he considers to be characterized by high emotional excitement whipped up by Buddhist bonzes. He feels that leaders are prepared for national suicide if necessary and draws direct comparison between Norodom and Syngman Rhee. He remarked that Rhee and Norodom were apparently the two most popular figures in all Indochina because they were actively opposing Western powers.
French Government will welcome all help possible from United States in calming Cambodians after statement regarding independence has been released.
We shall cable later precise time when declaration will be made here and whether or not it will incorporate any substantive changes from statement made to me this morning by Reynaud in presence of Laniel.