751G.00/7–353: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
priority
52. Repeated information Saigon priority 8, London unnumbered, Phnom Penh 5, Vientiane 3. Roux has given us text of notes handed three High Commissioners Associated States today and which he tells us is being given press this evening for publication tomorrow.1 Following is free translation text:
“Council of Ministers French Republic has met and examined relations of France with Associated States Indochina.
“It considers time has come to adapt accords concluded by them with France to the status that they have known how to acquire with France’s entire support in the community of free peoples.
“Respectful of national traditions and of human liberties, France in course of a cooperation soon a century-old has led Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to full blossoming of their personality and has maintained their national unity.
“By the accords of 1949, France has recognized their independence and they have accepted association with France in French Union.
“Government of Republic desires make today solemn declaration.
“During interval of four years which has passed since signature of accords, the brotherhood of arms has affirmed itself more between the armies of French Union and national armies of Associated States thanks to development of latter who take each day a part more important against common enemy.
“At same time, the civil institutions of three nations have been put in position to resume ensemble of powers incumbent on modern states, while international recognition (“audience”) of their governments has extended to majority of countries who constitute UN.
“France believes (“juge”) that, under these conditions, there is ground for perfecting the independence and sovereignty of Associated States in assuring, in agreement with each one of three interested governments, the transfer of powers (“competences”) that France had still retained in the interest even of the States, by reason of the perilous circumstances arising from state of war.
“The French Government has decided to invite (“convier”) each one of the three governments to come to an agreement (“convenir”) with it on the settlement of the questions that each one of them will consider it ought to pose in economic, financial, judicial, military and political fields, in the respect and the safeguard (“dans le respect et la sauvegarde”) of the legitimate interests of each of the contracting parties.
“Government of Republic expresses wish that an agreement (“entente”) on these different points will tighten the bonds of friendship which unite France and Associated States in French Union.”
Roux states position taken notes represents significant development and is in line with policy advocated for some time by Foreign Office. He points out that it is too early to say what Associated States reaction will be; however, believes Vietnam and Laos attitude will be favorable but that of Cambodia unpredictable. He also states appointment career diplomat Dejean2 Commissioner General Indochina concrete evidence France moving direction tenor notes handed Associated States today.3
- For the official French text, released July 3, see L’Année Politique, 1953, pp. 578–579, or Documents on International Affairs, 1953, pp. 470–471.↩
- Maurice Dejean, Director General for Political Affairs, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1944–1945; Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 1945–1949; Representative to the International Authority for the Ruhr, 1949–1950; Chief of the French Mission to SCAP, Tokyo, 1950–1952; Ambassador to Japan since 1952. Dejean’s appointment as Commissioner General for Indochina was announced on July 3.↩
- In telegram 64 to Paris, July 4, the Department of State instructed Ambassador Dillon to convey to the French Government the Department’s “great pleasure and satisfaction at realistic and forward-looking steps” which France had taken in regard to the Indochina problem. (751G.00/7–353)↩