751G.5 MSP/9–1353: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
445. Repeated information Paris 125. Prime Minister Tam has sent us copy of letter dated September 12 to French High Commissioner Vietnam of which text in translation follows:
“Press has just announced that American National Security Council has decided to recommend to Congress grant of an extraordinary contribution of $385 million for Indochina and I do not wish this important [Page 801] news to pass without expressing to you in the name of His Majesty’s Government my appreciation for the diplomatic success obtained by France. I shall be very grateful to you to transmit expression of our gratitude to French Government and particularly to Ministers of Foreign Affairs and National Defense, as-well-as to the Secretary of State to the Presidency charged with relations to Associated States, who have handled discussion with our American friends with such skill. As the result of this fortunate news, we now know that Vietnamese army will be able to carry out its development in 1954 according to the plans established by the Vietnamese General Staff and accepted by Commander-in-Chief. We have also new proof of will of US to help us and to bring to Vietnam total victory of Communism. Coming a few days after recent statements of Mr. Dulles, this indication of American determination acquires unusual value. Having means to carry on and to increase its efforts, independence Vietnam will be able to create the conditions necessary to cause the rebels to abandon a futile struggle and to agree to that peace which we all hope for from the bottom of our hearts”.