751G.5/7–1752: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
secret
Saigon, July 17, 1952—7
p.m.
131. Brit Min Graves tells me Letourneau‘s visit July 11–13 as Malcolm MacDonald’s guest during Fr cultural week in Singapore was enjoyed by Letourneau (Letourneau confirmed this to me) and enlightening for Brit.
- 1.
- Letourneau told Malcolm MacDonald his trip to States was successful far beyond his expectations and those of Fr Govt both as regards material results achieved and cordial understanding of Fr probs encountered. He had expected difficulties at Pentagon but on contrary found sympathetic appreciation. He was lavish in his praise, Graves said, of Secy, State Dept officials and of this Emb.
- 2.
- Graves said Letourneau enlightened—and disquieted—MacDonald and other officials with his statements re Fr milit plans in IC. By end of 1954 Letourneau told them Viet Natl Army wld have strength equivalent to eight divs. This was maximum which cld be formed and supported by Fr and Viet treasuries combined. On other hand Fr Expeditionary Forces wld be sizeably reduced by 1954. Letourneau did not however give figs for proposed reduction. In 1953 maintenance for expanded Viet Army wld cost total of 125 billion francs (roughly $365 million) which Viet Treasury cld furnish 18 billion francs leaving France to advance 107 billion fr (roughly $314 million). In 1954 expense of maintenance of Viet Army might easily exceed 125 billion fr.
- 3.
- Brit inquired re future Fr milit operations and asked specifically why Fr did not take over Thanh Hoa. Letourneau replied he was not going to order such operations involving “loss of life of Fr boys” until he was convinced Viet Govt cld hold and administer newly liberated areas. Graves said Letourneau left definite impression in Singapore there wld be no large-scale milit offensive beyond present Franco-Viet [Page 222] periphery; Letourneau did not have “victory psychology” that De Lattre had. Graves thought Letourneau saw sitn as “holding operation” with hope of wearing down VN. Graves added his personal view that Salan (Fr commander-in-chief) did not have “victory psychology” and wld not oppose Fr DefMin requests for reduction of Fr Expeditionary Forces. Altogether Graves said as result Letourneau‘s visit Singapore fears that milit position of IC in 1954 will be significantly weaker than at present.
Heath