751G.00/8–1054: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
507. Repeated information Paris 181, Hanoi unnumbered. General Ely tells me he will probably leave Wednesday evening, August 11, for Paris.
He said he is willing to stay on in Saigon if in Paris he learns that Mendes-France Government will pursue loyal, clear policy vis-à-vis remaining Vietnam. If not, he will ask to be relieved.
His idea of policy to be pursued is to write off North Vietnam, at least for a long time to come, and to write off possibility of there being “free” national elections in 1956. There must be no “flirtation” with Viet Minh. Independence of retained Vietnam must be absolute. He hopes that international pact can be arranged to guarantee security of remaining Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and that there will be international military consultation and cooperation to that end in which he would have role to play.
He very definitely indicated that he would like French to retain completely training mission for Cambodian army and of course Laotian army. With regard to training Vietnamese army, he would greatly welcome American participation and has directed General Gazounaud, who heads French training mission, to consult with General O’Daniel. He states that if there is possibility that US will transform MAAG into training mission, he would advise against negotiations therefor on governmental level. He said that should Washington decide to participate in training, O’Daniel should be so informed, and he and O’Daniel would work it out here on ground quickly. If negotiations were on governmental level there would be [Page 1932] delay and complications. He felt sure that if conditions were agreed to in principle here, French Government would accept them.