Office of the Historian

251G.51G22/8–1754: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France1

secret
Washington, August 19, 1954—3:25 p.m.

625. We deeply concerned with refugee situation depicted Saigon telegram 613 repeated Paris 212.2

You are instructed immediately call upon Minister for Relations with Associated States and say we are making immediate representations to Vietnamese Government indicating that in return for our aid in assisting to transport evacuees from Tonkin we expect comparable performance from Vietnamese Government. You should recall to M. La Chambre France also has officially requested US aid this regard. Reports reaching us from Saigon indicate “French do not move until specifically requested” and that French are giving first priority to evacuation French troops and their families. Express view orally US feels French have moral obligation do more than they are now undertaking not only to move refugees but to assist Vietnamese Government in their reception and resettlement. You should add it is clear that only organization really competent undertake measures to deal with this mass migration is French Army on spot and we shall be much surprised if General Ely as Commander in Chief does not take immediate steps meet this situation.

Dulles
  1. Drafted by McClintock of FE. Repeated for information to Saigon as 653, to Manila as 643, to Tokyo as 374, and to Hanoi as 216.↩
  2. Dated Aug. 17, p. 1951.↩