751G.00/4–2154: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
3985. Repeated information Saigon 461. Heath, Bonsal and Embassy officer called on Vietnam Foreign Minister, Chargé d’Affaires in Paris, and Vice Premier Vinh last evening. They verified fact that for all practical purposes basic Franco-Vietnamese negotiations had now been concluded. Foreign Minister stated that French had accepted Vietnam’s revolutionary suggestions in spite of fact they were contrary to French constitution itself. He spoke appreciatively of problems French Government faced in Parliament and public opinion in doing so. There would be two treaties, first declaring Vietnam’s independence and second setting the manner of future association between two countries. Treaties will not actually be signed until the economic and financial conventions are also ready but they believed that arrangement could be made to make statement before Geneva conference that negotiations had been successfully concluded.1
Foreign Minister spoke at length of Vietnamese concerns at participating in Geneva conference if Viet Minh were also to be present. Favored Chauvel solution of compromise formula wherein states and Viet Minh could both be participants but would only take part when called and would not be called at same time. Vietnamese made it clear they intended to be present in Geneva area whether participating in conference or not.
Bao Dai arrived Paris and asked see Ambassador Heath today. It is hoped determine Vietnamese official position on participation Geneva as result that interview.
- On Apr. 28, France and the State of Vietnam issued a joint declaration at Paris affirming their agreement to regulate their mutual relations on the basis of two treaties, one providing for total independence for Vietnam the other defining the terms of their association within the French Union. The treaties were not initialed until June and were never ratified. For information on French views, see telegram 3972 from Paris, Apr. 21, in volume xiii.↩