NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
TELEGRAM
TOP SECRET
PRIORITY
| SENT TO: | Amconsul GENEVA TEDUL 178 |
| Rpt to | Amembassy, PARIS 4476 |
| Amembassy, SAIGON 2551 | |
| Amembassy, LONDON FOR MERCHANT AND DILLON 6684 | |
| EYES ONLY FOR AMBASSADORS |
Ambassador bonnet came to see Secretary Dulles Wednesday afternoon and raised question of participation of US Marines Indochina. He said he had received telegram from Maurice Schumann expressing excitement and dismay at information from Valluy that Radford had said there was no rpt no question of utilization Marines Indochina. Ambassador said this conflicted with what French Govt had hitherto understood to be intentions US Govt this respect. He further stated suggestion made by Radford to Valluy that three Korean divisions might be used in Indochina was unacceptable.
Secretary said US position had been clear from start and that we were not rpt not willing to make commitment ahead of time which French could use for internal political maneuvering or negotiating at Geneva and which would represent a kind of permanent option on US intervention if it suited their purpose. A month ago, French had been explicitly informed conditions which must be met and fulfilled by them before President took decision whether to go to Congress and ask for authority use American armed forces in relation Indochina. Among these conditions was need for French and Associated States to request US and certain other interested countries to come in. We were still in dark as to what French intentions really were.
(signed)
Douglas MacArthur
EUR - Mr. Barbour
