Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part-V-B-3b.djvu/434

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
OUTGOING
TELEGRAM
Department of State
02127
1954 JUL 7 PM 8 03

SECRET
——————————————
Classification


SENT TO: Amembassy PARIS 77
RPTD INFO: Amembassy LONDON 127
Amembassy SAIGON 67
Amcongen GENEVATOSEC 523


Re EMBTEL 50

We see no real conflict between paragraphs 4 and 5 US-UK terms. We realize of course that even agreement which appears to meet all seven points cannot constitute guarantee that Indochina will not one day pass into Communist hands. Seven points are intended provide best chance that this shall not happen. This will require observance of criteria not merely in the letter but in the spirit. Thus since undoubtedly true that elections might eventually mean unification Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh this makes it all more important they should be only held as long after cease-fire agreement as possible and in conditions free form intimidation to give democratic elements best chance. We believe important that no date should be set now and especially that no conditions should be accepted by French which would have direct or indirect effect of preventing effective international supervision of agreement ensuring political as well as military guarantees. Also note paragraph 3 of President

Drafted byS:JFD:sg7/7/54
EUR/WE:WTyler:RMcBridge:ab

C - Mr. MacArthur
FE - Mr. Sturm
EUR (Mr. Merchant in draft)
616


SECRET
——————————————
Classification