NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
CONFIDENTIAL
-2- SECTO 654, July 18, 11 p.m. (SECTION ONE OF TWO), from Geneva
continue.
Describing situation as it appeared to him, Molotov noted that drafts for agreements on cessation of hostilities in Vietnam and Laos had been presented to conference. Two drafts would be available today. The same was also true for Cambodia. He hoped parties concerned would display goodwill necessary to agree on unresolved points in these drafts.
Molotov noted also were two drafts of Geneva conference declaration dealing with important political matters.
Two drafts have also been presented concerning the question of international control pertaining to implementation of the agreements. Question of control commission has long beet discussed and Molotov felt that final agreement on this subject would not (repeat not) require great deal of time.
Molotov concluded by saying that he had made these observations in order to give general picture of the conference at present and that his remarks were naturally not (repeat not) complete. He believed that today's meeting could make progress re the questions under discussion and would contribute to solution of problems facing conference.
After long pause Tran Van Do (Vietnam) spoke next, saying he had learned this morning that today's meeting was to view final declaration of Geneva conference. In order to avoid any misunderstanding, he wished to state firmly that Vietnam del could no (repeat not) associate itself with any discussion of this declaration. Vietnam position based on following points
1. Vietnam does not agree to conditions advanced for cessation of hostilities.
2. Vietnam delegation has not (repeat not) as yet advanced proposals on behalf of Vietnam Government for solution of problem based on principles of peace, independence and unity.
With regard point number one, Do referred to French draft of July 16 of conference declaration (SECTO 628 repeated Paris 74, Saigon 46). This draft spoke of division of Vietnam into zones. For example, article 6 said settlement must permit Vietnamese people enjoy fundamental liberties guaranteed by democratic institutions formed following free elections.
