851G.01/9–2749: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Saigon
162. Re penultimate para urtel 306 Sep 27, Dept pouching near future full text conversations re Indochina which took place prior [Page 83] to and during recent visit Schuman and Bevin to Washington.1 Schuman told Secy and Bevin Fr Assembly, convening Oct 18, would take up Mar 8 Agreement in several weeks, probably Nov. However, he made no ref supplementary accords (Dept had been given understand prior Schuman’s visit that Fr intended package Mar 8 accord, supplementary agreements thereunder, and June 5, 1948, declaration for Assembly approval, and has no firm indication that Fr plans this particular have changed).
During tripartite conversations, Secy and Bevin pressed Schuman to (1) push ratification as much as possible, (2) transfer Indochina from Overseas France to FonOff (3) make further concessions particularly field international relations. Schuman indicated (1) Fr considering transfer Indochina to FonOff but felt no move possible until after Assembly approval Mar 8 Agreement, (2) he considered Mar 8 agreement as only one step in evolution Indochina problem.
Bevin pointed out that Brit would, after Fr Assembly approval Mar 8 Agreement, talk with South Asian nations on support Bao Dai, and Secy thought US might be helpful also at that time. Both felt recognition Vietnam should first come from South Asian nations.
- Infra.↩