851G.01/12–2749: Telegram
The Consul General at Saigon (Abbott) to the Secretary of State
465. Pass Paris.1 Pouched to Hanoi. Assume Department is planning extend recognition Bao Dai Government simultaneously with or immediately after British (Paris telegrams 5366 and 5367, December 22, to Department2). Failure to do so would be interpreted by all circles in Indochina including key fence-sitting element as further evidence that US Government indifferent and irresolute in opposing spread of Communism in SEA. Furthermore, recognition by UK alone would give Communists golden opportunity to feature Bao Dai as puppet of French-British colonialists. If we join, our record in Philippines and Indonesia sufficiently well known to people this area to take edge off such propaganda particularly in neighboring countries.
Success of Bidault in budget vote makes Schuman timetable (Paris telegram 5366) realistic and January 15 would seem probable target date for recognition Bao Dai. Strongly agree with Schuman’s argument that British should recognize Bao Dai before Mao Tse-tung and hope Department will urge British to delay latter. Opening of Colombo conference would seem logical excuse. British Consul General Gibbs who returned Saigon last week has telegraphed London emphasizing importance prior recognition Bao Dai.
It seems likely that there will be an interval of relative calm on Chinese frontier. First threat from retreating Nationalist armies has been successfully avoided. Second threat from Communist armies does not seem immediate. The interval should be used to consolidate position Bao Dai and give his regime international standing as Keystone anti-Communist defense in SEA. Since period calm may well be brief urge:
- (1)
- That decision re recognition Bao Dai should not be delayed until after Bangkok conference.
- (2)
- That at earliest possible moment Bao Dai be informed our plans to avoid possibility his absence on recognition date.
- (3)
- That Embassy Paris continue press Bidault [and] Schuman expedite ratification and emphasize very real danger any further delay.