751G.00/11–2750: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Legation in Saigon
649. Urtel 950 Nov 27. Leg entirely correct in assumption that “econ liberty important in eyes Viets and that willingness for Fr [Page 940] maintain preferred position Viet economy vis-à-vis other fon countries.” Moreover Dept of conviction econ as well as polit relations between France, Fr Union and autonomous states must ultimately rest upon a voluntary basis. In this connection Dept has in mind precedent established in analogous (certainly not identical) relationship established under round-table agreement between Netherlands and Indonesia whereby all legitimate Dutch econ interests in Indonesia were accorded at least same treatment as other fon interests in accordance Standard usages internatl relations and applicable internatl agreements and in some instances a preferred relationship when agreed to be in interest both countries. Essence this entire arrangement both in its econ and polit aspects has been its voluntary character. So far, in spite of some serious reversals, Dutch-Indonesian econ relations under the round-table agreements have been mutually very beneficial. It is this type arrangement Dept had in mind when it made reference Deptel 555 to Saigon to “protection Fr econ interests IC.”
In connection foregoing matter Dept wld be interested Leg’s comments on conclusion Pau Conference particularly matters reported Paris 3001 Nov 27 to Dept rptd Saigon as 222.1
Legtel 951 Nov 271 will be answered promptly in consonance foregoing.