751G.00/12–650: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
3218. Embtel 3196, December 5 (repeated Saigon 240).1 General Delattre de Tassigny2 called by appointment today to tell me his appointment as High Commissioner IC with full military and civil [Page 942] powers had been approved but that no announcement could be made pending receipt UK approval his being given leave from Fontainebleau post, which would be held by his deputy during his absence. All other Brussels treaty powers, he said, had approved.
During conversation Delattre made following comments: Pignon will leave IC and take important government position but he hoped that Pignon would stay briefly in order have appropriate farewell ceremony for him. He expects to leave December 15 with Letourneau for IC. One of principal objectives of policy will be to impress upon Associated States they will be given full measure independence with[in] French Union and in order give concrete evidence thereof he will do everything in his power build up Vietnam national army immediately. From military standpoint it is extremely important Tonkin be held and one of his chief reliances in critical situation will be closest possible liaison with US Government officials Heath, Gullion, Blum and Brink, of whom Pignon spoke highly. While not sufficiently informed of military situation at present he did know greatest need was for aircraft and one aircraft carrier.
When I referred to possible Vietnamese apprehension re appointment military officer with civil powers, Delattre said that as result Pau conference agreements and March 8 accords civil duties he might have aside from those as army commander were relatively unimportant. He rationalized that civil powers were so small that it was unnecessary have high civil official exercise them. He explained that he would have in his cabinet representative in charge civil affairs.
I brought up question close liaison with US officials IC and he emphasized he would maintain closest possible liaison and would see that Americans were kept thoroughly informed of what he was doing. He emphasized his friendship for US.
It should be noted that Delattre has been uniformly friendly to Embassy. In conversation today with Embassy officer, who has known him on close personal basis for several years, he made point of emphasizing his desire for US confidence and support, indeed necessity thereof, as with this confidence and support he would have chance of succeeding in IC and in absence of which he would fail. He also stressed this general idea in his conversation with me. Delattre further informed Embassy officer he expected modification government decree extending powers Minister Associated States since this grant of powers had been under discussion for several weeks and, even though just officially decreed, had been overtaken by events.
Delattre expects Pignon to leave shortly and implication was Carpentier would also leave.
[Page 943]Department pass Saigon. Sent Department 3218; repeated info Saigon 242, London 784.