Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI, Part 1

C.F.M. Files: Lot M–88: Washington Foreign Ministers Meeting, 1951

Minutes of the Seventh Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, Washington, September 14, 1951, 4 p.m.

Washington, September 14, 1951, 4 p.m.

[Extract]

secret
Tripartite Min–7

	Members
	Mr. Acheson (U.S.)
	Mr. Morrison (U.K.)
	M. Schuman (Fr.)
	Also Present
U.S.	U.K.	France
Mr. Jessup	Sir Oliver Franks1	M. Baeyens3
Mr. Merchant	Sir Pierson Dixon2	M. Alphand

Contents

Middle East Command	1
Far East (Korea)	3
Indochina	3

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Indochina

5. M. Schuman said that he desired to report briefly on the situation in Indochina. The military situation was much improved after many setbacks last year. General de Lattre had reestablished the position from a political and pschological point of view. The latter was particularly important from the standpoint of the Indochinese. France was taking steps to implement its agreement with the Associated States and was assisting in the development of the armies of the States. Mobilization had been decided upon and would occur after October 1. The main responsibility of the forces of the Associated States would be the defense of the interior. The French Army would be responsible for the area in the north. The situation in the northern area worried them. They did not know what the nature of Chinese intervention would be. If an armistice was reached in Korea, this would increase the danger, because Chinese “volunteers” would be freed for action against Indochina. If this occurred it would create a new situation affecting the interests of all three powers in the area. The three countries should keep in close contact and should carry out consultations similar to those held at the Singapore Conference. The French Government strongly believed such consultations should be continued and before a crisis arrived. He said that, finally, he would like to ask for the conclusions of the US and UK regarding the Singapore Conference. He did not expect an immediate answer. He said the Conference had made recommendations of a military nature which France had accepted, but he did not know if the US and UK had.

6. Mr. Morrison expressed appreciation for M. Schuman’s outline and said he was glad to hear that the military situation was improved. He desired to express on behalf of his people their admiration for the French effort in Indochina and particularly for the achievements of General de Lattre. He had noted M. Schuman’s wish for further tripartite military talks and would consult his government. The conclusions of the Singapore Conference were under consideration at the present time by the British Chiefs as were some of the other points raised by M. Schuman. He desired to say he was wholeheartedly behind the general approach but could not be more specific at this juncture.

7. Mr. Acheson said that the United States regarded as of vital importance the operations in Indochina. It was of great importance that the area be held. While the Ministers were in Ottawa,⁴ United States Government representatives, including the Secretary of Defense, would be working with de Lattre and considering problems of the type mentioned by M. Schuman. The Department of Defense had been discussing a number of problems with French military representatives in Washington and had raised some technical questions, the answers to which were now being sought in Paris. The economic problems of Indochina would also be discussed while General de Lattre was in this country. M. Schuman said he wanted to thank his colleagues for their consideration and understanding of the Indochina problem and for their kind words regarding General de Lattre. He very much appreciated their recognition of Indochina as a part of the common cause.

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1. British Ambassador in the United States.
3. Jacques Baeyens, Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. British Deputy Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
4. The Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization met at Ottawa from September 16 to September 20. Documentation on the Ottawa conference is scheduled for publication in volume iii.