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

751G.13/12–2051: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State

secret

Paris, December 20, 1951—8 p. m.

3706. Jessup,¹ accompanied by Sprouse,² called on PriMin Tran Van Huu this morning pursuant to latter’s request see him before Huu’s departure for Saigon today. After exchange courtesies Huu made fol comments:

1. Huu satisfied with results mtg HC French Union although all Vietnamese theses not accepted. Important thing was acceptance of principle of HC as consultative body, not executive, in which no vote taken and whose decisions not binding unless common agreement reached.

2. In view unstable French Govt majority and serious problems lacing French Govt Vietnamese did not wish to [increase?] French difficulties. While Huu did not look with favor on quadripartite arrangements, such as institute of issue and customs union, it was recognized that failure to carry through on such arrangements wld require revision previous accords concluded with France. It was realized that present was no time to confront French Nat Assembly with supp action, particularly when French expenditures IC were important point in consideration budgetary questions Natl Assembly.

3. Unless Chi threat to IC materialized in form Chi aggression cross IC border, milit sit shld develop favorably and peace cld be achieved within year to 18 months. Chi Commie assistance so far limited to advisers and matériel and no indications participation Chi Commie soldiers on Viet Minh side. Polit situation [garble] satisfactory and prestige of Vietnamese Govt had increased considerably, due in part to Vietnamese participation San Francisco conf and Huu’s reception of Pres Truman.³ Huu had been given enthusiastic reception upon his return from San Francisco indicating enthusiasm of Vietnamese people at Vietnamese achievements on international plane. Present govt popular with people and many Vietnamese intellectuals here had expressed to him their approval his policies.

4. No decision yet reached with respect Assoc States representation Paris. Huu had come with specific instructions from Bao Dai that Vietnamese rep here be Amb. Proposal had now been made (presumably by French) that Assoc States rep here have title “Ministry permanent” but Huu cld take no action in this regard pending further discussion with Bao Dai.

5. Huu hoped steps cld be taken in near future name Vietnamese Min to Washington. Field was limited by desirability having some one who cld speak English and every person he had suggested to Bao Dai had been so far unsatisfactory to latter. It was possible that Min Fin Vinh might be appointed.

Altho it had been anticipated that Huu wld bring up question [U.S. Gov’t?] position re Vietnamese admission to UN, Huu did not raise matter and subj was not discussed.

Dept pass Saigon, sent Dept 3656, rptd info Saigon 206, London unnumbered.

Bruce

1. Ambassador at Large Jessup was a member of the U.S. Delegation to the Sixth Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly held at Paris, November 6, 1951–February 5, 1952.
2. Philip D. Sprouse, First Secretary, U.S. Embassy in France.
3. President Truman and Prime Minister Huu met very briefly at San Francisco. Huu also paid a courtesy call at the White House on September 13, accompanied by Crown Prince Savang of Laos. No records of these meetings have been found in the Department of State files.