751G.00/3–554: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Achilles) to the Department of State
3205. Repeated information Saigon 358. Limit distribution. In conversation with Senators Bridges and Symington1 yesterday, Pleven stated he returned from IC more optimistic than when he left on military situation but more pessimistic on political picture. Present fighting season should end without significant advantage to either side but next year should bring major improvement if American aid continued, if there were no significant increase in Chinese aid and if Vietnamese army developed as planned. Nevertheless, he considered problems “endless” and saw no prospect of complete military victory and some danger of wars spreading. On political front France was giving full independence but as elsewhere in East indigenous leadership and administrative ability was sadly lacking. Bao Dai was highly intelligent but in no way a dynamic or forceful leader. Inability of political authorities to hold areas liberated by troops caused concern. Symington asked his views on Korean offer of two divisions. Pleven said they would undoubtedly be at least matched by Chinese forces. Symington asked his views as to US backing up Koreans by carrier-based planes using tactical atomic bombs. Pleven said he would prefer to have Secretary say at Geneva that Chinese planes flying over IC would be met by US Air Force. When Symington returned to subject of atomic bombs, Pleven stressed lack of suitable targets.
In response to Bridges’ question as to any possible basis for solution, Pleven said that worst solution would be formation of coalition government containing even minimum number of Viet Minh ministers, which would result in Communist take-over within six months. Also undesirable, but less so, would be splitting of IC between north and south or perhaps giving Viet Minh smaller area in north. In response to Symington question as to what he envisaged at Geneva, Pleven stated it depended primarily on US which held all the trumps and alone could discourage China from aiding Ho. To Symington’s suggestion that Moscow also held some trumps, Pleven expressed the view that China would be more interested in Washington’s cards than in Moscow’s. To Symington’s question as to how France would react to possibility of its turning over war to US and getting out of IC completely, Pleven said that this idea would be most unpalatable since people would ask what their great efforts over last 8 years had been for.
[Page 1097]Symington has asked for memorandum of conversation2 but is being advised some of it too highly classified and high points being telegraphed to Department.