790.5/4–154: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1
5090. FYI We were disturbed at Berlin by Eden’s position on Indochina which was in effect that this was problem between US and [Page 1203] France, with UK standing on sidelines as an uninterested party, situation which actually encouraged French seek negotiated settlement.2 This was not only unhelpful but unrealistic, since if Indochina goes, Malaya, Australia, and New Zealand will be directly threatened (areas where UK has definite responsibilities), as will be Burma, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and over period of time Japan and whole offshore island chain.
It seems to us one of best ways keep French from taking any steps which might prove disastrous re Indochina is for US and UK have solid alignment and let French know we will not only not be party to but will actively oppose any solution of any kind which directly or indirectly in near future or over period of time could lead to loss Indochina to Communists. To bring UK to greater recognition its own responsibilities, we are talking very frankly to Australians and New Zealanders here regarding problem (which involves their vital security) in hope they will press British stand firmly with us on above fundamental principles. Secretary also is calling in Makins (who is absent from town) April 2 and will impress upon him forcefully our views. End FYI.
With above in mind and following Secretary’s talk with Makins which will be reported to you, you should see Eden and reiterate to him our position along following lines:
- 1.
- We clearly understood from Bidault at Berlin that our agreement to discuss Indochina at Geneva was on condition France would not agree to any arrangement which would directly or indirectly result turnover area to Communists. We presume British because of vital security interests in area as well as their role in free world would solidly support this position.
- 2.
- Our views on any special position for Communist China at Geneva have already been made clear (Deptel 4982 repeated Paris as 3340).3
- 3.
- Our basic position on Communist China is contained in Secretary’s March 29 speech of which you should give copy to Eden if you have not already, particularly emphasizing eighth paragraph from end in which is contained following sentence: “We shall not however be disposed to give Communist China what it wants from us merely to buy its promises of future good behavior.”
- 4.
- Insofar as development US position is concerned, our preliminary views on substance and procedure contained numbered paragraphs 1 and 2 Deptel 3401 to Paris (repeated London 5067, Saigon 1814)4 and these views should also be conveyed Eden.
- 5.
- We believe it essential at this time have understanding above basic points on which we would hope for strong British support with French.
- 6.
- Re foregoing, Deptel 3353 to Paris repeated London as 5079 also provides further guidance.5
- Drafted by Douglas MacArthur II, Counselor of the Department, and Robert McBride, the Officer in Charge of French-Iberian Affairs. Repeated for information to Paris as telegram 3418 and to Saigon as telegram 1821.↩
- For Eden’s account of U.S.-U.K.-French discussions regarding Indochina during the period January—April 1954, see Sir Anthony Eden (Lord Avon), Full Circle (Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1960), pp. 96–124.↩
- For text of telegram 4982 to London, Mar. 26, see vol. xvi, p. 484.↩
- For text of telegram 3401 to Paris, Mar. 31, see ibid., p. 491.↩
- For text of telegram 3353 to Paris, Mar. 27, see vol. xvi, p. 485.↩