396.1 GE/7–1954: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State
priority
Secto 675. Repeated information Paris 107, Saigon 76. At Mendes-France–Eden meeting with Chou this afternoon, Chou very considerably modified demands with regard to Laos set forth Secto 663.1 He agreed to retention of French bases in Laos, provided French turn base at Xieng Khouang over to Laotians and establish substitute base in southern part of Laos. French state this entirely agreeable to them as they for some time have considered moving base elsewhere.
Chou also dropped his demand for any joint administration. He proposed regrouping points for Pathet Lao forces be established in northeast provinces. French more optimistic over possibility agreement on Laos.