Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Vietnam, Volume I

142. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Embassy in France¹

Washington, April 27, 1955—6:40 p.m.

3830. Paris 4671.² Embassy representative when he calls on Bao Dai 28th should tell him:

1. We are conveying our views urgently to French on 28th. We feel necessary have French assurances and cooperation to ensure success of Government of Vietnam.

2. After Embassy representative at Cannes is informed by Embassy Paris that Deptel 3828³ has been outlined to French and that they concur, and Embassy has proceeded to transmit to French substance of Deptel 3829,⁴ only then Embassy representative should convey gist of both telegrams to Bao Dai. In doing so he should omit any reference appearing to indicate a minimizing of Bao Dai’s role. Regarding steps outlined Deptel 3829 he should not refer to Quat and Do by name. Main emphasis should be on our views of government structure.

3. Inform Bao Dai Collins arriving Saigon either May 1st or 2d. We hope Bao Dai will refrain from irrevocable action until after General Collins presence Saigon permits further urgent consideration of the problem.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751G.00/4–2755. Top Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Hoey and cleared in substance with Dulles, Murphy, MacArthur, Bowie, and Tyler. Repeated for information niact to Saigon and niact to Nice for Gibson.
2. In this telegram from Paris, April 27, Embassy officials reported a conversation with Bao Dai in which they convinced him, under threat of jeopardizing U.S. support of Vietnam, not to act unilaterally against Diem on April 27 as Bao Dai had previously stated he would. The Embassy staff suggested it would be helpful in their discussions with Bao Dai if they could give him some indication of the Department’s present thinking on Vietnam. (ibid.)
3. Document 140.
4. Supra.