NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
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-2- 4612, MAY 31, 1 P.M., FROM PARIS
reaction to an all-out Chinese air attack were two very separate problems, and that some arrangement should be made to handle a Chinese air attack if it should occur prior to creation of a SEATO alliance.
If we should inform the French that we will not rpt not react to a Chinese air attack except after making the necessary arrangements for collective action, I am afraid that this would have a profound and immediate effect both on French attitude in Geneva and on present French plans for bolstering the defense of Indochina. We gave Laniel General Trapnell's opinion that Ely's overall plan seemed good and that French should be able to hold areas which Ely plans to defens. Ely then arranged for further technical discussion with Trapnell later in morning. See following telegram.
WLB/32
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