NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
TELEGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
TOP SECRET
| SENT TO: | Amembassy PARIS 4508 |
| Undersecretary, Geneva TOSEC 392 | |
| EYES ONLY AMBASSADOR |
Following translation text message from Ely to Radford received evening June 9:
QUOTE: I have not yet made a survey of the military situation, especially in Tonkin. However, it seems to me that the decision I will have to take regarding the operations will rest on the US intentions, in the present situation, as well as those they anticipate in the future.
QUOTE: Therefore, I would very much like to have, either in Paris, where I expect to be possibly on the 19th June, or here in Saigon, as soon as possible an exchange of views with a qualified representative of Admiral Radford, in order to know what I can expect on the part of the U.S.A. UNQUOTE.
Prior to French decision to request internationalization, we consider undesirable to start yet another series conversations which would inevitably provoke on French side all kinds hopes and interpretations with regard basic issue US intervention which would only cause further confusion. In other words, it is our feeling that we should not be eased into a series of piecemeal commitments resulting from collateral military conversations in the
C - Mr. MacArthur
TOP SECRET
46246
