Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part-V-B-3c.djvu/307

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Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011

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SECTO 8, MAY 8, 5 PM (SECTION ONE OF THREE),
FROM PARIS

and French failure to act. US failed to reply to Bao Dai. In absence of Collins from Saigon Bao Dai acted.

Laforest continued to say that new revolutionary committee appeared to have control. Committee is strongly under Viet Minh influence. A man named Hom Pan Son, staff officer in Vietnamese army, educated in China was Vice-President of revolutionary committee. Nhi Lang was one of Vice-Presidents of Viet Minh Govt. Doan Trung Con is notorious Viet Minh agent. Viet Minh influence of "revolutionary" groups is recognizable throughout and their influence is spreading to country. Bao Dai's deposition is demanded. There is violent campaign against French and French Expeditionary Corps. Viet Minh agents make good use of it and certain Americans do not seem sufficiently aware of this. French Govt does not wish to have its army act as platform for Viet Minh propaganda. Army will not be maintained in Vietnam at any cost. Laforest closed by referring to govt censorship and showed copy of Saigon newspaper, half of which had been censored, as example of extent of govt censorship.

Secretary replied referring to seriousness of situation and necessity that French and US as good friends work closely together. It would not be profitable to go into detailed charges made against each other in two countries. Question is what to

DULLES

JNA:AB/32

961


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