JACQUET'S STATEMENT AND VIETNAMESE REACTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200040001-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 3, 1953
• Content Type: BRIEF

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NSC BRIEFING 3 December 1953
JACQUET'S STATEMENT AND
VIETNAMESE REACTION
q.0 ~CA
fZ`I
I. First reaction from responsible French
official was from Marc Jacquet, Secretary
of State for the Associated States in
A. He said Ho's reply was "news of world
importance"; declared France would not
refuse to negotiate.
B. Rejected newspaper interview as point
of departure but observed that official
channels were open to Ho.
C. French Government statement shortly
afterward merely stated that views
were not "official."
II. Bao Dai, who had at first taken Ho "offer"
in stride, greatly disturbed by Jacquet
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A. Regarded it as real indication that
France might actually negotiate.
1. Had viewed earlier French refer-
ences to desirability of negotia-
tions as made for benefit of French`
public and Assembly.
B. Said if French reached an armistice he
would go into exile and hope to recon-
quer Vietnam from without.
C. Said if Ho had addressed himself to his
~ivlalli
government, as he should have,the
reply would have been: Good, just lay
down your arms and we'll negotiate a
surrender.
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VIII. Official statement of French Government,
issued last night, said: "Viet Minh has
a right to make its position known by
accordance with the Associated States, ...
it would be examined with the wish to do
everything to re-establish a durable peace
assuring the independence of the Associated
States as well as the liberty of its
citizens..."
A. Bao Dai's deputy in Paris yesterday
told American officials, if France
wants to open negotiations as a
deliberate delaying tactic and to
appease certain elements in France,
Vietnam would go along.
3 -
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B. If negotiations are opened with a view
to early French withdrawal, Vietnam
would have to seek assistance else-
where, with Formosa, South Korea, US,
with view to continuing anti-Communist
struggle.
C. All leaders on Bao Dai side regard an
armistice now as surrender to Viet Minh.
D. This attitude will put strong barrier
in the way of any actual negotiations.
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from Ho himself, news of world-wide importance.
Interview appears designed eap ortation and Hots
replies charged propaganda, but even m , of great
interest especially if one. takes into accoant
proxmmity Bermuda onference. And near four-
power conference. French position has been
expounded by Laniel. We are not refusing
i negotiate if occasion presents itself. Obviously
we cannot consider this interview as point
departure. But if Ho wishes make some statements
officially, he does not lack means doing it, in
particular through intermediary Swedish Embassy
Peking. Statements this type have been made
on several occasions past two months by Moscow
and Peking. New element is that Ho now making
them himself. Equally interesting is allusion
in these replies to eventual negotiations being
conducted directly between Viet Minh and France.
That means Ho does not wish, in any case, to
negotiate with Gbvernment J3ao Da . From I"rench
side, on contrary, have asserted no measure would
be taken without accord Associated States."
2? l`ove'
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