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captive and endangered peoples of the world are to feel that the United States really believes in liberty.

I had the opportunity in Paris fully to explain the United States position in this respect to M. Mendès-France, whom I had known before but whom I had not met since he assumed his new offices.

The conclusion was that we would ask the Under Secretary of State, Gen. Walter Bedell Smith, to return to Geneva at an early date to renew his participation in the Indochina phase of the Conference.1 But this is on the understanding, to which both the French and British Ministers expressly agreed, that renewed participation by the United States at the ministerial level will be without departing from the U.S. principles which I had described.

I believe that we have found a formula for constructive allied unity which will have a beneficial effect on the Geneva Conference. And it carries no danger that the United States will abandon its principles.

36. THE CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENTS IN INDOCHINA: Statement by the President, July 21, 1954 2

I am glad, of course, that agreement has been reached at Geneva to stop the bloodshed in Indochina.3

The United States has not been a belligerent in the war. The primary responsibility for the settlement in Indochina rested with those nations which participated in the fighting. Our role at Geneva has been at all times to try to be helpful where desired and to aid France and Cambodia, Laos, and Viet-Nam to obtain a just and honorable settlement which will take into account the needs of the interested people. Accordingly, the United States has not itself been party to or bound by the decisions taken by the Conference, but it is our hope that it will lead to the establishment of peace consistent with the rights and the needs of the countries concerned. The agreement contains features which we do not like, but a great deal depends on how they work in practice.

The United States is issuing at Geneva a statement to the effect that it is not prepared to join in the Conference declaration, but, as loyal members of the United Nations, we also say that, in compliance with the obligations and principles contained in article 2 of the United Nations Charter, the United States will not use force to disturb the settlement. We also say that any renewal of Communist aggression would be viewed by us as a matter of grave concern.

As evidence of our resolve to assist Cambodia and Laos to play their part, in full independence and sovereignty, in the peaceful community of free nations, we are requesting the agreement of the Governments of Cambodia and Laos to our appointment of an Ambassador

1 General Smith left for Geneva on July 16. [Note in Bulletin]

2 Department of State Bulletin, Aug. 2, 1954, p. 163.

3 Cease-fire agreements of July 20, 1954; supra, pp. 750–785.

* Statement of July 21, 1954, by Under Secretary Smith; supra, pp. 787-789.

or Minister to be resident at their respective capitals (Phnom Penh and Vientiane). We already have a Chief of Mission at Saïgon, the capital of Viet-Nam, and this Embassy will, of course, be maintained.

The United States is actively pursuing discussions with other free nations with a view to the rapid organization of a collective defense in Southeast Asia in order to prevent further direct or indirect Communist aggression in that general area.

Aid for Indochina Following the Geneva Conference, 1954-1955

37. ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES FROM NORTH VIET-NAM: Note From the American Embassy at Saïgon to the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, August 8, 19541

On August 6 the U.S. Government received from the Government of Viet-Nam a request that the United States provide assistance in moving over 100,000 refugees from North Viet-Nam, the area which is being turned over to the Viet Minh, to South Viet-Nam areas under control of the anti-Communist government of Viet-Nam. The United States on August 8 replied as follows [Note in Department of State Bulletin]:

The United States Government desires to extend to the Government of Viet-Nam all reasonable assistance to evacuate from areas defined in the cease-fire agreement its nationals who understandably are unwilling to face the grim certainties of life under the Communists. The United States is well aware that mere removal does not solve the problem for such people or for the Government of Viet-Nam. The United States is also prepared to provide as far as possible material help needed to enable refugees from Viet Minh domination to resume existence under their chosen government with maximum opportunity to add to the strength of that government through their own efforts. The American Embassy will continue close cooperation with the Government of Viet-Nam to ensure that United States assistance is made effective in meeting the needs of the Government of Viet-Nam and its people. The United States will expect the maximum cooperation of the Government of Viet-Nam in working to this mutual end.

1 Department of State Bulletin, Aug. 16, 1954, p. 241; see also statement by Harold Stassen, Director of Foreign Operations Administration (ibid., Aug. 23, 1954, pp. 265-266) and White House statement of Aug. 22, 1954 (infra).

38. EVACUATION OF REFUGEES FROM NORTH VIET-NAM: Statement Released by the White House, August 22, 19541

The cease-fire agreement which terminated hostilities in Viet-Nam provided that persons on either side of the dividing line, which is roughly at the 17th parallel of latitude, would be free to move to places of their own choice. Very soon all of North Viet-Nam, which includes the Delta of the Red River otherwise known as Tonkin, will be handed over provisionally to the Viet Minh Government of Ho Chi Minh.

Thousands of refugees of Tonkin, fearful of being placed under the Communist yoke, are moving outward to Free Viet-Nam. The French Government has offered transport to these evacuees, and both the French Navy and Air Force are doing what they can to carry out this movement.

The French Air Force is presently lifting approximately 3,400 evacuees a day from airfields at Hanoï and Haiphong to the Saïgon area. Likewise the French Navy is carrying refugees and at the same time transporting French expeditionary forces to Saïgon.

However, the number of refugees has so increased that both the French authorities and Vietnamese Government have asked additional assistance of the United States in transporting these Vietnamese citizens who prefer to give up their homes in order to remain free.

The United States promptly agreed to their request.2 The French and Vietnamese authorities retain complete responsibility for the care of Vietnamese citizens who choose to leave the Delta area. The United States is providing ships to help transport refugees and, in addition, is furnishing some tentage and other supplies to better enable the French and Vietnamese officials ashore to take care of the refugees.

It is estimated that at least 200,000 civilian refugees must be moved from Hanoï or Haiphong before September 10.

The Commander in Chief, Pacific, Admiral Felix Stump, has instructed the Fifth Amphibious Group of the Western Pacific Fleet to assist in the transportation from Haiphong to points in South and Central Viet-Nam a total of between 80,000 and 100,000 refugees. The majority of refugees will probably be moved by LST's. In order to help expedite this movement, however, transport vessels and commercial freighters of the Military Sea Transport Service were dispatched earlier under the command of Rear Admiral Lorenzo Sabin and are already loading refugees at Haiphong. Several thousands of Vietnamese have already been evacuated by this service.

Fortunately, Free Viet-Nam is a country with ample land resources for the resettlement of almost any number of Vietnamese who desire to flee from Communist domination. In the rich rice lands of the Mekong River Delta and the high lands of South Viet-Nam there is surplus land where the Tonkinese farmers can reestablish new homesteads and work out new lives in freedom.

1 Department of State Bulletin, Sept. 6, 1954, pp. 336–337.

2 See American note of Aug. 8, 1954; supra.

The United States will continue to assist the Vietnamese Government, headed by Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem, in their humanitarian endeavor to bring the Vietnamese to Free Viet-Nam.

It is noteworthy that, although Vietnamese from Tonkin are clamoring to leave the area, soon to be under Communist rule, no Viet Minh adherents from Free Viet-Nam have clamored to be transported north to settle in that area under the Government of Ho Chi Minh.

39. DIRECT AID TO THE ASSOCIATED STATES: Communiqué Regarding Franco-American Conversations, September 29, 1954

Representatives of the two Governments have had very frank and useful talks which have shown the community of their views, and are in full agreement on the objectives to be attained.

The conclusion of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty in Manila on September 8, 1954,2 has provided a firmer basis than heretofore to assist the free nations of Asia in developing and maintaining their independence and security. The representatives of France and the United States wish to reaffirm the support of their Governments for the principles of self-government, independence, justice and liberty proclaimed by the Pacific Charter in Manila on September 8, 1954.3 The representatives of France and the United States reaffirm the intention of their governments to support the complete independence of Cambodia, Laos, and Viet-Nam. Both France and the United States will continue to assist Cambodia, Laos, and Viet-Nam in their efforts to safeguard their freedom and independence and to advance the welfare of their peoples. In this spirit France and the United States are assisting the Government of Viet-Nam in the resettlement of the Vietnamese who have of their own free will moved to free Viet-Nam and who already number some 300,000.

In order to contribute to the security of the area pending the further development of national forces for this purpose, the representatives of France indicated that France is prepared to retain forces of its Expeditionary Corps, in agreement with the government concerned, within the limits permitted under the Geneva agreements and to an extent to be determined. The United States will consider the question of financial assistance for the Expeditionary Corps in these circumstances in addition to support for the forces of each of the three Associated States. These questions vitally affect each of the three Associated States and are being fully discussed with them.

The channel for French and United States economic aid, budgetary support, and other assistance to each of the Associated States will be direct to that state. The United States representatives will begin

Issued at Washington; Department of State Bulletin, Oct. 11, 1954, p. 534. The United States was represented by Acting Secretary Smith and France by Guy LaChambre, Minister of State for Relations with the Three Associated States, and Edgar Faure, Finance Minister.

2 Supra, pp. 912-916.

3 Supra, pp. 916-917.

discussions soon with the respective governments of the Associated States regarding direct aid. The methods for efficient coordination of French and United States aid programs to each of the three Associated States are under consideration and will be developed in discussions with each of these states.

After the bilateral talks, the chiefs of diplomatic missions in Washington of Cambodia, Laos and Viet-Nam were invited to a final meeting to have an exchange of views and information on these matters. The representatives of all five countries are in complete agreement on the objectives of peace and freedom to be achieved in Indochina.

40. AID TO CAMBODIA: Message From the President of the United States to the King of Cambodia, October 2, 19541

YOUR MAJESTY: The people of the United States have watched with concern and admiration the struggle of Cambodia against unwarranted Communist aggression. The United States is happy that Cambodia has reaffirmed its independence and that your Kingdom is in a position now to undertake a course which will secure that sovereign freedom for which your people fought.

At this time when Cambodia has so convincingly demonstrated its independence and its stern determination to maintain that independence, I desire Your Majesty to know that my Government will be pleased to consider ways in which our two countries can more effectively cooperate in the joint task of stemming the threats facing your territories and maintaining peace and prosperity in your Kingdom.

With assurances of my personal esteem and high regard,

41. AID TO THE STATE OF VIET-NAM: Message From the President of the United States to the President of the Council of Ministers of Viet-Nam, October 23, 1954 2

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I have been following with great interest the course of developments in Viet-Nam, particularly since the conclusion of the conference at Geneva. The implications of the agreement concerning Viet-Nam have caused grave concern regarding the future of a country temporarily divided by an artificial military grouping, weakened by a long and exhausting war and faced with enemies without and by their subversive collaborators within.

Your recent requests for aid to assist in the formidable project of the movement of several hundred thousand loyal Vietnamese citizens away from areas which are passing under a de facto rule and political 1 Department of State Bulletin, Oct. 25, 1954, p. 615.

2 Ibid., Nov. 15, 1954, pp. 735–736.

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