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7. In the light of the current situation, the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the United States should now adopt the following as its minimum position. The United States will not associate itself with any French proposal directed toward a cease-fire in advance of a satisfactory political settlement. The United States urges the French Government to propose that negotiations for a political settlement be initiated at once. During the course of such negotiations, the French Union Forces should continue to oppose the forces of the, Viet Minh with all the means at their disposal in order to reinforce the French negotiating position. In the meantime, as a means of strengthening the French hand, the United States will continue its of aid and will intensify its efforts to organize and promptly activate a Southeast Asian coalition for the purpose of preventing further expansion of Communist power in Southeast Asia. If the French Government persists in its intention to enter armistice negotiations or accedes to immediate cease-fire negotiations, the United States will disassociate itself from such negotiations in order to maintain maximum freedom of action in taking whatever measures may be feasible for opposing the extension of Communist control into Southeast Asia. Rh