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SENT DEPARTMENT 4625, REPEATED INFORMATION GENEVA 334

LIMIT DISTRIBUTION

EYES ONLY UNDER SECRETARY

Re DEPTEL 4332.

Information contained in paragraph 3 of DEPTEL 4094 was conveyed by me to Schumann immediately upon receipt and he fully understands it. My concern as evidenced in EMBTEL 4607 stemmed from fact that last sentence of DEPTEL 4325 clearly goes much further than paragraph 3 of DEPTEL 4094, which reference telegram now confirms to be Department's policy. Last sentence of DEPTEL 4325 carries clear implication that U.S. would not participate under any circumstances, except as part of a broader collective effort, while paragraph 3 of DEPTEL 4094 states that U.S. reaction to Chinese air attack would be "judged under the circumstances of the moment", but that, in any event, the President would require congressional authorization. If in fact last sentence of DEPTEL 4325 was not intended to indicate any change in this policy, there is no misunderstanding between our governments.

However, we must bear in mind that French for practical purposes draw the inference from instructions in paragraph 3 of DEPTEL 4094 that the President would request Congress for authority to act in the event of a sudden and unprovoked mass attack by Chinese aircraft. They realize, however, that this is only an inference on their part and that U.S. position, as expressed in paragraph 3 of DEPTEL 4094, makes no commitment one way or another regarding what action the President might take. From their point of view this is an unsatisfactory situation. All the recent French requests from Schumann, Laniel, Ely, et cetera, regarding guarantees against a possible Chinese attack were brought about by the vagueness of U.S. policy as expressed in paragraph 3 of DEPTEL 4094.

French are now attempting to clarify what U.S. position actually will be in the event of a Chinese air attack on the Delta prior to the conclusion of collective defense arrangements. As I see it we have three possible courses open to US:

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