Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part-V-B-3b.djvu/327



-2- 4625, June 1, 1 p.m. from Paris 1. Maintain position outlined in paragraph 3 of DEPTEL 4094. In this event French will continue to believe tn their hearts that President will tn fact request Congress to act if there should be an all-out Chinese air attack.

2. Tell French that if there should be such unprovoked attack, President would expect to request Congress for authority to use U.S. forces.

3. Tell French that U.S. would not come to French assistance even in the event of a Chinese air attack except as a part of a collective action.

If in fact intention is to give assistance to French in event of a Chinese air attack, it would seem immaterial whether we follow courses No. 1 or No. 2 and I can see many reasons in favor of sticking to course No. 1. However, if we stick to course No. 1, and then do not come to assistance of French in the event of a Chinese air attack, I feel that the results here in France will be as outlined in EMBTEL 4607.

Therefore, if we do not intend to react to Chinese air attack except in the framework of collective action, I feel that it would be better to adopt course No. 3 so as to avoid the risks described in EMBTEL 4607. If we adopt course No. 3, however, we must realize that it will come as a shock to the French and would probably have a prompt and serious effect on French attitude in Geneva and on present French plans for reinforcing Indochina. If it became public knowledge that course No. 3 was our policy, it would probably hasten fall of Laniel and generally militate against our European policy, though nowhere nearly to the extent indicated in EMBTEL 4607.

When Ely arrives Washington next week, he will be under specific instructions to attempt to clarify U.S. policy on this point if answer has not previously been given. Therefore, if our decision is to stick to policy outlined in paragraph 3 of DEPTEL 4094 with no further explanations, all personnel who will be talking with Ely should be carefully briefed regarding the subject.

DILLON LMS/NIH/5

44030 Rh