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absence of an understanding with the French Government based on our general proposal described in TEDUL 54. Radford has accordingly informed General Valluy orally that US position was given to Ambassador Bonnet by Secretary June 9 and that he is not (repeat not) in position at this time to respond to Ely's request for conversations on subject raised his message.

With regard to US training Vietnamese troops, we feel that situation Viet Nam has degenerated to point where any commitment at this time to send over US instructors in near future might expose us to being faced with situation in which it would be contrary to our interests to have to fulfill such commitment. Our position accordingly is that we do not (repeat not) wish to consider US training mission or program separately from over-all operational plan on assumption conditions fulfilled for US participation war Indochina.

Rh 46247