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-3- SECTO 560, July 6, 7 p.m., from Geneva. any recent Viet Minh reaction on this. Chauvel said that Dong had given no (repeat no) definite indication regarding maintenance French enclave there. Chauvel said French would in any event obviously have to remain there for some time to come. In reply my further question, he said that French military do not (repeat not) attach great importance to retention of Haiphong from military point of view.

I also again raised with Chauvel question of anti-Communist civilian population in zones evacuated by French under any agreement. Chauvel said he expected Offroy to take this up with Dong's representative. Such matters as amnesty for alleged political offenses could also be discussed. Chauvel stated that problem of forcible repatriation of prisoners had not (repeat not) risen and that he did not (repeat not) expect that it would.

I asked Chauvel regarding liaison with Vietnamese. He replied he was handling this through members of his staff and was avoiding direct contact with Vietnamese in order not (repeat not) to have to answer their questions.

JOHNSON

VH/8

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