Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part V. B. 2. a.djvu/146

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In absence of Baudet, situation in Indochina discussed with his assistant, Boissaison.

He stated no information yet received from French authorities in Indochina regarding reaction to Bollaert speech while information regarding developments in Hong Kong limited to press despatches. He confirmed Foreign Office lukewarmness towards Bao Dai, but said reports in recent weeks indicated growing national support for him based largely on a reaction against the terroristic methods and totalitarian organization of Ho Chi Minh's government.

Boissaison asserted that no official negotiations are being ocnductedconducted [sic] with Bao Dai but admitted that a French official had been sent to Hong Kong for "liaison" purposes. He indicated French are fully aware that ultimate objective of Bao Dai and groups supporting him (i.e., complete independence) are little different than Ho's and that only advantage for France in dealing with Bao Dai would be presumably his less "rigid and doctrinaire" viewpoint.

Boissaison confirmed Baudet's pessimistic views regarding Bollaert's speech and the possibility of successful negotiations resulting therefrom. However, he pointed out that while the Bollaert offer might be regarded as a step backward as regards control of the armed forces and separate diplomatic relations, it was a step forward on two points: (1) the formal abandonment of the idea of an Indochinese federation with supervisory powers; (2) the acceptance in principle of the union of the three KYS without

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