Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part V. B. 2. a.djvu/148



In conversation with Embassy officer on subject of Indochina, Vice FONMIN George Yeh and Director of European Dept FONOFF expressed following views:

It is difficult to foresee a settlement of Indochina question under current French policy, which is maingmaking [sic] position of other powers, particularly China and US, extremely difficult. It is unlikely that a govt can successfully be formed without participation of Ho Chi Minh, as Ho and his group are the only ones having a genuinely popular following. Attempts to alienate Ho's adherents under present circumstances unlikely of success. Persistence of French in present military course carries danger of forcing entire freedom movement into hands of Extreme, Communist elements.

Ho is regarded as Communist but many Vietminh leaders are not. Vice Minister is impressed with Ho's personality and commented that Ho was an abler individual for example than Sjahrir of Indonesian Govt, both men being personally known to him. The question of possible danger to China from a Communist-influenced regime adjacent to her southern border did not appear to be of critical importance.

The National Union Front does not have a solid popular base. It consists in the main of a group of prominent figures and If these leaders were removed from the picture (the recent assassinations in Saigon and Hanoi were recalled) the movement would probably have little force left. As regards Dai "the

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