Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part V. B. 2. b.djvu/126



3. . On 19 September, Minister Heath, in Saigon, reported as follows:

"There is little doubt in our minds here that it we are to find a fairly rapid cure for this 'civil war' which invites further Chinese intervention, native forces in the field must be greatly increased. This will, of course, involve more equipment and cash. Legation cannot state, of course, whether or how much it would be possible for French Government to increase its cash outlay in Indochina at this time. French finances might be able to afford some increase in their Indochina budgets. If they cannot, however, meet full bill for maintenance of increased national army and urgently needed pacification troops, then we shall be obliged to contribute some direct financial aid if we want this dangerously festering situation cleared up. I trust that French delegate now in Washington can provide prompt estimates as to French and Associated States financial possibilities in this regard.

"Politically, I strongly hold opinion that purpose of national army concept will be dissipated unless Vietnam (and Cambodia and Laos as well) are brought into discussions, their wishes consulted and their desires met to the extent that military efficiency will permit. In this connection president Huu's most recent press conference, in which he declared that only Viet forces could obtain necessary rallyings and pacification brought him close to position advocated by nationalists of Nguyen Phen Long-Lam Viet stripe. Key figure in such consultations will, of course, be Bao Dai and I cannot emphasize too insistently my belief that the U.S. should make no definite large-scale commitments

Rh