Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part V. B. 2. b.djvu/50

 Copy for Griffin Mission

Sent Dept 176 repeated Paris 86, Dept pass ParisCONFIDENTIAL

FROM GRIFFIN.

1. Mission work till now has been limited to receiving requests Fr, Viets, Cambodians, Laotians. None of these coordinated yet by them or us, although French have shown at least part of their program, as developed here to Viets. This has been time consuming process of many meetings and postponements. No difficulty anticipated with relatively simple Cambodian Laotian program as these people cooperate with French and are suspicious of Viets.

2. Puzzled by paragraph five Deptel 136, March 9. My understanding was that this Mission was instructed cable program recommendations from field after examination (fact finding) proposals and that subject had urgency. We have repeatedly informed French and Viets of our hope that they have meeting of minds at least on essential and urgent items so that US could act more promptly. We have not tried to force either party to consolidate its program with the other and we have not urged any course in the sense second sentence of your paragraph 4. In fact our concern, clearly stated in Legtel reference, has been to preserve our government from being put into such a position.

3. I understand that ours is an economic aid mission and our remarks in sense of paragraph 2 above have been confined to economic aid. However, two programs should be mutually supporting and will possibly overlap to some extent. Dept is entirely right in foreseeing grave friction on distribution of military aid. The controversy on military aid which is budding without any help from the mission could jeopardize success of economic program. (Legation believes Department's views about not venturing any remarks on subject reconciling views on military aid may be inconsistent with Deptels 122, March 4 and 129, March 8). In view of effervescence in press and French and Viet Govt circles over AFP report that all aid would be through France, mission and Legation have thought opportune to let things simmer down before trying sell Bao Dai and Carpentier on views in referenced Deptels. My denial of agency report should calm matters somewhat. Rh