Memorandum of Conversation

Cand DEPARTMENT RESERVED STATE DCIR jile DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1951 fin course DIVISION OF Memorandum of Conversation PECTIONS DATE: January 31, 1951 Bureau of FAR EASTERN AFFAIRS SUBJECT: FEB 2 - 1951 ASSISTANT SECRETARY Department of State PARTICIPANTS: M. Parodi, Secretary General, French Foreign Office M. Tezenas du Montcel, French Ministry of Associated States M. Millet, French Embassy Assistant Secretary Rusk - FE Mr. Lacy - PSA; Minister Heath - PSA; Mr. Godley WE; Mr. Gibson - PSA COPIES TO: S/A - Ambassador Jessup DECLASSIFIED FE - Mr. Rusk FE - Mr. Merchant Authority NLT- 85-35 PSA - Minister Heath PSA - Mr. Lacy Date 10-8.85 6 IRR EUR - Mr. Bonbright By DEB NLT WE - Mr. Godley (StATE Dept. Ltr. 5-30-85) OPO 1-1493 Messrs. Parodi and Tezenas du Montcel came to the Department today at our request. Mr. Rusk opened the conversation by informing Mr. Parodi that the Department was giving increasing attention to the question of how we would eventually get out of Korea and stated that we were more inclined at the moment to the thought that a cease-fire should be arranged at the 38th Parallel. Mr. Rusk developed background for this reasoning at some length and appeared to have the understanding and concurrence of the French in the matter. He then stated that while we were forming plans for our eventual with- drawal from Korea we were curious to know what French official thinking was concerning an eventual withdrawal from Indochina. In replying Parodi referred immediately to the third *hypothesis in the French aide-memoire presented in conjunction with the Pleven-Truman talks and explained that although the third hypothesis had been included as among possible developments in Vietnam, the French believed there was very little likelihood of a negotiated peace. He referred to Ho Chi Minh as "the lion" and the Associated States as "the lamb" in any such negotiation. He also made reference to that portion of the aide-memoire in which France expressed her concern oyer the fate of the rest of Southeast Asia if Indochina were to be forsaken. In response to Mr. Rusk's question whether DC Anax 40 the French X 020655 SECRET Rev Cat