120.251G/12–454: Telegram
The Chargé in Vietnam (Kidder) to the Department of State
secret
Saigon, December 4,
1954—midnight.
2075. Repeated information Paris 662, Vientiane, Phnom Penh unnumbered. From Collins. Re Embassy telegram 2004.1 Third of series meetings held with Ely December 2 re refugee resettlement and program for land reform. Responsible Mission senior staff members both French and US participated.
- 1.
- Refugee program
- (A)
- Conclusion reached that in light of magnitude of effort and conditions existing progress to date is remarkable.
- (B)
- Ultimate rehabilitation of refugees in manner which will
contribute most to economic and social strengthening of Vietnam
requires as soon as possible:
- (1)
- Unified national plan for rehabilitation providing for productive use of available lands for resettlement of refugees, displaced persons and discharged military personnel;
- (2)
- Financial assistance beyond emergency subsistence and shelter to provide for total occupational rehabilitation of this value economic and political component;
- (3)
- Complete coordination of Vietnamese, US and French efforts in providing aid.
- 2.
- Land reform
- (A)
- To provide for prompt and total productive use of farm lands through emergency requisition and lease by government of idle farm lands on three-year basis for resettling refugees, displaced farm families and discharged military personnel pending decisions on full land reform.
- (B)
- Establishment within Ministry of Agriculture of necessary administrative organization to implement this program including provision of credit and cooperative facilities.
- (C)
- Continuing study and [garble] of ordinances of June 1953 re this subject to provide more generally acceptable and workable program relating to: (1) landlord-tenant relationships; (2) maximum land holdings; (3) redistribution of family-sized farm units; (4) recovery of government-owned unused agricultural concessions; and (5) agricultural credit and cooperatives.
- 3.
- Agreed to continue conferences and communicate proposals at subordinate levels. Papers further elaborating above points will be exchanged by working groups.
Kidder