396.1 GE/7–854: Telegram

The United States Delegation to the Department of State

confidential

Secto 573. Repeated information Paris 22, Bonn 6. 2 members US Delegation had lunch today with Dr. Martin Fischer, Senior West German Observer for Geneva Conference. Fischer had just returned from Bonn where he had reported to Chancellor, Foreign Minister, and other officials in Conference. He stated officials in Bonn are very interested in Conference, particularly as it may indirectly influence prospects for EDC. He referred to, but did not endorse, press speculation that French may trade EDC for favorable Indochina settlement. In this context, he reported that a few days ago, when he, Chancellor, and Foreign Minister appeared before Foreign Affairs Committee of Bundestag, member of Committee asked why victorious Viet Minh troops had not pressed their advantage and driven French out of [Page 1303] Tonkin. Foreign Minister replied that he also would like answer to this question.

Johnson