DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
Date: July 8, 1949
SUBJECT: Checking Communism in South East Asia
PARTICIPANTS: M. Bonnet, French Ambassador Secretary of State
T. C. Achilles, EUR
COPIES TO: S/S, FE NEA, SEA, WE American Embassy, Paris
During a call on other matters the Ambassador inquired as to our views on checking Communism in South East Asia.
I said that we were preparing a lengthy white book showing what we had been attempting to do in the Far East since the late 30's and that we were engaged in a comprehensive study of the situation throughout the Far East and South East Asia as to what could be done. In Indo-China the French had taken a step in the right direction, as we had publicly recognized, the Dutch were making progress and we were trying to get India and Pakistan to stop quarreling with each other and devote attention to the greater menace. The basic problem seemed to be to convert nationalist sentiment from pro- Communism to anti-Communism and this would require far-sighted policies. France had made a start with Bao Dai but would have to be liberal in the powers it gave his government.
The Ambassador indicated agreement, particularly as to the importance of directing nationalism into anti-Communist channels.
Dean Acheson
EUR:TCAchilles:bsm