NATIONALISTIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS FRENCH COLONIALISM, COMMUNISM, AND THE US

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R001300640001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 30, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 1, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-RDP83-00423R001300640001-6
SUBJECT: Nationalistic Attitudes Towards Pages: 2
French Colonialism, Communism,and the US
PLACE ACQUIRED: 25X1 A6a ted information for US oU 54
DATE ACQUIRED: iblo iI Test of
Unly k =p
~s rnt
DATE OF INFO: Jan 54 and earlier Your analysts. It 4~
neon 25X1 A2g
25X1X6
25X1X6
After being in the US for three years, I have begun to realize
that US citizens cannot comprehend the feeling in Vietnam concerning
Communism and Colonialism in Vietnam. They do not realize that
the very word "Indochina" is an insult to a Vietnamese. In the
eyes of the Vietnamese, the US is now identified with French colonial
policy, and US prestige is rapidly decreasing. The Vietnamese wish
to be a free nation; they hate French colonialism more than Communism
which they do not fear. Vietnamese realize that the US fought Japan
for Southeast Asia as well as for its own protection, that the US forces
are fighting Communistic aggression in Korea, but that they are not
fighting for the freedom of the Vietnamese. In my opinion the US
should deal directly with Vietnam-not through the French Commissioner.
2. The Vietminh forces in Vietnam are obviously sponsored by Communist
arms and money. -Chi-Minh and a small group at the top of the
Vietminh Army are true Communists, but the rank and file are motivated
by nationalism and anti-colonialism. Once the French withdraw from
Vietnam, I think the Communistic influence in Vietminh will be
immediately purged.
3. The US press completely distorts the problem of Vietnam by referring
to the concept that the French are fighting Communism in Vietnam;
rather Nationalists are fighting French Colonialism. The US press
never prints the truth about Vietnam if it is anti-French, How many
Americans know that Ho-Chi-Minh was bought from Chiang-Kai-Shek for
US#/+ million in order to counter the nationalistic sentiment and create
a coalition government which would never be strong enough to defeat
french forces? Did not the French assassinate ex-emperors of Vietnam
before they installed Bao-Dai? Did not French forees in attacking the
diocese of Phat-diem destroy Catholic churches and convents belonging
to the native clergy in Vietnam? Did not French forces rape whole
convents of nuns in Phat-diem in retaliation for Catholic support of
Ho-Chi-Minh? Do not attempt to equate native clergy support for
Ho-Chi-Minh as pro-Communist activity; if the Vatican 3&wed it as
pro-Communist, excommunication would result.
RETURN TO CIA
LIBRA R Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-RDP83-00423 R001300640001-6
 Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-RDP83-00423R001300640001-6
2
4. The anti-US sentiment in Vietnam is rapidly increasing. In time,
I think that it will reach the climax of destroying US arms that
are shipped to French forces. If US forces replaced French forces
in Vietnam and gave Vietnam a promise of complete independence, I
think enough Vietminh forces wazld surrender to cause a termination
of hostilities in six days. Vietnamese are aware that at any
moment.,Chinese Communists might invade Vietnam in large numbers; but
Vietnamese feel that public opinion would at least be unified-and
the invader could be defeated with US military aid.
5. Bao-Dai has recently increased in favor among the Vietnamese
because of his recent strong attitude toward the French. The
formation of the new staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may
continue to increase Bao Daits prestige in the eyes of the Vietnamese,
Approved For Release 1999/09/10 : CIA-RDP83-00423R001300640001-6 RI E J' L.