IMPLICATIONS OF HO CHI MINH'S STATEMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200040004-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: December 3, 1953
• Content Type: BRIEF

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3 December 1953
I. Viet Minh leader Ho Chi Minh quoted on
29 November in non-Communist Stockholm
newspaper Expressen as "prepared to
discuss" a proposal from France for a
settlement in Indochina.
A. Ho's statement said to be in response
to questions submitted on 5 November
through the Viet Minh embassy in
Peiping.
II. Ho said that to arrive at an armistice,
"the French government must suspend hostil-=
ities . . . . The basis for such an
armistice is that the French government
really respect the independence of
Vietnam."
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A. While leaving door open for neutral
intercession, stressed that negotia-
tions "are essentially an affair
between the governments of France and
the Viet Minh."
B. Spoke of France's victimization by
"American imperialism," which is
pressing the war in Vietnam in order
to weaken France, and take over its
position in Vietnam.
C. Referred to American pressure for the
ratification of EDC, which, he said,
"implies that German militarism will
be reborn."
Statement adds up to assertion that Ho is
willing to negotiate, but that France must
take the initiative.
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A. Ho sees a cease-fire as a cessation of
hostilities by French, but makes no
commitment of his own.
B. He ignores the Vietnam government and
Bao Dai; says the Viet Minh alone
represents the Vietnamese people.
IV. Statement is most forthright yet made by
Viet Minh on the question of negotiations.
A. No more than vague hints at negotia-
tion in the past.
B. But there is no convincing evidence
that the Viet Minh at this time
urgently desire the prompt conclusion
of a negotiated settlement.
C. Ho appears primarily interested in
causing confusion.
1. Wants to generate doubt and
suspicion in the minds of non-
Communist Vietnamese.
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D. Likely that Orbit policy will continue
in the immediate future to be based on
the premise that a war of attrition in
Indochina offers greater advantages
than either peace or expanded
Communist war effort.
V. From Paris the American Embassy reports
that President Auriol summoned Premier
Laniel at 3:00 A.M. on 30 November to
tell him to consult immediately with
representatives of the Associated States,
with a view to early negotiations with Ho. 25X1X6
A. 'Laniel refused
Auriolts request, and that France will
make no change in its Indochina policy
pending full discussions at Bermuda.
B.. Meanwhile, the French press and party
leaders from all parts of the political
spectrum have indicated that they want
Ho's offer fully explored.
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VI. Official and unofficial opinion in
Vietnam is unanimously opposed to
negotiations.
A. Vice-premier has called Ho's offer
a trap.
B. Bao Dai described it as a sign of
Communist weakness, and rejected any
talks with Ho.
C. Premier Tam's view, expressed in
Paris, that negotiations might be
undertaken under certain conditions
is distinctly in the minority.
D. Vietnamese opposition to negotiations
with the Viet Minh raises a formidable
barrier to any French attempts to
deal with Ho.
VII. Regarding Ho himself, many reports re-
ceived that he is dead.
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A. Now 63 - quite old for a Vietnamese -
has always appeared frail.
B. Not seen by a non-Communist since
12 May 1947. This was the occasion
of a visit by a French emissary.
VIII. If Ho is dead, no positive indication of
it in Viet Minh propaganda up to the
present.
A. Referred to as being very active,
addressing the Viet Minh assembly,
and presiding over cabinet meetings.
B. Various Communist journalists claim
to have interviewed him.
1. Most recently, Joseph Starobin of
the New York Daily Worker said
he saw Ho in March 1953.
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C. The Security Service of the North
Vietnam government declared itself
certain in March 1953 that Ho was not
only alive but actively at the head
of the Viet Minh.
D. French and Vietnamese experts believe
that a photograph of Ho in their pos-
session was taken between October
1952 and January'1953.
IX. Nevertheless, the Viet Minh almost
invariably broadcasts Ho's statements in
morse, not in voice.
A. In the case of exceptions to this
procedure, it has not been possible
to determine whether or not the voice
was actually Ho's.
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newspaper, the most recent comment
attributed to Ho on the subject of peace
occurred in a morse broadcast of
25 October.
A. Ho deplored the misery which the
Indochina war had brought the French
and Vietnamese peoples.
B. He declared as the common goal of
France and Vietnam "fraternal cooper-
ation on the basis of independence,
justice, and peace."
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