Oldal 1 [1]
= ‘Ss
SS ee ee ee eee
Tp foe £3
THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF VIET NAM
On June 3rd, Emperor Bao Dai by a surprise Decree
Gestituted the Government of Premier Tran Van Huu and
replaced it by a Cabinet presided over by Nguyen Van Tam.
The implications of this move are of the greatest importence
Akt
and consequence, and must be put into the over-all Che
Indo-Chinese affairs. At the beginning of this year, faced
between Viet Nam and Viet Minh, the French and their Vietnamese
allies started to think of the possibilities of discussing
matters with the enemy. This was best expressed in a speech
had
delívered by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, who
declared that France was ready to discuss the terms of a
settlement if the Chinese were ready for such a talk,
Vietnamese Premier Tran van Huu also made some peaceful
overtures. In the week that followed. these declarations,
the attitude of Viet Minh and of China was most discouraging 63
for those who dreamed of negotiation, They made it very
clear in unofficial discussions that while. they were ready
to discuss a French evacuation of Indo-China, they would
keep entire freedom of action with regard to repression e
against the Vietnamese, who had followed the French. a
They made it amply clear, furthermore, that they would not új
be ready to show any mercy to the two million people of
ee ae
minority races, like the Tais, the Catholics, etc., who had
been relentless in fighting the Communists. Despite this
attitude, powerful forces in France still favoured getting
out of Indo-China. With the accession of Antoine Pinay,
this trend was reversed. M. Robert Letourneau was sent
as Minister Resident to Saigon. He is know to be a man
absolutely dedicated to holding on in Indo-China, and
unwilling to make any dishonourable compromise with the
Communists, On his arrival, Letourneau made a speech which
most clearly indicated that he was not coming to make peace, .
= A