NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
790.5/12-22511 Top Secret File
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| Rec'd: | Dec. 23, 1951 8:57 a.m. |
| FROM: | Paris |
| TO: | Secretary of State |
| NO: | 3765, December 22, 10 p.m |
Informal translation Pleven note follows:
"Prime Minister French Govt calls attention of US Govt to fact that possibility of Chi intervention in Indochina appears to be becoming more definite.
Analysis of entirety intelligence reports concerning South China and assistance given Viet Minh by Mao Tse-Tung Govt gives fol results:
Effectives of Chi forces stationed southern provinces bordering on Tonkin have increased in last six months from 170,000 to 290,000 men.
South China communications network and particularly roads leading to Tonkin border being constantly reconditioned and already much improved in correlation this improvement of South China rail and road system, highways in Viet Minh area of north Tonkin are being reconditinned. For instance Kunming-Yen Bay road now open to traffic.
Lastly, Chi materiel aid to Viet Minh has vastly increased over last three months. During recent operations French have ascertained that great part captured equipment was of US origin and have seized arms dated 1950 which apparently are part war booty Chi troops in Korea.
Furthermore, analysis of Chi press over last few weeks shows that emphasis once more placed on struggle of Viet Minh against French Union forces Indochina.
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