1. International and domestic context and

the convening of the conference

2. Big countries’ positions toward

Indochinese conflicts and at Geneva

3. DRV’s position at Geneva

4. Geneva negotiation process

5. Aftermaths and assessment

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III. The Geneva Agreements08 May - 21 Jul 1954

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INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT:

Most intensive period of Cold War in early 1950s: two hot wars in Asia

with participation of either super power; Eisenhower 1953 adopt the

strategy ‘massive retaliation’, ‘brinkmanship’; SU got H-bomb

Tendency of peace in the international relations: SU, preoccupied with

its domestic issues, pursuit the strategy of peaceful coexistence with the

West. Ending Korea war in July 1953 with 38th parallel as border

between North and South Korea.

China (PRC) while maintaining alliance relations with SU, endeavour to

attain the status of powers.2

1. International and domestic context and the convening of the conference

DOMESTIC CONTEXT

Nov 1953: HCM announced Vietnam’s willing to

negotiate on basis of Vietnam’s independence

Battle of Dien Bien Phu (13 March – 07 May 1954);

America’s involvement in Indochina: Assist French

financially and materially during the war. Plans to

rescue Dien Bien Phu. Propose collective security

alliance including US, France, UK, Australia, Thailand

and th Philippine.3

1. International and domestic context and the convening of the conference

How important is the Dien Bien Phu battle to Geneva conference?

Question

Soviet Union: + Settle the Indochina’s conflict in peace+ Allow China to play it part in dealing with the Indochinese issues. United States: + Keep Indochina stand, stop the spread communism in the region.+ After Korea war, did not want to participate in another hot war alone.

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2. Major countries’ positions toward Indochinese war

United Kingdom: + Not to have involve in Indochinese conflict either individually or collective, but still want good result for the West. France: + End the war with acceptable result. China: + Settle the conflict in peace

2. Major countries’ positions toward Indochinese war

SU: + Look forward to peace agreement, not let Indochina issue destroy the grand strategy of peaceful coexistence with the West.+ Keep Mendes France government stand to oppose European Defense Community-EDC

US:+ Reluctantly attended the conference, with main intention to prevent France from making too much concession, and in exchange for French approval of European Defense Community-EDC.+ Preparing its own plan for a ‘post-French’ Indochina: with the UK and later French influence in Laos and Cambodia, keep at least half of Vietnam. While pushing for the alternative Ngo Dinh Diem and common defense in Southeast Asia-SEATO 08 September 1954.

Big countries’ position at Geneva conference

French: Avoid bilateral talk with DRV, using multilateral conference with the hope of gaining more concessions from DRV.

UK: seek an good result for the West, not to involve in the conflict.

China: Use Geneva conference to promote its international status and want a peace settlement to the Indochina conflict.

Big countries’ position at Geneva conference

10/4/1954 Vice chairman of ministerial council Pham Van Dong address at National Assembly about position of DRV at Geneva: PEACE, INDEPENDENCE, UNITY, DEMOCRACY.

2/5/1954: Secretariat meeting: Not highly appreciate Geneva conference, but should not miss this chance for peace. Ready for negotiation after Geneva.

15-17/7/1954: Central Committee meeting: + US is the enemy of Indochina and is obstructing the negotiation in Geneva+ The Geneva conference develop in favour direction.

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3. DRV’s position at Geneva conference

In DRV point of view, Geneva conference should focus on 4 issues: Cease fire; Peace, independence, unity and

democracy in Indochina; Relations with France; Relations among VN, Laos, Cambodia and

with foreign countries.

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DRV’s position at Geneva conference

DRV’s Proposal: ◦ Requesting solution to both military and political

aspects of the conflict◦ Considering Indochina as one – solving conflict in

all three Indochinese countries◦ Other countries respecting Indochinese states’

independence ◦ Cease-fire in the whole Indochina, foreign troops

to withdraw from Indochina, regroupment areas (Vietnam 13 parallel – Quy Nhon province)

◦ Elections in all three countries to set up unified government in each (as soon as possible – in six months’ time)

DRV’s position at Geneva conference

25/1/1954 at Berlin Conference, SU foreign minister propose a five-power international conference to seek solution to Korean war and Indocchina war: the Geneva Conference (26 Apr-15Jun on Korea, 08 May-20 Jul 1954 on Indochina). Participants: + Belligerent countries: France; DRV; State of Vietnam attend but ignored in substantive issues; Royal Government of Laos; Royal Government of Cambodia (Laotian and Cambodian resistance forces there but not recognised).+ And powers: US; Britain; Soviet Union; ChinaFirst time an international conference attended by all five powers, first time PRC attended a powers’ conference

Convening Geneva Conference

From 8/5-19/6/1954: discuss general issues

From 20/6-10/7/1954: Head of delegations report to leaders of each country. Main activities outside the conference

10/7-20/7: Final and decisive period

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4. Geneva negotiation process

8/5/1954: Bidault- head of French delegate gave 5 point proposal

10/5/1954: Pham Van Dong gave 8 point proposal.These two proposals became the basic for negotiation. Result:- Agreed that Indochina issue should be solved in full

package, meaning both military and political solution.- Established a forum to discuss military issues- Agreed on the list of important issues that need to be

negotiate in the next phases

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Phase I: from 8/5-19/6/1954

French continue to lose in Red river delta, 26/5 French forces withdrew from Hanoi.

No agreement reached among French, US and UK to save French in Indochina. US confirmed that no military force be sent to Indochina.

18/6/1954: Ngo Dinh Diem was appointed the Prime Minister of State of Vietnam (Bao Dai is Head of State).

19/6/1954: Mendes France replaced Lanien to be the Prime Minister of France and declared to reach an agreement on Indochina issue within one month, otherwise step down.

Side line meeting: Chou En-lai met Eden UK Foreign Secretary on 16/6 and Bidault- head of French delegate

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Important developments in phase I

Head of each delegate go back to report to their leaders. Main activities took place outside the framework of the conference.

23/6/1954: Mendes France met Chou En-lai in Berne

3-5/7/1954: Chou En-lai met Ho Chi Minh in Lieuchou. After the meeting, Vietnam Labour party direct the DRV delegation:

- Military issue: - Political issue- Negotiation

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Phase II: from 20/6-10/7/1954

- Military issues: i) cease fire at the same time in VN, Laos, CPC. ii) Temporary demarcation line: 16 parallel. iii) No troops or military officer to be intruded during cease fire. iiii) No foregn military base, no military alliance.

- Political issue: i) time for general election (French, under US pressure did not want to specify the time for general election, just saying the time will be negotiated and agreed by related partners) ii) how DRV participate in French Union after the country reunified and independent iii) the member of International supervision committee

- Negotiation: Discuss with French in equal position

DRV’s position after Chou En-lai met Ho Chi Minh in Lieuchou

Late June and July 1954: VN, French, China, SU, UK all support an agreement signed. US wanted an agreement with the least constraint on US manoeuvre after that.

Main issues of disagreement: temporary demarcation line, time for general election, cease fire in Cambodia and Laos.

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Phase III: from 10/7 to 20/7/1954

◦ Documents: Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities in Vietnam,

Laos, Cambodia. Final Declaration of the Geneva Conference on Restoring

Peace in Indochina, 21 July 1954.◦ General

- Solutions to the whole Indochina- Both military and political aspects

◦ Vietnam: - Military demarcation line at 17 parallel- General election to be held in two years’ time

◦ Laos and Cambodia: - Laos: two provinces under royal control for regroupment- Cambodia: no areas for regroupment

◦ US and Bao Dai government refused to sign the final agreement

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Reaching the final agreements

20

Jurist.org

- Temporary line: China (Chou en-lai) pressed VN to make concession. i) If not agreed on this issues, Mendes France (support peace) might fall, and the pro-war faction (with supporting from US) might won. Ii) SU also agree with China’s position to reach an agreement, do not a small issue to destroy the whole process of negotiation. Iii) within two years, whole VN will be under DRV. On 19/7 agree on 17 parallel. (France ask for 18, DRV for 16. China propose 16 with Hai Phong and/or Hanoi belong to French).

- Time for election: final agreement reached in 19/7/1954: Within two years, but two sides must negotiate and agree on the specific time before 6/1955.

- Cease fire in Cambodia and Laos: Cambodia became neutral and cease fire, but resistant force must be disarmed or participate in local police force. Laos: Pathet Laos withdraw to Sam Nua and Phongsaly. But these towns provinces put under control of Laos royal governement.

Aftermath Regroupment and movement of population Ceasefire in the South National election and prospect for unification Laos and Cambodia

Assessment International factors, the role of powers in bringing about solution Vietnam’s policy and prospects

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5. Aftermath and assessment

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Keypoints- Peaceful trend in international relations, all

powers want peaceful solution to Indochina conflict

- The victory of Dien Bien Phu, the importance of the battle.

- DRV’s position to solve the conflict both militarily and politically

- The result of the Geneva conference.

Key points and timeline

25/11/1953: 25/1/1954: 7/5/1954 8/5/1954 18/6/1954 23/6/1954 3-5/7/1954 21/7/1954

Timeline

25/11/1953: HCM answer Expressen Newspaper: DRV is willing to talk.

25/1/1954: Molotov proposed five power conference on Korean and Indochina conflicts

7/5/1954: Dien Bien Phu 8/5/1954: Open Geneva conference on Indochina 18/6/1954: Diem became Prime Minister of State of

Vietnam/ Mendes Frances became Prime Minister of France 23/6/1954: Chou En-Lai met Mendes France in Berne,

made concessions 3-5/7/1954: Liuzhou meeting Chou en Lai and Ho Chi Minh 21/7/1954: Geneva accords signed

Timeline

Discuss the main points of international and domestic context of Geneva conference

Discuss the position of powers toward Indochina issues at Geneva conference

Why was China so active at Geneva conference?

Was DRV lost in Geneva Agreements in 1954?

Discussion

Choose one of the following topic:

1. What lessons could be learnt from the diplomatic activities

of DRV in 1945-1946? Examine one diplomatic lesson that

you are most interested in.

2. What was DRV’s policy toward Chinese Kuomintang forces

in 1945-1946? Why did DRV adopt that policy?

3. What was DRV’s policy toward French in 1945-1946? Why

did DRV adopt that policy?

4. Assess the result of Geneva agreement toward DRV.

5. Assess the role of People Republic of China at Geneva

conference on Indochina issue in 1954.

Topic for mid-term paper

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Mid-term paper format

Length: 3000 words Deadline:+ Soft copy: sent to: levanhai1979@yahoo.com no later than 15/4/2013.+ Hard copy submitted on 16/4/2013.+ Presentation and peer review: 16/4 and 23/4. Referencing style: Harvard system is

preferred Title page: Follow rule of the University

Mid-term paper format