Telegram from V. Zorin on Chinese-Vietnamese Relations

Secret. Copy #___

CC CPSU

The USSR Ambassador to the DRV, cde. Lavrishchev reports (by special telephone from Hanoi #648) that, as he was informed by Ho Chi Minh and Pham Van Dong, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has decided to recall this year its political and economic advisors from the DRV.  Ho Chi Minh also stated that during his stay in Beijing, he asked the Chinese comrades to leave at least a portion of their advisors in the DRV, however, the Chinese comrades did not agree with this request and expressed the opinion that general political and economic issues between the PRC and the DRV need to be discussed through a high-level exchange of opinions.  Ho Chi Minh and Pham Van Dong believe that the recall of all Chinese advisors will create additional difficulties for the Vietnamese.

In the opinions of cde. Lavrishchev and GUES [General Administration of Economic Relations with the People’s Democracies] representative cde. Fadeev, the Vietnamese comrades still very much need assistance in the areas of organizing the state apparatus, restarting the economy, and especially in organizing planning and education.

The USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes it would be sensible to instruct our Ambassador in Beijing to tactfully raise this question with Chinese friends and let them know that we are interested in having further assistance provided to the DRV by way of Chinese advisors.

The draft Resolution is attached.

Please examine.

V. Zorin

23 September 1955
to 424/V3