The Western allies did not have a unified position on what the Conference was to achieve in relation to Indochina . Anthony Eden , leading the British delegation , favored a negotiated settlement to the conflict . Georges Bidault , leading the French delegation , vacillated and was keen to preserve something of France 's position in Indochina to justify past sacrifices , even as the nation 's military situation deteriorated . The US had been supporting the French in Indochina for many years and the Republican Eisenhower administration wanted to ensure that it could not be accused of another " Yalta " or having " lost " Indochina to the Communists . Its leaders had previously accused the Democratic Truman administration of having " lost China " when the Communists were successful in taking control of the country
Yalta
Yalta Conference
1954 Geneva Conference