751G.00/8–2954: Telegram
The Ambassador in Vietnam (Heath) to the Department of State
796. Repeated information Paris 268. Reference Embassy telegram 794, August 29.1 General Hinh came to see me this morning at my request. He launched into long justification of movement of sects and himself against Diem regime which, he said, because of its incapacity, largely due to Diem’s inveterate suspicion of everyone except small group of personal friends and supporters, was disorganizing country. I asked him what was his solution. He replied there were several possible solutions, “the last of which would be new government under titular authority of Diem”. He said he had come rather reluctantly to conclusion that last solution was best, although it was a “bourgeois” solution, whereas complete change of regime would provide salutary revolutionary shock to Vietnamese people. He said he had told Diem if he could designate men for seven or eight of Cabinet posts, he might be willing support him. Diem had replied if his candidates were better than those now in office, he would accept them. Hinh was to meet with Luyen and discuss matter this evening.
[Page 1996]I told Hinh that overthrow of Diem government by force would cause very unfavorable impression in US and elsewhere and obviously the solution was to come to amicable coalition arrangement with Diem. Hinh then asked what would be attitude of US if Diem refused reasonable proposal of this sort. I said I did not believe he would refuse and Hinh should be able formulate persuasive proposal. I said I had no desire to intervene in any internal political discussions but would be glad to be informed of results of his talk with Luyen. I told him I was sure my government was prepared to continue its present substantial aid program, but obviously could not do so unless there were honest, progressive, popular government capable of effectively utilizing such aid. Hinh protested new government would meet these qualifications. For one thing, sects were determined to put immediately into effect real agrarian reform which Diem was reluctant to undertake. I remarked I had no idea whether our aid program would be through French as heretofore or direct, but I felt certain my government would wish to see what was being done with large amount of foreign exchange which our aid would generate. There should be no recurrence of irregular transactions in foreign exchange and payments to sects or individuals should not be made by giving them permits to transfer money abroad or permits to export rice.
General Hinh said if he and sects came to terms with Diem, it would still be necessary to stage a “monster popular demonstration” to provide necessary “political shock”. But in this event “the people” would demonstrate in favor of new Diem Government instead of against Diem.
Hinh was nervous throughout our talk and did not seem overconfident. He observed in conclusion he thought new regime could beat Viet Minh infiltration. His orders to his officers were when they found a Communist leader to forget Geneva accords and kill him quietly and immediately.
I informed Ely briefly of my talk with Hinh before former left for Dalat. Ely said he was relieved to hear of Hinh’s professed intentions to come to amicable agreement with Diem. He said he had recent intelligence that sects and Hinh were not in quite as close agreement as they had been two days ago. Nevertheless, danger still existed they would suddenly provoke “popular demonstration” and force Diem to resign. He also remarked that he was informing Paris idea of coalition government presided over by ex-Premier Huu was impracticable and undesirable in view of latter’s public declarations favoring rapprochement with Viet Minh.
He again urged me talk to Tran Van An.
- In telegram 794, not printed, Ambassador Heath reported on a conversation with General Ely on the evening of Aug. 28 concerning the political situation. Ely had asked Heath to see both General Hinh and Tran Van An (a nationalist with connections with the Binh Xuyen) to point out the dangers and disadvantages of their plot to overthrow the Diem government. (751G.00/8–2954)↩