152. Memorandum From the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research to the Acting Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Intelligence Note: Internal Opposition to the Government in South Vietnam
Developments in Korea and Turkey2 tend to give added interest to recent reports of internal opposition to the administration of President Ngo Dinh Diem in South Vietnam. The terrorist successes of Communist agents during the past few months have benefited, it has been pointed out, from popular apathy or even resentment to Saigon in areas where the Communists have been operating. Now a small group of non-Communists has come forward openly to challenge Diem, who exercises strict political control of the country. The seeds of unrest are present, but Diem’s position does not appear to be seriously in danger.
Recently a growing number of Saigon intellectuals and disgruntled former government officials have been deprecating Diem’s leadership and the government’s programs, and have especially deplored official restrictions on personal liberties. Some of these individuals have been active openly, others covertly, but none have apparently been able to gain any significant popular support or influence among the army, and they have even failed to unite among themselves. While they may be motivated in part by their own political ambitions, some undoubtedly are seriously concerned over authoritarian trends in Saigon.
As reported in the press, a political organization calling itself the “Liberty and Progress Party” sent a petition to President Diem on April 26, charging government corruption, denial of civil liberties, and dictatorial one-party rule. The petition demanded liberalization of the government and guarantee of civil liberties. About half of its 18 signers are former members of Bao Dai cabinets, and three have served as ministers under President Diem for short periods. All appear to be anti-Communist. The group does not as yet appear to have any appreciable support outside intellectual-elite circles in Saigon, and in itself probably does not pose any serious threat to Diem’s leadership.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/5–360. Confidential. A note on the source text indicates that Acting Secretary Dillon saw this memorandum.↩
- References are to the riots in South Korea against the government of Syngman Rhee and his resignation on April 27, and to the unrest in Turkey against the government of President Celal Bayar and Premier Adnan Menderes which subsequently resulted in a military overthrow in late May.↩