155. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State1
1114. For Hilsman from Trueheart. Embassy telegram 1107.2 Thuan reports another full day on Buddhist problem yesterday and most encouraging progress. GVN commission (Vice President, Thuan and Luong) met from 4 to 10 pm with Buddhist leaders Thich Thien Minh (reftel) and Thich Thien Hoa (representing southern Buddhists). Entire ground had to be gone over again but result, Thuan said, was “precisely” same as Minh-Thuan agreement previously arrived at (reftel). Hence GVN representatives and Buddhist representatives have now officially reached full agreement on referendum. Thuan has assurance that President will ratify it and is also confident that Buddhists will. Minh left for Hue this morning, accompanied by Thuan’s “emissary,” and is expected to return in two or three days for final conclusion of agreement. At that point, full content of agreement will be published and Buddhist leaders will be received by President. Thuan said that Thich Tinh Khiet, octogenarian chief bonze now fasting in Hue, will also come to Saigon for final act. Thuan told me in great confidence that his “emissary”, who is sort of lay bonze—he lives the life of a bonze but does it at home—will live for the next few days with Minh and Khiet in pagoda at Hue to make sure that extremists do not upset agreement.
Meanwhile, truce as described reftel is to go into effect immediately. In this connection, Thuan said that in addition to removing uniformed men from vicinity of pagodas, he had this morning directed military authorities in I Corps area to avoid demonstrations of force as much as possible.
Also joint communique on yesterday’s GVN-Buddhist meeting was issued this morning. Full text follows.3 Operative portion states that exchange of views took place from 1600 to 2200 on the “desiderata [Page 360] of the faithful Buddhists enunciated by the General Association of Buddhists of Viet-Nam. The meeting took place in an atmosphere marked by cordiality and understanding”. Minh is described in communique as Vice President of Buddhist Association of Central Region and member of Committee of General Association of Buddhists of Viet-Nam charged with affairs of Buddhist students and youth.
Finally, President Diem is today delivering radio message.4 I do not yet have text but gist, according to Thuan, is that President has up to now left Hue affair to local authorities. Mistakes have been committed on both sides. President is concerned, asks for calm and time for him to settle problem.
I told Thuan that this was very gratifying and that I was sure that Washington was most appreciative of role he personally has played in it.
Thuan asked that we continue to hold closely details of agreement and means by which it was reached.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, SOC 14-1 S VIET. Top Secret; Operational Immediate; Limit Distribution.↩
- Document 153.↩
- Telegram 1115 from Saigon, June 6. (Department of State, Central Files, SOC 14-1 S VIET)↩
- The text of this address was transmitted to the Department in telegram 1125 from Saigon, June 7. (Ibid.)↩