751G.11/11–752: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
964. Rptd info Paris unn, Hanoi unn. Bao Dai reed me yesterday. Regretting that his busy program (he left early this morning) wld prevent thorough discussion of situation with me, he asked me to come to Ban Me Thuot in few days for longer talks. He thanked me for prompt MSA aid to typhoon victims at Phan Thiet which he wld visit shortly as well as Viet mil sector in Tonkin. He wld celebrate his 40th birthday very quietly. He had directed that credits set up for natl observance his anniversary be given to typhoon sufferers. There wld be no birthday ceremonies and simple letter of good wishes from me as Dean of Dipl Corps was all that was expected.
- 1.
- He had been most pleased by his reception in France, extremely impressed by Pinay and kindly reed by Auriol. He wanted know whether I had seen Letourneau fol latter’s call. (Had no opportunity to learn what transpired during Letourneau–Bao Dai mtg since former left Saigon early this a.m.) Bao Dai went on say while he found understanding and support in all sectors of Fr Govt from Auriol down, he was having difficulties with High Comm. Fact of matter was Letourneau did not like him. I observed that I had heard no indication of Letourneau‘s disliking him. Bao Dai went on say there was great dissatisfaction among all Fr polit parties over Letourneau‘s acting as High Comm while retaining the Min of Assoc States. Bao Dai thought by end of year Letourneau wld have to drop his High Commissionership. Bao Dai remarked he had nothing personally against Letourneau and had in fact supported latter on various occasions.
- 2.
In answer to my inquiry, Bao Dai stated Empress in excellent health and was very anxious in near future to travel incognito to US. He asked me what I thought of project, I replied that I personally thought it might be interesting for her but wld ascertain my govt’s reactions or suggestions. Empress he said had long wanted to visit States and while she wld travel incognito she might have some useful conversations with various people. As a girl she had spoken English fairly well but was rather out of practice. She wld be accompanied by niece.
Note: Dept pls instruct as to statements to be made re proposed visit.
- 3.
- Bao Dai‘s visit to France had by no means been rest cure since he had seen great many people. Univ of Montpellier, however, had at last found cause of his eye trouble and physical debility diagnosing liver flukes. He wld have to undergo rather rigorous treatment here for several months. He planned return France briefly in four or five months for medical observation and final check-up.
- 4.
- He had been much pleased with development of Crown Prince who was really first class student and seriously interested in affairs of his country.
- 5.
- Immed on his return he had been confronted with problem of relations between Pres Tam and Giao and Binh. He had refused to make decision until he had had chance to investigate matter.
- 6.
- He was not at all satisfied with program of building up Viet Army. At start, it had been thought necessary to pay Viet soldiers on same scale as French. This was utterly beyond financial abilities of Vietnam over any extended period and, in effect, considering Viet standards, soldiers were overpaid. Army as it now stood was luxury. There wld be resistance, of course, to lowering pay scales but he felt sure that mil wld accept cut. Because of high pay and also because of lack of officers and non-coms, there had been no net increase in Franco-Viet Forces. To be sure, Fr Union Forces had turned over to natl army large number of battalions previously directly paid by French, but of regular 40 Viet battalions only one and one-half battalions were new additional units. He wld ask Fr to accept larger number of Viet officers for year’s training in France, but for considerable time to come it wld be necessary for Fr provide officers and non-coms for bulk of Viet Forces. He suggested that Viet battalion units were too light-staffed in accordance with European standards but in excess of local requirements. It wld be sufficient to have one company officer and few noncoms for most Viet companies.