651.51G/10–1753: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
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672. Repeated information Paris 200, Hanoi 103.1 Hasty and ill-considered action of Vietnamese National Congress in voting resolution reported Embtel 668, repeated information Paris 197, Hanoi 100,2 has now resulted in sober second thought and reflection on part of responsible Vietnamese leaders both in Congress and out. Prince Buu Loc, who was delegated by Bao Dai to organize Congress and keep it on track, was horrified at yesterday’s resolution, has postponed his return to Paris, and is closeted with various personalities seeking ways and means to repair damage done. Tam told me this morning that he had been under interdiction from Bao Dai to concern himself with Congress and did not conceal his contempt for Tri and other northern and Dai Viet leaders, the Cao Daist Pope and others, who failed to exercise effective control over their delegations. Tam told me in confidence [Page 829] that yesterday after passage of resolution he had telegraphed Bao Dai recommending that Chief of State make declaration to French press expressing disbelief in text of resolution as passed and conjecture that text resulted from incorrect translation from the Vietnamese language. Bao Dai had replied this morning instruction Buu Loc not to permit Congress to close until yesterday’s gaffe had been repaired.
Last night Embassy officers and I attended reception offered jointly by Buu Loc and Tam for Congressional members. It was apparent that majority of delegates had honestly no idea of import of language in resolution they had just passed. Only more politically literate members had by that time begun to see through after-image of patriotic glow which had temporarily blinded them and expressed regret at excessive blunt language used.
On analysis of yesterday’s events, it seems probable that Congress was cleverly sabotaged by pro-Viet Minh stooges in its midst. Tam said this morning that principal among these was representative of the Binh Xuyen, former Viet Minh adherent named Quynh, who drafted resolution and who at last minute struck from original text committee’s language which provided that Vietnam would not adhere to French Union “in its present form”. Tam likewise indicated that Viet Minh had infiltrated Cao Dai delegation and added that Cao Daist Pope, although fond of strutting on the podium, in reality had no political judgment or control over his delegation.
Last night more responsible elements in Congress sought belatedly to undo damage done. After voting by large majority to reconsider afternoon’s proceedings, Congress adopted by 141 votes out of 169 to restore motion to original form as drafted in committees; in other words, that Congress go on record as opposing adherence to French Union “in its present form”.
This amendment is locally regarded as master stroke of conciliation, but whether it will be so considered by French Parliament is open to question, since other operative paragraphs of resolution still stand and third paragraph of preamble with its stigma on French Constitution had not been modified.
I found DeJean this morning naturally most concerned at this sudden turn of events. Luckily his concern is matched by that of Prince Buu Loc, Tam and more responsible Dai Viet leaders, such as Dang Van Sung. I suggested to DeJean that possibly some of sting would be removed from yesterday’s resolution were Congress to pass another resolution expressing debt of gratitude of Vietnam to France for its past and present gallant sacrifices in defense of Vietnamese independence. This notion was likewise pleasing to both Tam and Buu Loc and Defense Minister Quat but latter two are doubtful it would be voted [Page 830] by Congress in its present temper. Quat will undoubtedly try to do something and Buu Loc also but it is doubtful that Buu Loc has much personal influence. Probably all that will happen is that in closing speech Kim,3 who presides, may say few words of gratitude for French effort and American contribution.
Latest word from Congress now in session is that Congress unable obtain names of 20 delegates willing take responsibility of serving on panel from which Bao Dai might select Vietnamese negotiating team and that Congress has passed resolution by big majority calling on Chief of State to select delegation from among its own two [garble] members, or elsewhere. Bao Dai also given alternative of coming back with clear orders to Congress to choose specific number delegates representing specific groups and with well-defined powers. Congress will hold closing session this afternoon. Since Buu Loc and Tam have been invited to address it, it is possible they will have opportunity to carry out instructions to prevent adjournment, but this now seems in doubt.
It is matter of extraordinary difficulty to convey degree of naiveté and childlike belief that no matter what defamatory language they use, the Vietnamese will still be safeguarded from lethal Communist enemy by France and US.
Objectives of our diplomacy at this critical juncture should, in our belief, be directed in Vietnam to bringing these people to sober realization of where they stand, dancing on brink of destruction; and in France to enlist those capacities of clear-sightedness and of true French greatness as world power to overlook this present irritant and to keep the national sights on the main stakes at issue.