751G.13/11–1353: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
845. Repeated information Paris 243, Hanoi unnumbered. De Jean told me yesterday he will go to Dalat November 14 to talk with Bao Dai. [Page 862] From his last talk with His Majesty De Jean believes that Bao Dai intends to change Vietnamese Cabinet within next 15 days, although he admits possibility His Majesty may procrastinate, recalling that it took latter 3 months to decide to get rid of Prime Minister Huu.
De Jean said he did not intend, and indeed could not, intervene in question of formation of new government beyond stating to Bao Dai that in French opinion Tam should be offered an important post in whatever new government was formed, possibly post of Minister of Interior. Tam was an element of strength in Vietnamese political picture. He had been essentially correct in his relations with French and had chalked up a very good record as Prime Minister. Of course, if Tam refused to accept an important new appointment, he, De Jean, would not insist that further effort be made to keep him in government.
Having disclaimed any intention of intervening in formation of new government, De Jean then asked my opinion as to who might best preside [over] it, mentioning name of Tri. I said that at the present time I saw no possible successor of Tam, aside from Tri, capable of forming and conducting an effective government. De Jean observed that that was also his idea, although there would be opposition in Cochin China to giving the government to a northerner, but added that Cochin Chinese would have to overcome their anti-northern prejudices in present situation. I remarked that Ngo Dinh Diem enjoyed personal prestige but there was some doubt, in view of his personal intransigence, whether he could organize and lead a governmental team. De Jean said that opinion in Paris was that Diem would not be an effective Prime Minister and that Bao Dai had in effect told him same thing. As. for Buu Loc, I remarked that he had not exactly shone in his handling of recent National Congress. De Jean said that Buu Loc was a very clever man as shown by his speeches and statements, but that he was out of touch with internal political scene and it was too early to consider him as a chief of government. In any case Buu Loc had a very important job to fulfill in Paris in appeasing official and public opinion aroused by unfortunate resolutions of recent National Congress.