751G.00/8–554: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
priority
458. Repeated information Paris 165, priority Tokyo 9, Manila 58, Hanoi unnumbered. I returned yesterday from two days in Hanoi and Haiphong. I saw French and Vietnamese military and civilian authorities and visited refugee camps and reception centers. Briefly French have neither transportation facilities nor organization to live up to their promise to transport all Vietnamese who wish to take refuge in South Vietnam. Mass migration of several hundred thousand North Vietnamese who wish to escape communism will be failure unless US Government can bring planes and ships to Tonkin this month.
As it now stands French by air and sea hope to evacuate only 80,000 refugees during month of August. Meanwhile, according to Vietnamese figures which are probably roughly accurate, there are in Hanoi, Haiduong, and Haiphong a counted total of some 120,000 refugees from outside those cities and more are still coming in. This figure does not take into account inhabitants of those cities who will wish to leave. It is yet impossible to estimate what will be eventual total number of refugees. Vietnamese refugee organization estimates there will be at least 700,000. Whether it will fall short of that number or exceed it depends on several factors, one of most important of which is whether rapid transportation can be provided in these next days to come. If it is learned that refugees can leave Hanoi and Haiphong promptly, more refugees will get to these cities. Meanwhile, Viet Minh is employing very effective propaganda, terrorism, and measures to [Page 1922] prevent departure of these refugees, all of course in violation of Geneva agreements.
Ngo Dinh Diem last night and Foreign Minister in note handed to me today1 have asked that US provide transportation if possible to bring up schedule of evacuation to 160,000 by 15 August.
General Allard and Salan’s Chief of Staff will return from north tonight with figures as to number of planes and vessels which they ask US to furnish. General O’Daniel is sending a group tomorrow north for quick study of requirements. Pending Allard’s report Departments of Navy and Air, and CINCPAC and CINCFE, should be urgently informed of this situation.
It is our considered judgment here that this vitally important mass movement of non-Communist population from North Vietnam will be a failure with political and psychological repercussions that may well be disastrous unless US steps boldly and strongly forward and deals with problem. In view of inexperience and incompetence of Vietnamese authorities and daily demonstrated confusion, lack of adequate planning and incorrigibly weak staff work on part of French, US is only source for leadership, planning, direction and facilities to carry out this vital operation. If large part of refugees are not moved in remainder of this month, success of this whole venture will be gravely imperiled.2
I believe that President should be informed of this situation.
- The note has not been found in Department of State files.↩
- In telegram 478 from Saigon, Aug. 6, Ambassador Heath reported that French authorities had “urgently and formally requested US assistance in providing surface transportation for refugees from Haiphong to Saigon.” The French estimated that shipping for up to 100,000 persons would be required. (751G.00/8–654)↩