251G.51G22/8–1754: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Vietnam1
priority
652. We seriously concerned with report set out your 613.2
You are instructed immediately to secure an audience with Diem and say that US having responded with such speed and in terms such magnitude his request for transportation in lifting evacuees from Tonkin is dismayed at apparent complete lack proper facilities for reception these refugees upon their arrival in South Viet Nam. Inform Diem US while glad give aid Free Viet Nam must condition its aid upon performance by Vietnamese Government. You should orally suggest to Prime Minister that Phuoc who now responsible Vietnamese refugee program should be given powers of requisition of civilian labor and transport facilities, an adequate staff and under direct instruction Prime Minister full support from General Hinh and Vietnamese National Army.3
You likewise authorized inform General Ely serious view we take this situation and read to General Ely or Deputy text instructions sent [Page 1962] Dillon to make an immediate démarche with French Government on this problem. This text provided in next succeeding telegram.4
- Drafted by McClintock. Repeated for information to Paris as 624, to Manila as 642, to Tokyo as 373, and to Hanoi as 215.↩
- Dated Aug. 17, p. 1951.↩
- In telegram 654 from Saigon, Aug. 20, Heath reported that on Aug. 19, prior to the receipt of the Department’s telegram, an Embassy official had discussed the refugee problem with Diem, and that it seemed unwise to raise the question again immediately. Heath also reported that the first U.S. naval ship with 2,000 refugees had docked on Aug. 19. (251G.51G22/8–2054)↩
- The instructions sent to Ambassador Dillon are contained in telegram 625 to Paris (653 to Saigon), Aug. 19, infra. In telegram 693 from Saigon, Aug. 24, Heath reported that an Embassy official had read the message to Acting Commissioner General Daridan on Aug. 21. Daridan had characterized the message as “pretty strong.” (251G.51G22/8–2454)↩