Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 2

751G.13/9–2254: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France¹

top secret
niact

Washington, September 23, 1954—9:37 a.m.

1063. Saigon 1150 repeated Paris 395, Saigon 1154 repeated Paris 397. Saigon 1165 repeated Paris 405.² Under changed circumstances Department believes time has come notify Bao Dai of our policy regarding political situation Saigon. Department previously refrained from approaching Bao Dai on subject Diem government for reason given our 1038 to Saigon repeated Paris 962.³ However Department desires Embassy Paris send representative Bao Dai soonest to make following points:

1. As stated our 1044 [1144] to Saigon repeated Paris 1038⁴ we support sects joining Diem government and hope this can be arranged as soon as possible, as contribution toward government based on nationalist aspirations of people and which would vigorously oppose Communist infiltration to gain control free Vietnam. We believe such government should be given chance attack urgent problems.

2. US position support government of Diem is not changed. We understand Cao Dai and Hoa Hao on point joining Diem government which affords at least temporary solution current crisis.

3. We have information General Le Van Vien is telling Cao Dai and Hoa Hao he has mandate from Bao Dai end Diem government and form one himself.

4. US does not intend in future any more than in past to intervene internal matters Vietnam. Yet instability and absence of government and efforts prevent formation broadly based administration around Diem are seriously limiting a development of US policy with respect free Vietnam. Therefore we sincerely hope Diem can be encouraged continue in office with broadened representation of his selection with support of nationalist elements to strengthen free Vietnam and resist Communist efforts seize control.

AmEmbassy Paris should inform AmEmbassy Saigon regarding timing delivery above note so Saigon could inform Diem this action. French Foreign Office should be notified of substance message. We do not believe note should be publicized.⁵

Smith

1. Drafted by Kenneth T. Young (Acting Director) and Robert Hoey of PSA. Also sent to Saigon as niact telegram 1172.
2. For telegrams 1150 and 1154 from Saigon, Sept. 21, see pp. 2041 and 2044, respectively. In telegram 1165 of Sept. 22, not printed, Ambassador Heath reiterated his request that the Embassy in Paris sound out Bao Dai. (751G.13/9–2254)
3. See footnote 1, p. 2025.
4. See footnote 2 to telegram 1154, p. 2044.

5. In telegram 1233 from Paris, Sept. 23, Ambassador Dillon again expressed his opposition to an approach to Bao Dai. The telegram concluded as follows: “We continue to feel here that there is some merit in French position, namely that any hope maintaining free Vietnamese state depends at this stage in good measure on Franco-American cooperation and that unilateral action by either country might well work to disadvantage longer term interests Vietnam.” (751G.13/9–2354) The Department replied in telegram 1074 to Paris (1181 to Saigon), also Sept. 23, that the fall of the Diem government prior to or during the Washington talks would immeasurably complicate matters and endanger the ability of the United States to provide aid. To avoid this, it was necessary to either approach Bao Dai directly or to ask the French to use their influence with him to stabilize the situation. The question should be discussed with the French who should be made aware that the United States was prepared to confront Bao Dai if France was unable to achieve the desired result. (751.13/9–2354)

   The matter was discussed in Paris with General Ely on Sept. 24. Ambassador Dillon reported in telegram 1256 of the same date that it had been agreed with the General that Maurice Dejean, former Commissioner General in Indochina, should see Bao Dai to counsel him against making any move which might place in jeopardy the Diem government prior to the conclusion of the Washington talks. (751G.13/9–2454) Meanwhile, in telegram 1204 from Saigon, Sept. 24, Ambassador Heath expressed his disagreement with the course of action being pursued, contending that the French could not be relied upon to influence Bao Dai in a manner consistent with the position of the United States. (751G.13/9–2454)