751G.13/9–2454: Telegram
The Ambassador in Vietnam (Heath) to the Department of State
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[Received 9:14 a.m.]
1213. Repeated information Paris 424. Shortly before 1 o’clock Dr. Fishel appeared at Embassy with instructions to report following: General Xuan had just been to see Diem to state he could not remain as Minister of Defense. Reason for his action, according to Xuan, was Hinh had received direct telegram from Bao Dai stating Bao Dai agreed with Hinh and was solving conflict by appointing Xuan to form new government. Xuan said accordingly Hinh was holding press conference at 1 p.m. today at which this news would be made public. Xuan said Hinh told him army and Binh Xuyen were going to organize “popular demonstrations” tomorrow against Diem government and specifically against Cao Dai and Hoa Hao if latter persisted in participating in Diem government.
Xuan reached into side pocket and brandished paper which he said was copy of Bao Dai telegram. He did not show telegram to Diem and latter did not have wit enough to snatch it out of his hand.
At this dramatic moment Diem had to leave for port for ceremony celebrating arrival of 100,000 refugees borne by US Navy from north. Ceremony scheduled 1 p.m. was delayed 45 minutes. During much this time Diem talked to me in by no means low voice of his troubles and perplexities. I replied I thought he should be calm and go ahead with his ceremony scheduled for four this afternoon to announce new government [Page 2055] as if nothing had happened. He obviously could not cancel announcing his new government on basis of unshown telegram from an interested party and I hoped Cao Dai and Hoa Hao would not back off on any such unsubstantiated news. President said, however, Xuan informed him of intention of letting two sects know of “Bao Dai’s decision”.
Hinh did not hold press conference at 1 p.m. as Xuan had said. Instead Xuan appeared alone and read press statement announcing his own resignation, repudiating Diem, and saying time had come for his dismissal. No mention was made of any telegram from Bao Dai nor any mandate to Xuan to form new government. (Text statement contained Embtel 1214, repeated Paris 425.)1 Xuan refused to answer any questions addressed by correspondents other than to state he was “the servitor of the people” and departed quickly.
At this writing Diem has just finished his own press conference announcing his new government including participation Hoa Hao and Cao Dai. No Minister Defense has been appointed but Col. Minh has been made Deputy Minister.
It is possible telegram from Bao Dai alleged by General Xuan is pure fiction of imagination and act to prevent Diem from forming new government with sects. On other hand, it is possible Bao Dai, due to our failure to reach him as recommended by this Embassy, has sent some such word to Hinh. Such uncertainty as this and perhaps attempts at bluff using Bao Dai’s name can be expected to continue in this unsettled situation if we do not have first hand knowledge by personal contact of Bao Dai’s intentions and if he does not have first hand knowledge of US position.
- Telegram 1214 from Saigon, Sept. 24, is not printed. (751G.00/9–2454)↩