751G.00/10–154: Telegram
The Chargé in Vietnam (Cameron) to the Department of State
niact
[Received 10:02 a.m.]
1296. Sent Paris 445. Paris for Ambassador Heath. Vietnamese emissary of General Xuan in commenting on Bao Dai’s telegrams reported Embassy telegram 1286, repeated Paris 4421 speculates Bao Dai’s intention was force Diem to resign. Vietnamese believe he would “lose too much face” and be obviously powerless should he accept arrangement suggested by Bao Dai take into Cabinet his sworn enemies (this seems to us to be reasonable assumption).
Daridan has just been in touch with us to say he is sending Wintrebert to Diem to advise President either to accept Bao Dai’s instructions or to play for time but in no event to refuse. When we commented to Daridan that for Diem to accept literal instructions from Bao Dai would leave him completely powerless, Daridan replied “but that is what you people have been talking about for some time isn’t it? You [Page 2106] want Diem but don’t mind if he is a powerless figurehead”. It was pointed out to him US wished Diem to lead government supported by as many groups and forces Vietnam as possible but did not wish him be their prisoner and completely powerless. Daridan was informed we had sent message Diem also counseling under no circumstances refuse flatly but to play for time pending Ambassador Heath’s conversations with Bao Dai and further developments.
Daridan said if Diem temporized or played for time he, Daridan, would carry out his plan leave tomorrow for Hue. If, however, Diem refused Daridan would remain Saigon as he would in that event expect trouble.
We ourselves believe that if Diem should refuse or give indications he is about to refuse Bao Dai’s instructions next move could very well be telegram from Bao Dai dismissing him at once and appointing General Xuan President. General Hinh and Binh Xuyen would be only too glad enforce Bao Dai’s order in this event taking cover of legality for their coup d’état against Diem. Unless Diem promptly releases Bao Dai’s telegram to him together with his own temporizing reply we believe there is danger sudden stroke of force against Diem over this weekend.
General Hinh, Binh Xuyen representatives and General Xuan held press conference at 5 o’clock at which Xuan was spokesman. They released texts Bao Dai telegrams to Bay Vien and Hinh and made statement to effect they had now received Bao Dai’s instructions which they interpret as orders and will take no further action at this time themselves. It is up to Diem to comply with Bao Dai’s orders and if he does not do so Diem will be a “rebel”.
Fishel telephoned 6:45 p.m. from Palace to say Wintrebert, in addition to counseling prompt temporizing reply to Bao Dai, had raised with Diem question authenticity Bao Dai telegram. According Fishel, Diem was favorably inclined accept advice regarding nature his reply and was considering enquiring privately into authenticity messages through his brother Luyen now in France.
- Telegram 1286 from Saigon, Oct. 1, not printed, contained the text of a telegram released in Saigon that day from Bao Dai to Ngo Dinh Diem in which the Chief of State requested the Premier to invite Generals Nguyen Van Hinh, Le Van Vien, and Nguyen Van Xuan to join his government, the latter as Vice Premier. Telegram 1286 also included the text of a message from Bao Dai to Hinh asking him to participate in the Diem government, and portions of a similar telegram from Bao Dai to Le Van Vien. (751G.00/1–1054)↩