120.251G/11–154: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Vietnam1
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1809. For Ambassador Heath from Secretary.
[Here follows a paragraph which is identical in substance to the first paragraph of telegram 1608 to Paris, November 1, supra.]
It is essential that the Governments of Viet-Nam and France be informed about the President’s decision before any public announcement is made. Accordingly, you are requested immediately to inform Diem, or in his absence appropriate high authority, as follows:
The President has temporarily relieved General J. Lawton Collins of his assignment to the Military Committee of NATO and designated him as Special U.S. Representative with the personal rank of Ambassador to direct and coordinate an urgent emergency program to help meet the threats to Viet-Nam’s independence and security. As you may know Ambassador Heath’s tour of duty in Saigon is completed and he is about to leave in the immediate future. General Collins will temporarily have broad authority to direct, utilize and control all agencies and resources of the U.S. Government with respect to Viet-Nam. He has the complete confidence of the President, myself and other interested Departments and Agencies. The visits which General Collins has already made to Viet-Nam while Chief of Staff U.S. Army have familiarized him with the background. I am sure that you will welcome this action of the President. End message.
I desire that you act on above instructions immediately and report your conversation urgently so that plans can proceed for public announcement if possible Tuesday afternoon Washington time and with departure Wednesday November 3, 1954 for Saigon. You should also inform General Ely.
- Drafted by Young of PSA. Repeated to Paris for information as telegram 1609.↩