120.251G/11–254: Telegram
The Ambassador in Vietnam (Heath) to the Department of State
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1675. Repeated information niact Paris 559. I saw Diem at one and again at four this afternoon and informed him of substance of Deptel sent Paris 1608, Saigon 1808,1 and Deptel 1809 repeated Paris 1609,2 which last only received at three p.m.
[Page 2203]When I first saw Diem he asked for two or three hours to think matter over. When I saw him at four he said that of course he deeply appreciated President’s desire to help Vietnam in its present precarious situation and would be happy to welcome General Collins as special United States representative, the more so as he knew General Collins had a thorough knowledge of problems of Far East. There was one thing that bothered him personally and officially, that my departing so quickly might be interpreted as reflecting on me personally and policy I had followed. There had been newspaper rumors of my departure but I had never confirmed them and general belief was that I was to remain on for some time. He had only learned from my lips in our first talk today that I had planned to leave in any case on December 1. Therefore, while he would not object to press release being made tomorrow in Washington, he would ask that his Ambassador there be consulted prior to its issuance; his Ambassador might have some ideas that would avoid any unfortunate effects in Vietnam. He had given his Ambassador carte blanche to agree to anything.
I did my best to persuade Diem that there would be no comments harmful to his government or to me in prompt release of press announcement and told him of my personal friendship and respect for General Collins, but he was rather stubborn, insistent that his Ambassador in Washington be consulted prior to issuance press statement.
Late arrival of second telegram prevented me from going to Dalat today to see Ely because of bad flying conditions. I will go to Dalat early tomorrow morning and wire immediately on my return to Saigon before noon.