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

120.251G/11–1354: Telegram

The Ambassador in Vietnam (Heath) to the Department of State

secret
priority

Saigon, November 13, 1954—6 p.m.

1819. Sent niact Paris 601, repeated information Department priority 1819. From Collins. Reference: Paris 288 repeated Department 2036.¹ Shortly after my arrival in Saigon series of briefings was arranged in routine fashion, last of which was to be given by Vietnamese army 13th. Two days ago we had unconfirmed reports Bao Dai had issued instructions to Hinh “to leave by first available airplane”. These reports were somewhat conflicting and by no means conclusive as to details.

Eleventh, as previously reported, I had contact with Hinh for first time. In course of discussion he expressed desire for me to visit areas being taken over from Viet Minh. I said this would be impossible for obvious political reasons. He admitted he had received instructions from Bao Dai to return to France but made no reference to their including order to report “by first available airplane”. He indicated he would probably leave 15th. I urged him comply with whatever instructions he had from Bao Dai. No reference was made by either of us to his conducting briefing scheduled 13th but since he indicated he would be leaving 15th I assumed he would in fact conduct briefing.

Late in afternoon of 12th Embassy Counselor was summoned by Diem for second time and told that Diem was afraid my attendance at briefing 13th would be used by Hinh as excuse for his failure to comply with alleged instructions from Bao Dai “to depart by first available airplane”. Diem and his brother, Luyen, urged that I cancel briefing. I replied through Counselor that such action would unjustifiably place me in most embarrassing position. However, I would bow to Prime Minister’s wishes if he insisted. In latter event I would have to send brief note to Hinh stating I had just been informed officially of instructions from Bao Dai and that in consequence I would not be able to attend briefing conducted by Hinh, but that after his departure. I would arrange for briefing by Vietnamese general staff. In lieu of this action I urged that briefing should go on as scheduled even though Hinh conducted it. If this were done, I agreed send message through Embassy Paris requesting to have Bao Dai informed of circumstances in the case.

This information was conveyed to Diem by Embassy Counselor and I understand my proposal to continue with the briefing was vigorously supported by Deputy Defense Minister Minh. Diem finally acquiesced unwillingly and on condition (1) message be transmitted to Bao Dai by Embassy Paris, which message he wished also transmit through his own channels, and (2) that I inform Hinh he not authorized use my arrival as pretext for delaying departure. (I am informing Diem of gist of message to Bao Dai but will not provide him with any text.)

General Hinh did conduct briefing this morning in exceptionally able manner. His exposition was precise, logical and forthright. He did all talking himself, clearly knew what he was talking about, and his proposals, except for size of forces envisaged, accorded with my own military experience.

I would greatly appreciate if Embassy Paris would convey sense of above paragraphs to Bao Dai. While I am loath to make any recommendations to man whom I do not know, I am convinced every possible effort must be made to preserve and put to use in Vietnam the talents which, in my judgment, Hinh possesses. He is relatively immature, politically ambitious and has certain amount of bombast in his makeup. However, under firm political control and direction he could make great contribution toward stabilizing situation in Vietnam and toward its future development.

Following briefing this morning, I talked to Hinh and informed him briefly of situation which arose afternoon of the twelfth. I told him I wanted to be sure this briefing could not be interpreted as a reason for his delayed departure. He promptly replied he had informed Bao Dai he was delaying his departure and would consider his action approved unless he heard to contrary from Bao Dai. I said, nevertheless, that in order to assure Bao Dai I intended for my part to send message to Bao Dai through Embassy Paris. He replied that this was wholly logical and agreed. Hinh then informed me he was leaving 18th. I expressed my regret he was delaying so long. Hinh replied that since he would be probably leaving for good, he had to wind up his affairs here and could not depart earlier.

Reference fourth paragraph Paris 288. While I received General Alessandri 11th, question of his return to consult with Bao Dai was not mentioned. Conversation was along lines his exposition to Heath reported 1796 to Department repeated Paris 596.²

Heath

1. In the reference telegram, Nov. 12, not printed, the Embassy in France reported that Bao Dai had received a message from General Hinh requesting a week’s delay in his departure from Vietnam in order to accompany General Collins on a tour of provinces in the central part of the country. (751G.00/11–1254)
2. See footnote 3, p. 2240.