751G.00/11–1654: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Achilles) to the Department of State
2091. Repeated information Saigon 299. Embassy officer delivered Department’s declaration of policy on Indochina contained in Deptel 16731 to Bao Dai orally today. As the same ground had been largely covered in our recent previous conversation, Bao Dai had little to add to what he had said at that time. He fully appreciates U.S. objectives and policies outlined in the declaration and stated categorically that he is prepared to do his share by giving his full support to Ngo Dinh Diem while there is a chance of his succeeding. It was to demonstrate this fact that he had summoned General Hinh to Paris. He noted Department’s use of term “a government of national union around Prime Minister Diem” and stated that he interpreted this to mean that we would not outlaw possibility of broadening of present government but at the moment were not prepared to consider a substitute government to replace it. We confirmed this fact. He expressed hope that General Collins as “a new broom” could influence Diem into action.
Bao Dai admitted that his principal concern now was that Hinh not follow orders and return to Paris November 18 as expected. Bao Dai has sent Hinh no further message and does not intend to do so unless he fails to leave on schedule in which case he would take action to discipline him. Bao Dai spoke of not pressing Hinh too much at this time else he “lose face” and use this as another excuse for deferring departure.
[Page 2258]In discussing “the formation of a government of national union around Diem“, Bao Dai expressed hope that Hinh’s absence from Saigon, even if temporary, would make it possible for Diem to reconcile his differences with the sects and other leading Vietnamese personalities with a view to bringing them into his government. We asked Bao Dai what his opinion was of General Alessandri’s supposed ideas re broadening government. He thought they were interesting but impractical because they would prove to be unacceptable to Diem. We asked his opinion of incorporating either Buu Hoi or Buu Loc into government. This afforded Bao Dai, as we had hoped, opportunity disavow Buu Hoi which he lost no time in doing on grounds that Vietnam was suffering from a spate of “intellectual” leaders like Buu Hoi and Diem while what she needed were men of action. Vietnam could no longer afford the luxury of the “experiments” of intellectuals, he said. Diem had qualities of character but he must now move into action and could only do so if he permitted others but his brothers to help him.
Bao Dai stated he would remain in Paris for the foreseeable future and hoped to maintain contact with the Embassy as things developed.