751G.13/11–2054: Telegram
The Chargé in Vietnam (Kidder) to the Department of State
secret
Saigon, November 20, 1954—3
p.m.
1906. Repeated information Paris 624. From Collins.
- 1.
- I broached this morning with Diem question of promptly appointing Ministers of Defense and Interior and delegating full powers to them. I mentioned Quat as leading candidate for Defense. Diem indicated Sects opposed Quat because of actions he took against them during previous term as Defense Minister and said that Deputy Defense Minister Minh had advised against naming Quat because of latter’s personal enmity for Hinh. I replied that from all indications Quat was first rate man and if he had full authority Hinh would be obliged to subordinate himself to him. I added that I had been impressed by Minh and hoped he might remain as Deputy to form strong team with Quat and General Vy. At close conversation Diem said he anticipated Quat’s return from France today or tomorrow and he would definitely discuss with him possibility of Quat’s becoming Defense Minister.
- 2.
- Diem said he had reservations about General Vy who, he says, is not a man of character and moreover is pro-Hinh. Diem reproaches Vy for certain actions by military against civil authority in center Vietnam. This part of conversation was inconclusive.
- 3.
- With respect to Interior, Diem said he had no one in sight. Nobody except himself had adequate knowledge of both center and south Vietnam. Moreover, he felt he must have one important operating Ministry in his own hands. I suggested that if he felt he must retain one Ministry more suitable one for Prime Minister might be that of Reforms in which he could assert long range leadership and do much to shape future of his country. Various names were canvassed, but Diem declared most were inadmissible and none was universally acceptable. Tam in particular he rejected as being both corrupt and pro-French and in consequence complete antithesis of what Diem government represents. I shall follow up on this question next few days.
- 4.
- On leaving, I said I hoped to come back next week to explore with Diem question of early constitution of National Assembly.
Kidder