751G.00/12–1354: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Vietnam1
2444. This afternoon Robertson saw Senator Mansfield re Saigon’s 2250 repeated Paris 706.2 Mansfield reiterated his views outlined in paragraphs 1–4 in Deptel 2333 to Saigon repeated Paris 21033 emphasizing difficulties and complexities facing us in Free Vietnam. He continues believe we should support Diem but make clear desirability and necessity for Diem to cooperate with us in return. This means he must appoint and delegate responsibility to competent ministers and for good of country relieve his relatives from inside track. Senator Mansfield recognizes Diem’s weaknesses but emphasized his virtues of honesty, incorruptibility, patriotism and self-evident anti-Communism. He fears replacement would create seriously increased confusion and even anarchy.
If Diem and Vietnamese cannot with our support create reasonably effective setup in Vietnam, or if French are sub rosa manipulating deal with Viet Minh at expense Free Vietnam, only choice for US is withdrawal effort bolster Free Vietnam, in Senator’s opinion. He recognizes sharp reduction US aid or withdrawal support Free Vietnam could have tremendous repercussions Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
He again expressed strong opinion Quat should be defense minister. He is willing to have you pass these views to Diem discreetly if that would help your efforts rapidly improve competence Diem Government. Saigon’s 2285 repeated Paris 7174 arrived after Mansfield interview.
[Page 2379]Therefore leave to your discretion transmittal Senator’s views as advice of good friend to Diem.
Re Bao Dai, Senator expressed considerable skepticism and reluctance re his return Saigon.
Mansfield thought his views might carry some weight with Diem because he knows Mansfield is impartial, objective and Diem has had printed and distributed 100,000 copies Mansfield report.