751G.00/5–2454: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
4521. Repeated information Geneva 289, Saigon 543. Re Geneva’s Secto 261, repeated Saigon 95, Paris 3021 Embassy officer saw Ngo Dinh Diem today. Although obviously pleased re-establish contact US official, he was in such state excitement at prospect new responsibilities that much he said was vague, rambling and even unintelligible. His impression that movements followed by French and Viet Minh agents which had caused him insist on elaborate arrangements for meeting Embassy officer (contributed to nervous state). Nevertheless, he talked steadily for two hours, of which following are high points.
He was summoned May 14 from abbey in Bruges where then living to see Bao Dai Paris. Brother, Ngo Dinh Luyen, had acted as intermediary. Preliminary contacts successful with Bao Dai explaining need Diem and latter agreeing to re-enter political arena. Bao Dai proceeded Genva immediately thereafter and ordered Buu-Loc to return Saigon on grounds that deteriorating situation there required presence one of two men and Bao Dai had to remain France to direct Vietnam delegation Geneva. Although Buu-Loc could not categorically refuse order he employed delaying tactics to postpone departure in hopes that Bao Dai would change mind.
Instead Emperor ordered Nguyen De inform Buu-Loc he was dismissed. He did so by telephone from Evian to St. Julien and again instead of acting on instructions Buu-Loc delayed. When asked how this was possible Diem explained that Bao Dai was “weak”, hated to make important decisions and even then could often be dissuaded from them later. No one knew this better or took greater advantage of it than Buu-Loc.
Bao Dai had, in meanwhile, decided send Diem to Saigon immediately re-explore possibilities form new government while at same time helping restore rapidly deteriorating situation Saigon. He gave Diem papers stating official purpose trip and Imperial sponsorship.
When Diem’s new role became known to Buu-Loc he proceeded pay him court. He offered use official funds for trip Saigon, claimed to have instructed Quat give Diem carte blanche, etc. After coming Paris May 21 this purpose, Buu-Loc proceeded Cannes where Bao Dai had gone from Evian. He is there now “attempting to persuade Bao Dai to revoke his decisions”.
[Page 1609]Diem leaves Wednesday night2 by train for Cannes to consult with Bao Dai on Thursday prior to taking Friday’s plane from Nice for Saigon. Fully intends carry out his part bargain although he admitted on questioning that Buu-Loc may succeed in changing Bao Dai’s mind or at least getting him agree compromise. Diem stated that Buu-Loc and closest advisers, including Dac-Khe and Foreign Minister Dinh are concerned with only one thing—scraping bottom of every financial barrel in Vietnam and transferring proceeds to France before ship sinks. Buu-Loc has resided in France for years and both De and Dinh have French wives and intend to stay here. They are indulging in scandalous practices to line coffers including sending of many unnecessary Vietnamese officials to France on slightest pretext in order to establish reason for transferring large sums of money for their “maintenance”. Diem claims Buu-Loc received million and half piasters from the Binh Xuyen when they were given office of Chief of Surete in Saigon. When we stated it had been rumored that Bao Dai had also received something Diem admitted it was probably true because Emperor although true patriot was so “weak” (faible).
As on past occasions, we were strongly impressed with Ngo’s simplicity, naivete and honesty. He impresses one as a mystic who has just emerged from a religious retreat into the cold world which is, in fact, almost what he has done. He appears too unworldly and unsophisticated to be able to cope with the grave problems and unscrupulous people he will find in Saigon. Yet his apparent sincerity, patriotic fervor and honesty are refreshing by comparison and we are led to think that these qualities may outweigh his other deficiencies. The grossly unrealistic attitude to current problems he has displayed in past appears to have improved. Certainly he is much less emotionally anti-French than before and he referred to the true nature of the Viet Minh with a more realistic appreciation of factors involved than in past. He spoke of impossibility of collaborating with Viet Minh and of need of doing so with France, US and “our other allies”. He referred with pride to the new Franco-Vietnamese relationship of equal states in voluntary association.
On balance we were favorably impressed but only in the realization that we are prepared to accept the seemingly ridiculous prospect that this Yogi-like mystic could assume the charge he is apparently about to undertake only because the standard set by his predecessors is so low.
We are seeing him again tomorrow.
- Telegram Secto 261 from Geneva, May 20, reported that the U.S. Delegation had been approached by Ngo Dinh Luyen, who had indicated that his brother, Ngo Dinh Diem, was being considered by Bao Dai as a replacement for Premier Buu Loc. The delegation suggested that the Embassy in France contact Diem in a discreet manner to determine his views. For the memorandum of the conversation between Ngo Dinh Luyen and Under Secretary Smith, May 18, transmitted to Washington in telegram Secto 261, see vol. xvi, p. 843.↩
- May 26.↩