751G.00/5–2654: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
4538. Repeated information Geneva 295, Saigon 545. Re Embtel 4521 repeated Geneva 287 [289] Saigon 543.1 We saw Ngo Dinh Diem again last night after announcement had been made that Buu Loc was returning to Saigon.
Diem stated that Bao Dai had sent “family emissary” to Diem to report that Buu Loc had now agreed to resigning and facilitating [Page 1615] formation of new government by Diem. As this might be long drawn out process and as immediate need was so great Buu Loc was returning immediately to Saigon. Diem himself leaves today for Cannes to spend some days with Bao Dai and thereafter plans tentatively leave for Saigon from Paris June 1. We will see him again when he passes through en route from Cannes to Saigon next week.
When we inquired whether Diem could trust Buu Loc to carry out his part of the bargain, he stated that, although he did not trust him, he did not think he would dare defy Bao Dai. It was recalled that both Huu and Tam took considerable time getting out of office after being given walking papers by Bao Dai.
We asked Diem’s opinion of statement reported in press made by Buu Loc in Geneva following interview with Under Secretary.2 He was generally in favor of immediate signature of two basic treaties of independence and association, but thought there might have to be minor adjustments made to texts. Vietnam wished to be member French Union but wanted it to be clear that she was joining fully of own volition and after having been granted full independence (which of course she retained even though a member of Union). Minor adjustments to texts would accomplish this purpose.
He agreed with proposal that US undertake training Vietnamese forces. But he had strong reservations on advisability organizing elected National Assembly. It would be impossible to risk elections for the foreseeable future and even if an assembly were created by “designation” it would be a very risky business and the authority of the Assembly would have to be strictly limited. When we suggested the Assembly might be a constitutional Assembly and empowered to act only in advisory capacity, he thought this good suggestion.
In response our question as to extent French were participating in or aware of plans for formation Diem Government he stated that they suspected that something was in wind but had not been informed. He himself believed as he hoped Bao Dai did that nothing should be done without full knowledge and cooperation of French and he intended to proceed along these lines after consulting with Bao Dai. His own relations with French authorities Paris were excellent although he had some reservations about DeJean.
Finally he spoke at some length about Colonel Vy whom Bao Dai had sent to see him yesterday and whom he described as No. 2 to Hinh. Diem intended use him in high position National Army after dismissing Hinh whom he described as “factitious Frenchman”. If he [Page 1616] found he needed experienced high-ranking officer to command National Army he would hire a good foreign one, French or US but not take an imitation who was no good anyway.
- Dated May 24, p. 1608.↩
- The meeting between Under Secretary Smith and Prince Buu Loc on May 25 is described in telegram Secto 298 from Geneva of the same date; for text, see vol. xvi, p. 914.↩