751G.00/6–1554: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
[Received 9:13 p.m.]
4862. Repeated information Geneva 399, Saigon 608, Hanoi 23. Embtel 4756, (Saigon 589) June 8.1 We saw Ngo Dinh Diem last evening and discussed with him AFP reports from Saigon to effect Buu Loc would offer resignation this week and that he, Diem, had accepted in principle form new government. Diem said Buu Loc had been reluctant resign as agreed for reason he presently engaged in transferring as much money as possible out of Vietnam but that Bao Dai had that day sent word to him to do so at once. According Diem, premature disclosure to press Saigon of proposed change in premiership undoubtedly [Page 1696] emanated from Buu Loc who bitter over being forced resign. Diem said that while he anticipated opposition to his appointment from those elements in France anxious to conclude a settlement IC conflict on partition or best terms available, he did not consider such opposition as might now manifest itself as likely interfere with his appointment. This connection, Diem said that it would be necessary replace present Vietnamese delegation at Geneva with men less amenable to French direction, and that it would be necessary to find stronger man Buu Loc to carry on job High Commissioner Paris.
Diem said that as soon as he had received the official request from Bao Dai to form government, which he expects will be forthcoming shortly, he would devote approximately three days thereafter to consultation with French officials at Paris prior to departure for Saigon. He said he particularly desired to see Ely on his return end of this week since in his, Diem’s view, most important matter was to get on with formation autonomous Vietnamese Army. This connection, he said it would be necessary replace General Hinh but admitted he did not know who could take over job. Diem emphasized that loss of delta through military defeat or partition would mean loss of all of Vietnam to Viet Minh and hence must be held. He admitted, however, that time remaining was short. His only solution is greater and more direct US assistance.
Embassy comment: In the more than one-hour conversation, which was essentially a monologue, Diem criticized everyone from Bao Dai down, and while he left no doubt as to his sincerity of purpose, we could not help but gain distinct impression that if he finds himself in position Prime Minister shortly, he may have little to offer other than to reiterate that the solution of the Vietnamese problem depends on the assumption of increased responsibilities by US. If that should prove to be the case, it would then appear that a change in the present Vietnamese Government is not likely to affect appreciably course of events with respect to Vietnam.
- Telegram 4756 from Paris, June 8, regarding the possibility of Buu Loc being replaced as Premier of Vietnam by Ngo Dinh Diem, is not printed. (751G.00/6–854)↩