57. Letter From the Special Representative in Vietnam (Collins) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson)1
Dear Walter: I have been somewhat disturbed over the manner in which our Paris Embassy handled President Eisenhower’s letter to Bao Dai, and the conversation with Bao Dai re possible revocation of the decree placing control of police and Sûreté in the hands of the Binh Xuyen.
Despite the opportunity to exercise some firm control over the communiqué issued by the Bao Dai Cabinet in Paris, it appears to me that we permitted Nguyen De to twist the entire purpose of the President’s letter. As I understood it, the primary purpose of the President’s letter to Bao Dai was to reaffirm our determination to support the Diem Government, and to serve as a subtle warning to Bao Dai to cease and desist from undermining the Diem Government. This latter point was to counteract anti-Diem influences that were suspected to be working on Bao Dai at Cannes through La Chambre’s visit, and the presence of General Hinh and other anti-Diem characters. By permitting the last paragraph to be inserted in the communiqué, we allowed Bao Dai’s coterie to make the President’s letter seem to be designed primarily to confirm U.S. recognition and support for Bao Dai as Chief of State.
Bao Dai’s Cabinet cleverly wired the communiqué at once to Saigon where it was printed in full in all the native papers before our Embassy here had a chance to advise Diem and Ely, or to publish the full text of the President’s letter. The communiqué has had a certain amount of effect on encouraging Diem’s political opponents in Vietnam. [Page 114] Diem personally does not take this too seriously, but he characteristically underestimates all opposition.
There is no question but that Bao Dai has recently had emissaries here stirring up the Sects, including the Binh Xuyen, in opposition to Diem (see Embtel 37572). Another aspect of the conversation between our Paris emissary and Bao Dai3 that disturbed me was the fact that Bao Dai was permitted to launch into a spurious criticism of Diem along religious lines. This, despite the fact that several of my messages repeated to Paris refute these charges. Diem has publicly stated that he will guarantee freedom of religion, and at an appropriate occasion I still hope to have him repeat this pledge. Such charges as made by Bao Dai, if not repeatedly challenged whenever made, could possibly firm up opposition against Diem by dissident elements who are seeking some basis for their opposition that would be acceptable to the public.
My final point is that our emissary should never have even tacitly accepted the suggestion made by Bao Dai that I be an emissary between Sa Majesté and Diem. Needless to say, I have no intention of assuming this role.
My only point in raising these matters with you is that this is one more example of what appears to me to be a lack of appreciation of the true nature of our problems here on the part of whoever handles Vietnamese affairs in the Paris Embassy.
Naturally, I don’t want to start a fight with the Embassy, particularly as I have considerable business to do with the Embassy on my permanent assignment with the Standing Group of NATO. If you see fit, I would suggest that you might discuss this matter with Livy Merchant, or whoever handles the Paris desk in the Department. It will be perfectly all right with me if you show Livy this letter, although I would not wish it to be circulated in the Department or sent to Paris.
Knowing how many other much more important matters you have to worry about, if you should decide the best thing to do with this is tear it up and throw it in the waste paper basket, that will also be wholly agreeable with me. You have such a nice broad shoulder that it invites weepings.
It was a pleasure to see you out here and to have a chance to work with you in our conferences at Manila and Baguio. I hope you have been able to get some little rest since you returned home.
[Page 115]With warmest, personal regards.
Sincerely yours,
J. Lawton Collins
- Source: Department of State, FE/SEA Files: Lot 58 D 266, Collins Mission Miscellaneous. Confidential.↩
- In this telegram, March 7, Collins specifically referred to Ung An, a member of Bao Dai’s imperial cabinet, who had just returned to Saigon from France. (Ibid., Central Files, 751G.11/3–755)↩
- See Document 49.↩