Office of the Historian

58. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Embassy in Vietnam1

Saigon, March 10, 1955—6:29 p.m.

3915. Saigon 3798 repeated Paris 3169.2 Department approves your informing Ung An successful effort overthrow Diem would result in U.S. reconsidering utility our support to Free Viet-Nam. Point to be made is that no alternate candidates for presidency appear to U.S. have qualities which constitute ability combat Communist threat Free Viet-Nam.

We have noted French and Vietnamese reaction to apparent U.S. support of Diem as individual rather than as representative of anti-Communist nationalism. We believe every occasion should be taken clarify this distinction which cannot derogate from our support of Diem in absence other leader of equal qualities.

Agree you should not be channel for instructions from Chief State to Chief Government which also should be made known An. Question of Bao Dai’s diverting President’s letter was one which we anticipated.

If in your judgment publication full text would put issue on right track, you authorized inform Diem he may release full text with comment.3

[Page 116]

Secretary’s speech 8th4 also should be considerable political value to Diem if his Government’s public relations ability to disseminate is utilized. Secretary’s speech constituted strong endorsement to unusual degree.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751G.00/3–1055. Secret. Drafted by Hoey and cleared by Sebald. Repeated to Paris.↩
  2. In this telegram, March 10, Collins covered much the same ground as in his letter to Robertson of the same date (supra), although it was briefer and more official. The following excerpt from the cable gives additional information on the proposed démarche by Collins to Ung An, Bao Dai’s representative in Saigon: “Unless Department disapproves I plan to call in Ung An and reiterate to him U.S. intention to support Diem. Without referring specifically to Bao Dai I will suggest Ung An inform his friends, particularly among sects, that if successful attempt is made to overthrow or undermine Diem, U.S. may withdraw all support from Vietnam, as indicated by Senator Mansfield and others.” (ibid.)↩
  3. Eisenhower’s letter was released in Washington on March 3, but was apparently not available in Saigon.↩

  4. In this address the Secretary reported on his Asian trip. Part of the section on Vietnam reads as follows:

    “I was much impressed by Prime Minister Diem. He is a true patriot, dedicated to independence and to the enjoyment by his people of political and religious freedoms. He now has a program for agricultural reform. If it is effectively executed, it will both assist in the resettlement of the refugees and provide his country with a sounder agricultural system. I am convinced that his Government deserves the support which the United States is giving to help to create an efficient, loyal military force and sounder economic conditions.”

    For the full text of the speech, see Department of State Bulletin, March 21, 1955, pp. 459–464.

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