79. Telegram From the Special Representative in Vietnam (Collins) to the Department of State1
4192. 1. According to word given to O’Daniel by Vietnamese army officers 1300 March 29, Defense Minister Minh2 has tendered resignation. I at once invited Minh to call on me and he told me following story: Morning March 29, Minh and Chief of Staff Ty were summoned to Palace by Diem and informed that effective at once Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Le was to be named Chief of the National Police and Sûreté. Moreover, at 1330 National Army troops would take over Sûreté headquarters in heart of Saigon, guarded by Binh Xuyen commandos. In view seriousness this move, Minh advised President to delay action until plan had been approved by Cabinet excluding Sect members. Diem said that he had thought matter through and was determined to act, and had full powers to do so. Minh said under circumstances he had no alternative but to resign. At President’s invitation he thereupon sat down and wrote out resignation.
2. I told Minh that I fully sympathized with his point of view, and in his position would have done exactly same thing. He said in view of national interest and seriousness of local situation [sic]. I urged him reconsider to the extent of withdrawing resignation temporarily. However, Diem had accepted resignation and would have to ask him (Minh) to reconsider. I told Minh that I would strongly urge President to do so, but advised Minh that he should accept only on condition that sound working relations were established between Prime Minister and himself. Minh agreed to consider seriously.
3. De Rougemont also called to see me at Ely’s request and reported following: Diem had summoned Wintrebert to inform him of proposed action. Wintrebert at once reported to Ely who sent Wintrebert back to Diem accompanied by General Jacquot to urge that Nationalist troops not attempt to take over police and Sûreté headquarters and to emphasize serious view Ely took of proposed action. In course of discussion Diem shuttled between Wintrebert and Jacquot on the one hand, and Brother Luyen off stage on the other. Both Frenchmen were convinced that he, Luyen, was prime mover in this operation. However, Wintrebert and Jacquot secured Diem’s agreement not to move on police headquarters. (It is not yet clear, however, whether order naming Colonel Le as Director National Police and Sûreté has been implemented.)
[Page 159]4. Ely was to have seen Brother Luyen at 1500 and Diem immediately thereafter. Following this I will see Ely and proceed forthwith to see Diem. Ely’s intention was to speak in most serious terms to Diem, as I intend to do.