Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Vietnam, Volume I

142. Telegram From the Ambassador in Vietnam (Durbrow) to the Department of State¹

Saigon, April 19, 1960—6 p.m.

2981. Ref: Saigon’s 2671.² April 11…gave Army Attaché copy of document in Vietnamese which he alleged was text of letter³ to be handed Diem by opposition group at meeting which they planning for April 25….suggested translation be made for Embassy information and also requested that he be given copy of translation so he could reply to opposition group’s request for his comments….stated he would return on April 14 to pick up original and his copy of translation. Document given … for translation and decision on whether or not to provide…with copy withheld until Embassy had time to study translation. I have just learned that when he appeared at Embassy on 14th copy of uncleared translation on unmarked paper inadvertently given him. When…called 14th he gave names of several alleged opposition group who wrote letter….running traces these names. Letter, text of which being transmitted by pouch,⁴ summarized as follows:

1. Diem return to Viet-Nam after war hailed by people who saw him as “man to fulfill their hopes, but now after six years these hopes frustrated and group feels compelled bring facts to his attention in hope GVN make corrections to save present extremely tense situation”. Diem not able hear truth before because “intentionally or unintentionally, people have covered up” true situation to point that “truth will explode in soaring waves of hatred and resentment— which will not able be stopped—of terribly suffering race standing up to break chains that restrain them, to clean up that which foul, and to eradicate injustices which have been [sic] enveloped and oppressed them”. Letter enumerates “true situation” in various fields.

2. Politics. Letter refers to “constitution made for sake of formality”, “national assembly which always moves same direction”, “counter-democratic elections”, “continuous arrests” which have crowded prisons and jails as never before, and failure utilize sects which could serve as useful instruments in anti-Communist struggle. Letter then asks president to “liberalize regime, publish minimum civic rights, recognize opposition in order let people speak.”

3. Administration. Letter cities large number civil servants in comparison small size of country, states GVN modeling itself on communism in seeking control country by political party and sowing distrust among various groups while real power and authority in hands “irresponsible ‘family’ man”, and charges administrative machinery slowed down, initiative paralyzed. Letter calls for restoration of discipline; exercise of authority in accordance with responsibility; use of initiative, honesty, thrift as standards for promotion; getting rid of “one-party idea” and “family mind”, and bringing to light corruption and abuse of power.

4. Military. Letter charges government has brought spirit of one party, “The movement” and “Can Lao” into military, causing distrust among military personnel and using loyalty to party and agreement with upper echelons as standard for promotion and warns recent Tay Ninh incident “only small warning of danger”.

5. Economics and society. Letter, pointing out hardships of people, charges “sources of income in hands of group of speculators using party and group as screen conceal monopolies for their private interests”, while at same time “tens of thousands” people forced work on agrovilles thus giving additional opportunity for enemy propaganda.

6. Letter concludes with statement that group “with no fear of consequences” wish to warn government and feel compelled themselves to take action in order awaken public opinion, achieve opposition and urge government quickly take action protect republican form of government and preserve future of country. (End summary.)

Embassy concerned…in view apparently continuing contact with Colegrove, may have sent letter to Colegrove indicating it given to and translated by Embassy as means embarrass US Government. It is recognized mere fact… frequently visits Embassy source potential embarrassment and opens way for him imply he speaking for or with knowledge of Embassy on question which as Department aware extremely sensitive for GVN. However, on other hand, must recognize fact…US citizen and thus can’t be prevented visit Embassy. Moreover to rebuff him would undoubtedly serve Colegrove purposes. On balance, therefore, believe Embassy should not turn…away but seek every occasion warn him emphatically of possible dangers and make clear to him US hands-off attitude, as has already been done by Army Attaché and EmbOff.

Since this letter is similar to many other such reports we receiving continuously and since we do not believe opposition group sufficiently effective to constitute danger GVN do not believe we should inform GVN at this time. Prior receipt this particular document I have given Diem similar type warnings which would permit me to tell him if story should break that we continually receive such reports which we ascribe basically to “Radio Catinat” sources, so did not pass on this information.

Durbrow

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K00/4–1960. Secret; Limited Distribution. Sent with instructions to pass to the Department of the Army for ACSI.
2. Document 116.
3. Reference is to the so-called “Caravelle Manifesto,” a public statement issued by 18 prominent, anti-Communist, former politicians and sect leaders. The signers formed “The Bloc for Liberty and Progress” and issued their statement on April 26 after a meeting at the Hotel Caravelle in Saigon.
4. In despatch 358 from Saigon, April 22. (Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/4–2260) The text of the “Caravelle Manifesto” is included as an enclosure to this despatch. The text is similar, although not identical, to the copy printed in Bernard Fall, The Two Vietnams (New York: Frederick A. Praeger Publishers, 1963), pp. 432–438. The slight differences in the texts can be attributed to different translations from the original Vietnamese. Also enclosed in this despatch were charts prepared by the Bloc for Liberty and Progress showing its proposed provisional National Assembly, proposed Provisional Government, and political groups in opposition to the Diem government.