21. Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam (Williams) to the Secretary of Defense’s Deputy Special Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale)1
Reference your S–1222 June 25.2 I too have long since been deeply concerned over failure to reach agreement between Country Team and Diem. As you know Country Team insisted on Civil Guard not being under DOD. Diem wants it under DOD for supply, military justice, and promotion of senior officers. Declines to agree to Country Team concept with secret intention of switching over to his own concept at later date as deceitful and unethical. He feels strongly on this. I know Barrows has weakened in his prior position and hopes MAAG gets the job. I personally believe from recent conversations and messages Embassy to State that Ambassador also is weakening in his heretofore positive position that Civil Guard must be under civilian ministry. However do not believe Country Team position will be relaxed unless directed from Washington as old Asian face saving now probably involved. Am of opinion Country Team action in past too positive but went along only in desperate hope to get something done to improve Guard. Hope you can do something there before 30 June. Regards.
- Source: Center of Military History, Williams Papers, Civil Guard (97). Secret. Unnumbered but initialed by Williams.↩
- In this telegram, June 25, Lansdale expressed “deep concern over failure to reach agreement on United States support of Civil Guard” and stated: “I need not convince you of urgency of establishing a strong Civil Guard and can only suggest that you again consider personal approach to Diem on the basis of the last two paragraphs of my 14 March personal letter to you in a last minute effort to persuade him to reach agreement with United States in Saigon.” (Ibid.)↩