225. Telegram From the Ambassador in Vietnam (Durbrow) to the Department of State1
1040. Preliminary indications according to … information from revolutionary committee are that agreement has been reached between committee and Diem Government along following lines:
- 1.
- Diem to remain as Head of State which would be only titular position.
- 2.
- Government to consist of General Le Van Ty as Prime Minister and several other generals. Lt. Colonel Dong, parachute battalion commander, who seems to be real leader of coup, states he has chosen generals who are to form government, naming Xuan, Chieu, “Big” Minh, Don, and Kim.
- 3.
- Revolutionary committee will remain in existence with membership consisting of Colonel Thi (paratroop commander), Dong, a Major Loi (… seeking information), and Hoang Co Thuy (Catholic lawyer from Hanoi, original Diem supporter and apparently anti-commie).
Dr. Phan Quang Dan … will not for present be member revolutionary committee, but stated he would like see me shortly. Colonel Dong considers it very important for United States to make prompt statement of support of new government.
I thus may be confronted by necessity of acting rapidly in manner which will in effect commit US with respect new government. Rapid action appears important for two reasons: To endeavor prevent any thought from arising in minds new government of turning away from US toward neutralist stand, and to convince commies that crisis has been quickly resolved and they cannot profit from it.
Accordingly, assuming that we get firm information that Diem has agreed to arrangement substantially similar to that outlined in first paragraph above, I plan make public statement along following lines: New government has come into power in Republic of Viet Nam. I understand that government will consist of group of generals headed by General Le Van Ty and that Mr. Ngo Dinh Diem will remain as Head of State. This new government is committed to maintenance of integrity of free Viet Nam against all efforts by commies to subvert it and take it over. I feel certain that I shall enjoy same close relations with new government of Republic of Viet Nam as with previous one and that we shall be able to continue our effective collaboration against our common enemy of communism.
[Page 645]Department may wish comment on above but will understand it maybe necessary issue statement before Department reaction received.2 Also should be understood that some changes may have to be made in statement outlined above depending upon developments in situation. By personalizing my support statement, I should leave Department opportunity disown it if should become imperative.
Recommend Department be prepared rapidly to express publicly U.S. support new government. If Diem remains as Head of State, statement will not need contain any indication of recognition of new government. Strongly recommend Department’s statement not be issued without further cable from me.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11–1260. Confidential; Niact. Received at 8:57 p.m. Repeated for information niact to Manila for passage to Felt and to CINCPAC PolAd; sent priority to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane.↩
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The Department of State responded in telegram 778 to Saigon, November 12, 12:02 a.m., as follows:
“If outcome of coup is formation provisional government along lines described reftel, concur your issuance statement of type you propose. Your suggestion of personalized message especially appreciated by Department.
“Our only comment would be that you might wish edit: (1) omit word ‘Republic’ before ‘Viet Nam’ and (2) in first sentence, change order to place President Diem at beginning rather than end.
“After receipt your cable of confirmation, Department plans express informally to press our satisfaction that internal conflict in Viet Nam solved quickly and the new government strongly anti-Communist. Would say we looking forward continuance of our good relations with people and GVN.” (Ibid., 751K.00/11–1260)
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