232. Telegram From the Ambassador in Vietnam (Durbrow) to the Department of State1
1066. In view of successful outcome Diem resistance to rebels and in view my frank talk with him morning 12th urging he avoid further blood-letting,2 I decided to call him to tell him how pleased I was that he, General Khanh and others had been able to put down rebellion without further serious blood shed. I stated this would be well received in Viet-Nam as well as abroad. Diem seemed pleased I had called and stated he had only learned hour or so ago of the trickery used to induce paratroopers attack Palace. Leaders of coup had awakened paratroopers middle night 11th informing them they needed immediately to defend President against Palace guards who had rebelled. Paratroopers who loyal to President immediately followed leaders and attacked Presidential guard barracks and Palace thinking they were fighting to save President. It was not until those of paratroopers who captured radio station heard Colonel Thi’s broadcasts that they realized they had been tricked. Most other paratroops did not realize they had been duped until fighting over. (As reported Embtel 10673 Thuan later told same story stating he had learned it after visiting wounded paratroops in hospital afternoon 12th.)
Diem’s explanation gave me good opportunity to open second subject I planned to discuss with him. In view of Nhu’s coldly vengeful nature and in view vengeful overtones Diem’s radio announcement [Page 656] to people 1800 12th (Embtel 10634) I thought it might be helpful to get over to Diem that he had a wonderful opportunity to rally all anti-communist elements in nation by leniency in treatment rebels. I therefore stated that since the paratroopers had been duped, and I felt sure many others who may have taken part in rebellion probably did so for misguided reasons, Diem could increase his prestige even further, both in the country and in the free world if he showed forgiveness and leniency in dealing with the rebels and made broad statesmanlike efforts to reunite all military and civilian elements who are anti-communists and thus set up solid front to defeat the only real threat to Viet-Nam. Diem replied I apparently did not understand rebels had caused much blood-letting, many innocent people had been killed and many innocent people duped. I stated that while of course this true I sincerely felt in his interest and particularly in interest of rallying people of country to face VC threat, he should make every effort to use this unfortunate event to really unify all elements of the country and avoid what might appear be vengeful attitude. Diem obviously did not fully concur my suggestion and repeated more than once loyal troops came to Saigon to save the President of the country and even the tricked paratroopers thought they were doing same. Diem said one reason why his troops had fired on crown this morning was that they were told the crowd intended to invade the Palace to harm the President. Therefore, he expressed opinion that leaders who had misled paratroops and other leaders must be punished. I agreed that maybe small number of leaders should not go without some punishment, but reiterated my opinion that if he showed himself to be statesmanlike and generous in this matter he could rally all elements in country to his cause.
Diem made no commitments but I hope I was able diminish the revengeful attitude we had detected. In closing the conversation I [Page 657] again congratulated him on bringing about end of rebellion without further serious loss of blood.5
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11–1260. Secret. Received November 13, 3:14 p.m. Repeated for information to Manila, Bangkok (for Felt), Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and CINCPAC for PolAd. Sent with instructions to pass to the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.↩
- See Document 228.↩
- Dated November 12, not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11–1260)↩
- The translated text
of this radio speech is in telegram 1063 from Saigon, November 12,
11 p.m. Saigon time. It reads as follows:
“After the uprising in the capital, I—President of the Republic—eager to preserve intact the military forces for dealing with the Communists, have agreed with the President of the National Assembly to find a conciliatory solution. But the rebels have been continually deceitful and have committed many crimes. First of all they have fooled paratroopers by telling them that they had to come immediately to the rescue of the President who was betrayed by his guards. Thus, I ordered the republican army to liquidate them and their accomplices—the political speculators. Now the republican army from various military zones and different services—infantry, navy, and air force—has fulfilled its mission and has returned to its former bases. The rebels and their accomplices will be appropriately punished by the law. The government and I respectfully bow my head before the souls of those who have sacrificed their lives for the just cause and who have unjustly died from the crime of the antipeople and anti-patriotic men. The government will continue to serve the country and the people according to the republican and personalist line. Compatriots, remain calm and united. Be enlightened regarding the plots of the Communists.” (Ibid.)
↩ - The
Department of State responded in telegram 788 to Saigon, November
14, as follows:
“Department gratified you made prompt approach to Diem urging leniency re punishment rebels. Would assume here that as a minimum and under circumstances Diem will probably have several military coup leaders tried and executed (unless they have escaped) since they would appear to have acted treasonably.
“If it appears to you that Diem intending to take more extreme action than indicated above (such as execution several civilians as well as large number military), with resultant adverse effect on regime, Department would consider, on your recommendation, sending high level message to Diem supporting position you have taken.” (Ibid.)
↩