252. Letter From the Secretary of Defense’s Deputy Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Parsons)1
Dear Jeff: Jerry O’Donnell passed to me a message from you about the visit of Jerome French, of OSO, to Phnom Penh. Also, I have seen Saigon 11302 about French’s visit to Vietnam. The inference in these reports appears to be so distorted that I hesitate to comment on them. However, it might be helpful to you to have the facts on record, so I will note them briefly here. If there is any further concern in your office about this, perhaps Mr. French could resolve this by a personal visit.
Mr. French had been sent to Bangkok to attend the regular meeting of the Committee of Security Experts, of SEATO, which is a standing responsibility of this office. On his return from Bangkok, we had asked him to stop at Saigon, Manila, Okinawa, and CINCPAC [Page 693] briefly to discuss various current Defense problems of interest to us.
Mr. French’s visit to Phnom Penh was caused by the coup attempt in Saigon and not by him or this office. He was aboard Air France flight 184 from Bangkok to Saigon on 11 November. Airline officials diverted this flight to Phnom Penh when the Saigon airport was closed to incoming flights. Mr. French immediately checked with the Embassy, to seek advice and assistance in continuing his journey. Being advised not to continue to Vietnam, he returned to Bangkok.
In Bangkok, Mr. French awaited the first Air France flight into Saigon and took it, arriving in Saigon on 14 November. He spent his time there on military matters with MAAG in which this office has staff responsibilities. He did visit with Vietnamese on personal and private affairs. As I am sure you do also, we like to keep in touch with old friends on family news and I believe you will agree that this is hardly a subject for official discussions. Incidentally, Mr. French had no escort officer assigned to him and thus could not have left him as reported. Also, I note that the Saigon message does not indicate that the Ambassador had checked with Chief, MAAG, prior to sending it.
In reflecting on the tone of these messages, I wonder if there is not an indication of prejudice which would impair the usefulness of a visit by myself to Saigon or elsewhere in the area. I note that copies of the messages were distributed to a number of our Embassies as well as to CINCPAC.
With best personal regards.
Sincerely,