Office of the Historian

264. Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt) to the Office of the Secretary of Defense1

Pearl Harbor, December 10, 1960—12:03 p.m.

102203Z. Personal for BGen Lansdale info DepSecDef Douglas from Felt.

It appears that we are not quite in tune as to the purpose of your trip to Viet-Nam.2 I do not have in mind that you go for primary purpose of getting info on security situation. I think we have adequate info in that field. To the contrary, I have in mind that your influence can be used as a “national plan” which has been approved by all WashDC agencies and which Amb Durbrow has been trying to get Diem to do. My idea is that you not visit for purpose of gathering info but that you work on Diem to do things that are distasteful to him although essential to save his country. Suggest you review the plan which I submitted and which has been approved.3 Suggest further that you look at your mission as one of furthering the objectives of that plan. You should understand that my suggestion for you to go to Viet-Nam is to work with Diem as a trusted confidante and try to get him to change some of his fixations. If you need time to get firsthand knowledge of what is under surface throughout country before you can be effective with Diem in pressing for a national program, then I believe you should arrange to take the time required. If this is impossible then I would not favor a quick trip.

  1. Source: Stanford University, Hoover Institution, Lansdale Papers, Vietnam, Lansdale Trip Jan 1961. Confidential; Personal.↩
  2. In message Def 987048 to CINCPAC dated December 9, marked “Personal for Admiral Felt from Lansdale”, the latter discussed his forthcoming trip to Vietnam, stating in part: “Main purpose would be to obtain information on security situation for Secretary of Defense as President Diem may possibly confide to me in terms not used in communicating with other U.S. officials. Would be happy help you and General McGarr with GVN as needed, although believe McGarr has sound inside track do this. Extensive political work as apparently envisaged by AM Ambassador seems impractical without more first-hand knowledge of what’s under surface throughout country than time will permit me obtain.” (Ibid.)↩
  3. Apparent reference to Document 196.↩