Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Vietnam, Volume I

268. Telegram From the Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Vietnam¹

Washington, December 16, 1960—5:14 p.m.

898. Embtel 1151, Recommendation 5.² Since, hopefully, time approaching when GVN may announce various reforms and liberalization measures. Ambassador prior departure leave December 23 may wish review matter with President as follow up October 14 démarche and prior possible public announcement by GVN of liberalization program which might be inadequate.

Approach to Diem might be on these lines:

Have been instructed review with President some points dealing with liberalization regime raised in Memorandum October 14 (Despatch 157³). Would prefer, for moment, put aside questions internal reforms GVN calculated primarily increase its efficiency (such as Internal Security Council) and focus on liberalization since any announcements GVN makes this subject will be matter great public interest. Realize President has received much advice. Do not wish advance any further suggestions this time. Also understand President planning certain liberalizing moves such as elections to National Economic Councils, elections of youth to Village Councils, some liberalization press, closer relations foreign correspondents and somewhat greater role National Assembly. Also pleased learn President planning regular, informal radio talks. Purpose present discussion is review suggestions already made in light above, particularly those which so important we believe necessary they be included any forthcoming announcement in order make possible increased popular support. In present circumstances where GVN evidently considering large number structural as well as liberalizing changes, believe other suggestions could be postponed for later discussion. It Embassy’s observation events November 11 and 12, whatever their cause, have led to increased atmosphere uneasiness and some doubt projected reforms will be adequate (Embtel 1151). This adds emphasis to basic premise against which, we believe, program of liberalization should be tested: it should be genuine, if limited, liberalization on several fronts to be announced simultaneously. We certainly sympathetic President’s explanation Oct 14 of grave problems GVN faces as result VC atrocities and activities and due Lao situation (Embtel 802⁴). That is why we suggest limited liberalization. At same time we concerned that if liberalization not clear cut and genuine and not made on several fronts, public will feel deceived and GVN will lose rather than gain popular support. We believe as a minimum genuine liberalization needed following fields:

1. National Assembly—Pleased note Ministers now defending budgets in committee (Embtel 1119⁵). If such hearings not publicized, suggest at least minutes of meetings be given to press. Also hope further consideration be given to suggestions re National Assembly contained memorandum October 14, particularly right to investigate any branch GVN (if necessary in closed hearings) and publish findings.

2. Domestic Press—Realize line hard to draw, but believe press should be encouraged set up machinery police itself and that GVN should only intervene if articles flagrantly dishonest, inaccurate or favorable to Communists (Embtel 1119). If GVN does intervene, would be better require paper publish retraction than confiscate edition (Saigon’s G–242⁶).

3. Foreign Press

Realize President Diem feels GVN unfairly treated by foreign press during and after coup and matter has been brought to Department’s attention as Diem requested (Embtel 1164⁷). However it almost as important for GVN have favorable foreign press as to obtain diplomatic recognition friendly countries. This harsh fact requires continuation press conferences of type so ably given by Thuan, trips by correspondents to see VC threat for themselves and increased accessibility Ministers to correspondents. If correspondents treated in more open manner, tone their articles will almost certainly improve. As indicated to Mau, Department will be prepared assist publicize an effective and worthwhile new program and will meanwhile as already done in past call attention of US press to any obvious inaccuracies which we can verify.

4. Steps to strengthen support rural population. In addition election youths to Village Councils, President might consider whether most favorable move in peasant’s eyes would not be increase paddy prices and freer credit facilities. Further re farmers we completely concur President’s plans send more administrators into countryside and prepared help by speeding up existing training programs for administrators and agricultural, health and education technicians as well as study sympathetically any other personnel training programs GVN may suggest.

5. Finally urge President consider seriously inclusion all these items in liberalization program even if it means delay in announcement. Meanwhile may wish caution GVN officials against premature disclosures so that program will have maximum impact.

FYI. Embtel 1151 much appreciated here.

Above suggestions intended as culling out of most important items October 14 démarche which might at present be acceptable to Diem. Ambassador may wish change items for discussion from among those presented October 14 and should do so even if no time for further consultation prior seeing Diem. Suggest only that further reference Nhu question likely be unproductive.

Embtel 1175⁸ received after drafting above, but following cable with ideas on reforms⁹ not received. In interests time you authorized act on basis above at your discretion. End FYI.

Dillon

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12–1560. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Wood, cleared with SEA, FE/P, and ICA/W, approved by Steeves.
2. Document 257.
3. Document 205.
4. Document 203.
5. Document 248.
6. In this airgram, December 6, the Embassy reported that the Government of Vietnam prevented distribution of the November 28 edition of Cach Mang Quoc Gia, journal of the National Revolutionary Movement, a semi-official party of the Diem government, because of its editorial calling for reform and more representative government. (Department of State, Central Files, 951K.61/12–660)
7. See footnote 2, supra.
8. Document 266.
9. Telegram 1176, Document 267.