291. Memorandum From the Director of Intelligence and Research (Hilsman) to the Secretary of State1
Intelligence Note: Coup Plotting in South Viet-Nam
Two reliable reports indicate that top south Vietnamese military leaders may be plotting a coup against President Diem. These are the first reports of coup plotting since the flurry of reports last month just prior to Gen. Maxwell Taylor’s visit to Saigon. Last month’s [Page 682] reports, however, were rather vague, of doubtful reliability, and failed to cite names of individuals involved.
Generals Critical. On November 24, Maj. Gen. Duong Van Minh, Commanding General of the Army Field Command, was unprecedentedly critical of the Diem government in his comments to the US Army Attaché. He referred to Diem’s reorganizational moves within the military establishment as being highly inadequate and nothing more than “shams” to fool the Americans and evidenced acute concern over interference by Diem and his family in military operations. Gen. Minh stated that the situation was extremely grave, that the next few months could well be decisive, and urged the US to take a firm stand with Diem. Brig. Gen. Le Van Kim, a deputy under Minh and long outspoken in his criticism of Diem’s leadership, was present and obviously agreed with Minh’s comments.
The following day, Col. Pham Van Dong, Deputy Commander of the 3rd Army Corps, informed the US Army Attaché that he had discussed “coup possibilities” with Brig. Gen. Le Van Nghiem, Commander of the 3rd Army Corps, and the latter replied that “we will wait and see how things go before we take sides.” Dong also told our Attaché that “something must and will be done very soon, possibly by December 1.”
Growing Disgust With the Nhus. The activities and influence of Ngo Dinh Nhu, Diem’s brother and political adviser, and of Madam Nhu continue to be major issues raised by Diem’s critics. Gen. Minh, for example, stated that he considers Diem to be a puppet of Nhu, while Col. Dong said that Nhu has his own plans for taking control of the government. Most of Diem critics in government and even some of his supporters, moreover, blame Nhu for the anti-US press campaign.
Heightened Sense of Urgency Within Government. Since last month military and civilian leaders have urgently voiced to Americans their views that Diem must move quickly to reorganize the government, delegate responsibility, and utilize more effectively the existing resources for fighting the Communists. This urgency coincided with the Taylor mission, and a number of officials even recommended that the US pressure Diem to take the necessary steps. A number of Vietnamese abroad, including Vu Van Thai, formerly Director General of the Budget and Foreign Aid, also have been sharply critical of Diem and have urged a firm US position. The recent anti-US statements by the Saigon press may have convinced Diem’s critics that Diem will not accept US recommendations and that they should therefore act on their own to alter the situation.
Coup Plotters May See Shift in US Policy. Some military and civilian officials may have also concluded that the Saigon press attacks have weakened US support of Diem, and their comments to the Army [Page 683] Attache may be designed to elicit such information. Their estimate of US intentions could strongly influence a decision to undertake a coup.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, Reports & Memos. Secret. Attached to a brief transmittal memorandum of November 29, from Battle to McGeorge Bundy. A handwritten note on the transmittal memorandum from Bromley Smith to Robert Johnson indicates that Taylor also had a copy of Hilsman’s memorandum.↩