157. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State1
1134. CINCPAC for POLAD. Saw Thuan immediately after reading Women’s Solidarity Movement Resolution on Buddhist question (telegraphed separately).2 Thuan stated he had not previously seen resolution. Agreed that it could easily upset agreement reached with Buddhist leaders and was in general deeply discouraged. As Thuan is admittedly powerless to do anything about the declaration, I am with encouragement seeking immediate appointment with President Diem. I shall ask him to repudiate resolution publicly and promptly. Odds against his doing so are very heavy, but I see no other way of retrieving situation.
I have also problem of dealing with local press who are now waiting outside my office. I plan to make no statement for the moment but, depending on outcome of meeting with Diem, I am considering saying for attribution that I consider unfortunate that, at a time when [Page 363] fruitful discussions were apparently going on between GVN and Buddhists, anyone should impugn the motives of one of the parties. I will also indicate indignation at reference to involvement foreign powers.
Any guidance Dept may have would be welcome.
Fuller report follows later. I am now leaving for Presidency.3
“Two hour meeting with Diem, just concluded, produced no visible result. Full report follows. Meanwhile, wish Department to know that I have decided against making any statement here, at least for time being.” (Telegram 1135 from Saigon, June 8, 8 p.m.; Ibid.)
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, SOC 14-1 S VIET. Secret; Operational Immediate; Limited Distribution. Repeated to CINCPAC. Received at 7:20 a.m.↩
- Telegram 1133 from Saigon, June 8, transmitted the text of a motion adopted by the Central Committee of the Women’s Solidarity Movement on June 7. The motion, which was released to the press on June 8, opened with an expression of respect for the Buddhist philosophy and veneration for Buddha, but castigated those Buddhists involved in demonstrations against the government as anti-nationalists “exploited and controlled by communism and oriented to sowing of disorder and neutralism.” The motion called upon the government to cease allowing itself to be deafened by idle clamor of political inspiration and immediately expel all foreign agitators whether they wear monks’ robes or not; that it keep vigilance on all others, particularly those inclined to take Viet Nam for satellite of foreign power or organization; that it treat as deserved, those who seek to disrupt public order.” (Ibid.)↩
- Trueheart reported on his meeting with Diem as follows:↩