158. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam1
1194. Embtel 1135.2 Agree your decision not make public statement at this time. Unable judge here but if occasion arises you think public statement would deter repetition this sort of thing by Madame Nhu, Dept would highly approve.
You are requested inform Thuan or Diem under instructions that to counteract regrettable effect Madam Nhu’s statement some immediate and concrete move by GVN is essential. U.S. urgently suggests for example that Diem, under emergency powers available to him repeal French Decree Law 10 which discriminates against Buddhists. You are also instructed inquire officially whether Madam Nhu’s statement, which has at least semi-official character, was cleared in advance by GVN.
You should inform GVN orally or by note that in official U.S. view Madame Nhu’s intolerant statement has seriously weakened GVN’s position as defender of freedom against Communist tyranny and has greatly increased difficulty of U.S. role as supporter of GVN. Her statement will damage American public and Congressional support for GVN. U.S. Government cannot be expected continue aid and assist GVN at heavy cost in men and material unless this policy fully [Page 364] supported by American citizens. Any more statements by her of this nature may irreparably damage US-GVN cooperative effort at very time when this cooperation is showing successful results in defending Viet-Nam against communist aggression.
FYI—Above sent without awaiting full report your talk with Diem. Should nevertheless be transmitted to GVN as official U.S. position unless you have very good reasons for not doing so of which Dept unaware.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, SOC 14-1 S VIET Secret; Operational Immediate; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Wood and cleared by Hilsman. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD.↩
- See footnote 3, Document 157.↩