Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume III, Vietnam, January–August 1963

161. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State¹

Saigon, June 9, 1963, 8 p.m.

1137. CINCPAC for POLAD. Deptel 1194.² I had full discussion with Thuan on Buddhist problem and its ramifications at his home this afternoon. Following are major points:

1. I opened by telling him that I had come to discuss with him new instructions from Washington. I would wish later to carry out these instructions formally with Diem or, possibly, with him.

2. I then reviewed with him in detail conversation with President yesterday (Embtel 1136),³ explaining concerns which conversation raised in my mind.

3. I next gave him a very detailed run-down of my instructions (Deptel 1194), reminding him again that this was a simple preview.

4. Turning to related questions, I summarized for him CAS report⁴ of plans for GVN organized, ostensibly Buddhist counter-demonstrations scheduled to take place in Saigon June 10 or 11. Reportedly these demonstrations would use “false-bonzes” from southern provinces brought to Saigon by GVN, Republican Youths some disguised as Bonzes and some in regular uniform, and hoodlum elements from Cholon—the whole organized by Ngo Trong Hieu. I told Thuan that I could not vouch for this report but that if anything of this sort was being planned for Saigon or elsewhere, I wanted to ask that it be stopped instantly. This was not a preview but a request on which I wanted him to act this afternoon.

5. Similarly, I told him that I had intelligence reports that a Catholic ceremony in memory of Pope John was planned for Danang June 10. At this ceremony reportedly a resolution was to be passed calling for removal of Quang Nam Province Chief Major Thiet, on the ground that he had been too lenient with the Buddhists. I asked that this action; if in fact it was planned, be also stopped immediately.

6. I told Thuan I would like for him to get word to the President that I now had confirmed information that GVN aircraft had dropped leaflets in Hue on June 7 and that these leaflets contained attacks on principal Buddhist leaders in Hue.

7. I related to Thuan report I had that four newsmen (MichaudAFP, SheehanUPI, BrowneAP and Perry Times,) had been detained for one hour at third arondissement police station where they had gone to check on report that certain Bonzes had been arrested. Police questioned and photographed them and sought unsuccessfully have them sign long statement in Vietnamese which they were told was certification that they had come to police station solely to gather news. I told Thuan that this struck me as foolish and counterproductive action. (Browne subsequently told me that he had actually ridden to police station with Bonze called in for questioning, so I dare say police had reason to raise their eyebrows. Correspondents have also told me that some Bonzes are openly stating that they seeking to involve foreign press in their cause. Correspondents are consequently in a quandary, not wanting to miss any news but on other hand not wanting to be “used”. I told them they would have to use their own judgment.)

8. Reviewed with Thuan situation at Tu Dam Pagoda, on which neither he nor I had any new information (telephone circuits to Hue are out today). I stated that I was concerned with reports that people inside pagoda could not get food and medical care. It would be most regrettable and vastly damaging development if any one should die for lack of care. Thuan said President had asked him to tell me that a Dr. Buu Du, a Buddhist, was entering pagoda and caring for people inside. He was told also to say that President understood people did not want to leave pagoda. I said I had other reports that they were afraid to come out for fear of arrest and that police were also asking their friends and relatives to make written request for their release but many of these were also afraid do so.

9. I reminded Thuan of another earlier conversation of about a week ago (not reported) in which before Pope John’s death I had expressed concern over possible GVN-sponsored ceremony. Thuan said he knew of nothing planned except requiem mass June 11 organized by Papal Nuncio (I have accepted invitation by Nuncio to attend this mass and plan to do so). Thuan added President had also told him to tell me that he talked last night with Archbishop Thuc in Hue and that no Catholic demonstrations were being planned there (this is not a subject which I raised with the President, or which I wish to raise with him directly).

10. Finally Thuan told me, unofficially and strictly confidentially, that President had informed him that after our conversation yesterday he had directed that Madame Nhu’s statement (resolution) not be run on radio or in Vietnamese newspapers. Unfortunately, it is lead story under banner headline in today’s English-language Times of Viet-Nam, which probably went to press well before our meeting.I concluded meeting by telling Thuan that my concerns about this whole affair went far beyond religious issue involved. I thought that as a result of handling of this matter, GVN was in real and imminent danger of losing broad mass of its support in the country and that such a thing would more than offset all the progress which had been made here in the last year. Thuan indicated agreement with this. He also expressed dismay that he and GVN were unable to prevent the appearance of something like the WSM resolution.

We left it that Thuan would convey the above-numbered points to Diem and arrange for me to see him.

Trueheart

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, SOC 14-1 S VIET. Secret; Operational Immediate; Limited Distribution. Repeated to CINCPAC. Received at 9:16 a.m.
2. Document 158.
3. Document 160.
4. Not further identified.