Office of the Historian

174. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam1

Washington, June 14, 1963, 4:43 p.m.

1225. Embtel 1182, 1184, 1187; Phnom Penh’s 964 to Dept.2 Dept pleased note results reported reftel. You are to be congratulated.

Unfortunate New York Times story (septel)3 stating U.S. has warned Diem it will publicly condemn his treatment Buddhists unless he takes prompt action to meet their grievances will not be carried VOA. In response press queries here at noon press briefing today Dept spokesman stated this was speculative story on which he had no comment. Stated we following this sensitive internal issue very closely and were in touch with GVN officials. Pointed out Diem had set up GVN committee to meet Buddhist leaders in effort resolve this serious question. There were two meetings yesterday with apparently encouraging results. In reply query whether we would make statement spokesman replied we had made clear our concern. Queried as to why story described as speculative spokesman replied it was. Queried as to whether it was inaccurate spokesman replied “No”.

You authorized confirm to GVN under instructions that there has been no U.S. public official statement and that unfortunate New York Times story gives us most serious concern. There has been no change in our policy of supporting GVN and are gratified by news reported reftel.

If issues are resolved between GVN and Buddhists and there is joint press conference, would be helpful if Buddhist leaders could in turn express solidarity with GVN against VC aggression. Leave handling this matter to your good judgement.

Re 1184. Assume funeral will be June 16 and not June 23 as stated reftel. If reftel correct, please confirm.

Re 1187. Would you consider discussing with GVN whether prominent GVN officials should offer participate in funeral. Realize likely go against grain for them attend funeral of man who died [Page 394] protesting GVN actions. On other hand this would be eloquent mark GVN-Buddhists understanding achieved at meetings and reduce effectiveness possible VC attempt stir crowd into actions demonstrating Buddhists opposition to GVN. In view NYT story fully realize you, may wish make no demarches to GVN at this time.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, SOC 14-1 S VIET. Secret; Operational Immediate. Drafted by Wood and cleared by Rice and Forrestal. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD.↩
  2. Regarding telegrams 1184 and 1187, see footnotes 2 and 3, respectively, to telegram 1182, Document 172. Regarding telegram 964, see footnote 1, Document 173.↩
  3. Telegram 1222 to Saigon, June 14, 1:06 p.m., summarized an article by Max Frankel which appeared on the front page of The New York Times on June 14, entitled “U.S. Warns South Viet-Nam on Demands of Buddhists.” The article reported that the Kennedy government had warned President Diem that it would publicly condemn his treatment of Buddhists unless he took prompt action to meet their grievances. Frankel added that U.S. diplomats had told the South Vietnamese Government in blunt terms that continuing Buddhist dissatisfaction could become politically disastrous. (Department of State, Central Files, SOC 14-1 S VIET)↩