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

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

Saigon, July 19, 1963, 5 p.m.

109. CINCPAC for POLAD. Reference: Embtel 107.² Urge that Dept. Spokesman make statement along following lines at noon press briefing:

Begin Text.

“President Diem’s broadcast of July 18 strikes us as forthright and statesmanlike. It reaffirms in unmistakeable terms the government’s intention to carry out in letter and in spirit the agreement of June 16. And it provides a mechanism whereby any complaints about implementation can be amicably settled with the participation of the Buddhists themselves. It would seem to us that the way is clear for the settlement of all religious issues that have arisen in Viet-Nam.”

End text.

In making statement, Dept. should be aware that—

a) Saigon pagodas still barricaded,

b) Bonzes and others detained after Wednesday’s³ demonstrations still held; and

c) Buddhists reportedly about to make further demands regarding (a) and (b) above and perhaps other points.

I am working urgently to get GVN open pagodas and release persons arrested. However, I do not think we should wait for GVN to do this before making statement above. Statement in my opinion is a fair characterization of Diem’s broadcast. Moreover, it will help me to move GVN and to prevent any undercutting of Diem’s broadcast. It may well also cause Buddhists to hesitate before making further demands.

Nolting

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, SOC 14-1 S VIET Secret; Operational Immediate; Limit Distribution. Repeated to CINCPAC.
2. See Document 228.
3. July 17.