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

204. This report dictated before receipt Deptel 178.2

Regret my delay reporting series talks with Diem, Nhu and others in effort curb Madame Nhu and make clear GVN policy conciliation on Buddhist issue. This business has been fast-moving, and Dept will appreciate difficulties keeping reporting up to date.

Fact is Madame Nhu is out of control of everybody—her father, mother. husband and brother-in-law.

[Page 561]

President Diem promised me, after talks in which I pulled no punches (Deptel 178), to “consider” what he could do about her; said he’s been thinking she ought to take a rest. That is as far as he would go. Results to date have been worse than negative. At same time, there have been positive developments on side of GVN: reaffirmations by Diem, as well as Nhu, that GVN through Tho committee intends faithfully to pursue policy of conciliation. Tho committee’s announcement of investigation of all complaints and request for details,3 keeping door open for joint investigations—measures which are having, I think, noticeable effect on Vietnamese public opinion, despite Madame Nhu.

I told President Diem very frankly, when he said that she spoke only as a private citizen, that this would not wash in the outside world and I did not think it would wash in Viet-Nam. I told him he could not expect to maintain present relationship with US Government if he would not take this matter into his own hands, back-up his Ambassador in Washington,4 and remove the appearance of schizophrenia from his government. He took this seriously and promised to consider what he could do. I also bore down heavily on the UN aspect.

In talks with Vice President, Thuan, Nhu, Mau, [less than 1 line not declassified], Buu Hoi, and others, have been trying to line up ideas and solid front on next moves.

Following are possibilities:

(a)
“Leave of absence” for Madame Nhu, perhaps in Rome;
(b)
Further church admonition to Archbishop Thuc;
(c)
Direct approach to Madame Nhu by me, after telling Diem that I intend doing so.

Re Deptel 178, action proposed para 2, 3 and in part 5 already taken and being pressed. I do not think it is a good idea to urge Diem to have Nhu make public statement of support for Diem’s policy, as this brings into question who is running the GVN and related problems. [Page 562] Please reconsider.5 Meanwhile I am seeking another appointment with President Diem.

Nolting
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15-1 S VIET. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to CINCPAC.
  2. Document 248.
  3. In telegram 191 from Saigon, August 8, the Embassy reported that on August 7 the Interministerial Committee on the Buddhist problem, headed by Vice President Tho, issued a communique inviting relatives of any person detained as a result of the events of July 16-17 in Saigon to write or telephone the Committee and provide details so that the Committee could begin any necessary investigation. (Department of State, Central Files, SOC 14-1 S VIET)
  4. Apparent reference to the statement by the Vietnamese Ambassador in Washington, Tran Van Chuong (Madame Nhu’s father), that Madame Nhu’s remarks that all the Buddhists had done was “barbeque a bonze” with “imported gasoline” were impertinent and disrespectful. Ambassador Choung’s remarks were broadcast by the Voice of America in Vietnam, August 6. (Telegram 190 from Saigon, August 8; Ibid.)
  5. According to telegram 185 to Saigon, August 12, the Department of State, including Ambassador-designate Henry Cabot Lodge, reconsidered and agreed with the Embassy that Diem himself should make a gesture in support of the policy of conciliation with the Buddhists. (Ibid.,POL 15-1 S VIET)