267. Editorial Note
On October 3, 1971, incumbent President Nguyen Van Thieu overwhelmingly won reelection as President of the Republic of Vietnam. In telegram 15933 from Saigon, October 5, the Embassy noted that voter turnout was 87.7 percent, and 78.7 percent of voters endorsed his continuation in office. The Embassy concluded, “Conduct of the election was as a rule mechanically correct,” but added the following: “We doubt that Vietnamese will point with pride to October 3. (Even a Presidential aide appeared somewhat embarrassed by the overwhelming percentages.) Most will be glad it is over and relieved to turn their attention to other subjects.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files, 1970–73, POL 14 VIET S)
On October 12, President Nixon sent Thieu a letter of congratulations. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 766, Presidential Correspondence—1969–1974, Vietnam President Thieu Correspondence, Part 2) Kissinger forwarded to the President a draft of this letter, which had been prepared by the NSC staff, under an October 11 covering memorandum recommending that he sign it. He also forwarded a draft prepared by the Department of State on October 2, which he stated was too pedantic and hortatory considering the concessions Thieu made during his meeting with Haig on September 23. (Ibid.) For a report on the September 23 meeting, see Document 268.
In telegram 16462 from Saigon, Ambassador Bunker reported that he had delivered the letter to Thieu and recommended that Thieu do the following: reach out to his former political opponents, particularly the Buddhists; reorganize his cabinet; implement the economic reforms recommended by the Nixon administration; organize a political party; appoint new, more competent ARVN division commanders; deal with corruption in South Vietnamese society, particularly warprofiteering by the ARVN leadership; hold more frequent press conferences; and possibly release some prominent political prisoners. Bunker indicated that Thieu seemed amenable to many of these initiatives and said he would address some in a speech to the National Assembly in the near future, but that he was still forming his thoughts on these points. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 872, For the President’s Files—Lord, Vietnam Negotiations, Vietnam Elections)