NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
TOP SECRET
| Control: | 18535 |
| Rec'd: | APRIL 20, 1955 |
| 1:50 A.M. |
| FROM: | SAIGON |
| TO: | Secretary of State |
| NO: | 4663, APRIL 19, 11 P.M. (SET TWO OF TWO) |
PRIORITY
LIMIT DISTRIBUTION
SENT DEPARTMENT 4663; REPEATED INFORMATION PRIORITY PARIS 1239.
FOR SECRETARY FROM COLLINS, PARIS FOR AMBASSADOR.
3. I reminded Diem that there is no election law and no election machinery. I said all those I had consulted agreed that general elections were not now practicable. I added that in my view his government could not continue for three months as it is now. Diem replied that he believed when people knew electi̇ons would take place in three months they would change their attitude. I asked what he proposed to do in the meantime. He said he would carry out reforms and programs with which I was familiar, and to do this he proposed to choose only additional cabinet members having same political concepts as himself. He said the struggle is very hard and there can be no compromise.
4. I asked if he thought Quat was in favor of colonialism, feudalism and communism. He said that Quat favors compromise methods. I asked the same about Do. Diem said Do avoids difficulties and has no plan. I asked same about Thoai. Diem said that Thoai is anxious only to return to his chemical laboratory.
5. I told Diem that I did not know what would happen to his government and country if he continued on present course since I believed his solution must lead to ci̇vil war. Diem replied that he realized risks were involved, and that he never ceased to reflect on nation's problems. He said compromise had lost the war against Viet Minh. I said that in my opinion Vietnamese people did not want civil war.
RECORD COPY
