NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
TOP SECRET
5) With a general election, there is every reason to expect that the people will be represented by people of their own choosing – and not by self appointed spokesmen for the people;
6) I do not believe any freedom-loving Vietnamese – and we all know that we are facing a clear decision between freedom and communism here – is fearful of Communists being elected to high position through the means of a general elections;
7) I would prefer to let an assembly chosen by all the people in a general election be the deciding factor in the continued life of this government – than to have a complex system of contrived representation do so, no matter how wisely this system was devise by a group of men. The people are the ones whose lives are at stake they should be given a voice in their own future;
8) On the basis of these principles dear to me and to free men throughout the world, I am willing to accept coalition.
April 19, 1955
End verbatim text.
2. With reference to last paragraph of note, I asked whom Diem would take into a "coalition". He said that his cabinet ministers should be "capable, neutral" men. He made a point which the note does not repeat not make clear that the coalition he envisages would be formed after (repeat after) general elections to be held in 3 or 4 months. Diem said that his government must fight communism, feudalism and colonialism. If it had 5 or 15 years it could use various peaceful measures. However, owing to exigencies of situation, military pressure must be used. He said he believed the people were i̇n accord with that principle.
SMD/32
