Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Vietnam, Volume I

267. Telegram From the Ambassador in Vietnam (Durbrow) to the Department of State¹

Saigon, December 15, 1960—6 p.m.

1176. During course call 14th on Diem on other matter discussed following subject:

1. I expressed hope that the promised new positive programs Diem and Thuan had talked about would be implemented soonest. Diem confirmed he had already issued instructions to arrange for election of youth representatives on village councils. He stated that elections would be carried on as for assembly with candidates putting up names, campaigning, and one or more representatives depending on size of village, being elected to councils. Diem believes this will be well-received by youth, whose loyalty it essential retain in VC fight. He stated loyal youth would also join self-defense corps units. I expressed hope that this would be accomplished soonest and that electoral basis would be broad… . eligible candidates must be members republican youth group and eligible voters will be restricted to officers of same youth group.)

2. Diem said he about ready to implement plan to have one, two or more intelligence reporters at village level, some would be overt, and others covert. I stated this perhaps the most essential thing that could be done in fight against VC and even more important than requested force level increase. Diem replied he needed both but organized intelligence very essential.

3. Since Mau had raised question of derogatory American press articles at Diem’s request (Embtel 1164²), I took opportunity when Diem made passing remark about derogatory press articles to discuss this question. I said since Mau had complained no American papers had given any play to Thuan’s press conference about coup, I had brought with me AP story from Herald Tribune and UPI story New York Times, which gave some play to Thuan conference. I also gave him Christian Science Monitor story November 18 which gave primary emphasis to committee against rebels and Communists allegations that British, French and Americans had aided rebels. I pointed out this article mentioned Thuan’s conference only in passing since big news of that day was unfounded committee allegations. I stated this pointed up need to have better press relations by having more press conferences and making positive effort to talk frankly with correspondents, informing them of problems, mistakes, as well as progress made. I cited very favorable impression received by NBC correspondent Robinson³ who went on ranker patrol (report being pouched⁴). Diem said Robinson had been lucky since he joined patrol when they had successful operation and fortunately Robinson not hurt in skirmishes. Diem added if he permitted all correspondents to go on patrol, one might be hurt or killed and this would create bad impression. I replied correspondents who asked to go into battle areas knew they were taking chances and therefore should be allowed go, adding it important get story of VC war to outside world and thus gain sympathy for GVN. Diem then cited several French and other correspondents who had been fully briefed and given all facilities, particularly one who came here with Pinay, who nevertheless wrote very derogatory articles. I pointed out that with free press you have to take good with bad, that our press often critical of the administration citing Colegrove articles as example, but if one learned to work with press it possible to have objective, fair picture of developments. I said I had noted announcement creation public relations section in directorate of information and suggested Diem might hire good foreign public relations expert in order to develop better press relations. I also urged that he, other ministers, and particularly director of information open doors to press, speak frankly with them, and explain problems so that stories would be in proper perspective. If this not done correspondents bound to get stories from “Radio Catinat”. Diem dwelt some length press stories re corruption and family rule saying no country Asia more diligent in prosecuting corruption than GVN, adding if press had information on corruption or that Nhu corrupt why didn’t they give proof instead of repeating Radio Hanoi reports spread by “Radio Catinat”. He said he pleased Colegrove articles proven untrue, but if Colegrove had gone to Korea he would have found real corruption.

Diem, referring to recent article in Extreme-Asia denouncing foreign press (being pouched Dept⁵), repeated “Radio Catinat” is really “Radio Hanoi”. I replied not all stories one hears here are from Hanoi and reiterated if press given frank information they would publish objective stories. Obviously Diem not convinced.

Comment. In hour’s talk Diem quite relaxed and pleasant but obviously concerned about VC guerrilla war and situation in countryside. Oddly enough, he did not bring up Laos. While I did not press him for details on promised new programs, I received impression he, as Thuan has indicated, may be dragging his feet on some and still leans toward force to solve VC problem.

It perhaps fortunate I discussed press relations some detail for I learned later from Ladejinsky that Diem had just received a very frank analysis of recent US press stories from Oran, GVN’s public relations firm in New York. According Ladejinsky, Oran very frank in giving reasons for bad press and suggesting changes.

Durbrow

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12–1560. Secret. Repeated for information to CINCPAC PolAd, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, and Vientiane. Although received in the Department at 3:44 p.m. on December 15, a note in the margin initialed by Wood indicates that he did not receive this telegram until December 19.
2. Mau, at Diem’s request, discussed with Durbrow what he characterized as continued “inaccurate and detogatory” U.S. press stories. Mau was concerned that the U.S. public was receiving a distorted picture and the new Kennedy Administration might adopt a cool attitude to the Diem regime based on these “warped stories.” (Ibid., 951K.1162/12–1060)
3. James Robinson.
4. As reported in despatch 250, December 17. (Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12–1760)
5. Not found.