Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 1

751G.00/7–2652: Telegram

The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State

secret

Saigon, July 26, 1952—3 p.m.

215. Deptel 132, July 18.¹ Divergence in reaction to Tam Govt as reported from Saigon and Hanoi largely reflective of genuine regional differences. This believe well brought out by comments to Sturm of Mayor of Hanoi on return from Saigon trip to effect Mayor much struck by difference in polit atmosphere of north and that of south where some his friends attached Ministries appeared convinced Tam Govt might last “three years if not six” and that in South people generally less preoccupied with politics than in north because of relatively greater number of other subjs to occupy their interest (Hanoi tel 28 July 9 to Dept).²

Tonkin officials and people are always much more critical and pessimistic about Natl Govt than Saigon particularly when Natl Govt continues to be under southern Vietnamese. I have cautioned Sturm at Hanoi to take account of their regional bias in his reporting and I am sure he will do so. At same time I wish him to continue reporting Tonkin opinion which is valuable to know and which can be properly evaluated here and in Dept.

Tam Govt is not as a whole now decisive, efficient or cohesive and undoubtedly difficulties and troubles lie ahead. I am not yet prepared, however, to believe regime will flounder in early future. For one thing Tam has at present confidence and support of Fr and Bao Dai. As far as personal qualifications for Govt are concerned Tam is I believe superior to Huu. Very much against him is his reputation thruout Vietnam of being entirely pro-Fr. His reputation for severity, however, is an asset as well as liability. His weakness is that he has no party or efficient team of followers and I am not yet sure he will be able to recruit an efficient staff or acquire a following. With all his energy and will he cannot do it alone.

Heath

1. In telegram 132 to Saigon, July 18, not printed, the Department of State expressed an inability to understand the divergence in points of view with respect to the government of Nguyen Van Tam reflected in reports from Saigon and Hanoi, and requested additional information. (751G.00/7–1852)
2. Not printed.