751G.00/9–154: Telegram
The Ambassador in Vietnam (Heath) to the Department of State
848. Repeated information Paris 289, Manila 115, Hanoi unnumbered. Manila for USDel. Wife and I finally accepted invitation from General Bay Vien of Binh Zuyen to dine with him last night. Counselor and two members of my staff were also invited and other guests included General Hinh, Tran Van An, Nguyen Duc Quynh, Le Kieu, and Chief National Surete Lai Huu Sang—in short leading members of Hinh–Binh Zuyen elements of plot to oust Diem Government.
After dinner I talked very firmly, separately, both to Hinh1 and General Bay Vien. I said that in my four years plus here I had never [Page 2001] intervened in any purely internal political matters, but as a friend of Vietnam I must warn them of serious effect on American and other free world opinion of any movement to oust Diem by force or force his resignation at this juncture. I was aware of their criticisms of Diem Government and had myself urged on latter necessity of broadening his government and basing it on all organizations prepared to fight Communism for freedom of Vietnam. I had been told that Diem was now prepared to make broad offer of participation in government to sects. I must express my view that it was absolutely indispensable in view of external and internal situation of Vietnam that sects attempt loyally to work with Diem in government of National Union. This would require concessions both on part of government and of sects. If, after loyal attempt, such coalition failed to work, they might consider altering formula. I observed that we were furnishing great aid to free Vietnam and were prepared to continue, possibly even to expand it. US aid, however, could only be justified if there were patriotic, efficient, and progressive government. That aid, which would now go only to remaining Vietnam, would be sufficient to raise living and social standards.
Both Hinh and Bay Vien protested they had been willing to work with Diem but his suspicion and inaction had frustrated them. They both indicated without actually promising that they would work with him in a re-formed government.
I am far from sure at this moment that they are loyally determined to get together with Diem. I believe, or at least hope, that they have given up any thought of a coup d’état at this time, but they are going to explore possibilities of change and probably ouster of Diem with Bao Dai.
Hinh has already sent his wife as emissary to Cannes and Bay Vien told a member of Embassy, but not me, that he was leaving shortly for brief trip in France, undoubtedly to confer with Bao Dai. He would be accompanied by Tran Van An, Quynh, and Nguyen Huu Thuan.
- Ambassador Heath summarized the remarks of General Hinh in telegram 872 from Saigon, Sept. 2. (751G.00/9–254)↩