751G.00/9–1354: Telegram
The Ambassador in Vietnam (Heath) to the Department of State
981. Repeated information Paris 326. General O’Daniel, Chief MAAG, informed Embassy Counselor that yesterday he “happened to run into” General Hinh, Chief of Staff Armed Forces Vietnamese National Army, and had two hour conversation with him at Hinh’s house.
O’Daniel told Hinh that he had heard much talk of Hinh’s political ambitions and outlined to Hinh his views on proper place for military in democratic political system. O’Daniel appealed to Hinh’s patriotism and asked him if his first loyalty was not for his country and if he had political ambitions. Hinh replied that his country comes first and that he has no political ambitions but that he and his officers felt that in leaving country at this time he, Hinh, would be running out on his job. He, nevertheless, apparently willing to go. O’Daniel suggested to Hinh that as he was loyal to President and had no political ambitions he so inform Prime Minister Diem and offer his full cooperation. Hinh immediately telephoned Secretary of State for Defense Chan in presence O’Daniel and latter’s aide and told Chan that he willing support and cooperate with Diem. Chan, according to O’Daniel’s account of what Hinh said, replied that ticket for Hinh depart for France purchased for September 14 for stay in France of three weeks to one month. However, Chan said he would report conversation to Prime Minister Diem later that same evening.
[Page 2021]Hinh’s proposal would be for himself to continue as Chief of Staff Armed Forces with General Vy as Commander of First Corps and Colonel Do Chief of Staff Army. O’Daniel believes Hinh should be given office in Presidential Palace and be direct adviser to Prime Minister on military matters with ultimate decision in hands of Prime Minister. In reply to O’Daniel’s statement that he does not understand why Diem with so much to worry about should make so much ado about change of Chief of Staff, Counselor explained that problem revolving around Hinh goes straight to heart of major political problem of future of Diem government, a problem which had been discussed by Ambassador and others, including General O’Daniel that same morning.1
- In telegram 987, Sept. 13, Heath added the following: “O’Daniel’s call on Hinh was made against my explicit oral instructions which he said he did not hear. However, while no harm was done by his intervention, neither was any good. In my opinion, not even temporary solution of difficulties Diem’s government experiencing can be achieved without Hinh’s departure from the country.” (751G.00/9–1354) The Ambassador also described the incident in detail in a letter to Assistant Secretary Robertson of Sept. 16; for text, see United States–Vietnam Relations, 1945–1967, Book 10, pp. 753–755. Finally, he expressed the fear in telegram 1069, Sept. 17, that General O’Daniel, whose sympathies he believed to be with Hinh, might “break out disastrously in political matters again.” (711.551/9–1754)↩