301. Letter From the Ambassador in Vietnam (Nolting) to the Vietnamese Presidentʼs Political Counselor (Nhu)1
Dear Mr. Counselor: I have already taken much time of your Governmentʼs officials, including the President, on the subject of relations with the Laotian Government, and I hope you will pardon my sending you this note on the subject to express once again my Governmentʼs strong hope that the Government of Viet-Nam will find a way to continue diplomatic relations with the Laotian Government. As undoubtedly reported to you by Minister Thuan, and as stressed by me to the President, President Kennedy personally has requested a reconsideration of your Governmentʼs position, in view of the stakes involved in this matter, not only of direct concern to the Government of Viet-Nam but also in the wider sense involving the position of the free-world countries in the Laotian affair. President Kennedy has made it plain to Minister Thuan and to me that, while he can guarantee nothing respecting the final outcome in Laos, the Free World Signatories of the Geneva Accords have chosen a course there best calculated, in his judgment, to benefit stability in Southeast Asia and eventually to protect the frontiers of Viet-Nam against Viet Cong infiltration. The success of this endeavor depends in great measure on the solidarity of the free countries signatory to the Geneva Accords in pressing by diplomatic means for the fulfillment of those Accords by the Communist Bloc countries and by the Government of Laos. President Kennedy feels that the United States has the right to ask for the continued cooperation of the Government of Viet-Nam in this matter. He also recognizes and appreciates the fact that your Government has gone along thus far even despite grave misgivings. He feels that it [Page 697] would be a great mistake to break diplomatic relations at this point, regardless of what the Laotian Government may do in recognizing the Hanoi regime.
I would ask your consideration, therefore, of a similar case with which Chancellor Adenauer was confronted, of which I am sure you are aware. As you know, the Federal Republic of Germany has for years taken a stand similar to yours—namely, that it will not accept two German ambassadors representing the two parts of divided Germany. The United States has fully supported this position. Nevertheless, there has been one single exception to this policy, namely in Moscow. This exception was made by the Federal Republic of Germany for overriding practical reasons and as an isolated exception to a general policy. This exception has not only been maintained as an isolated case, not creating a precedent, but has also had practical, beneficial results for the Federal Republic of Germany. I hope it has been reported to you that the United States has offered to do everything it can to support your Government in confining a similar exception to your rule to the single instance of Laos.
It appears that the presentation of credentials of the representative from Hanoi is imminent and I therefore take the liberty of requesting a prompt reconsideration of this question in the light of the factors above, and in view of the repeated requests from my authorities in Washington on this matter.
I am sending this letter to you inasmuch as I have not had the opportunity to discuss the matter with you personally, although I have done so with the President and other members of the Government.
With best wishes and regards,
Sincerely yours,