Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume II, Vietnam, 1962

311. Telegram From the Public Affairs Officer of the Embassy in Vietnam (Mecklin) to the United States Information Agency¹

Saigon, November 5, 1962—5 p.m.

Tousi unnumbered (by pouch). Bunce from Mecklin, Hi-lites October 21-November 1.

1) Press Relations

Feuding between GVN and American newsmen, for years one of unhappy facts of life in Saigon, this week appears to be expanding to unprecedented and undeniably dangerous proportions.

In past Mission has been able to preserve at least semblance of order, e.g. last spring when Ambassador persuaded President Diem to rescind expulsion orders against Homer Bigart (NY Times) and Francois Sully (Newsweek). When Sully was again ordered to leave early September, however, Mission appeal was rejected. Since then, as though reassured by relatively harmless reaction, GVN has been getting increasingly tough with press—despite Thuanʼs promise to DCM after Sully affair that effort would now be made to improve facilities and otherwise repair relations.

Newsweek has been wholly banned from SVN circulation since Sully affair, despite Mission representations to Thuan, Tao and other senior officials. Minister Hieu last week told PAO ban would remain in effect at least six months—though this may be softened if Kenneth Crawford of Newsweekʼs Washington bureau, visiting for month, maintains initial good impression. One-issue bans and delays of other American publications, notably Time, have become more frequent.

GVN has also advised Associated Press correspondent Malcolm Browne that it intends to terminate AP contract as of end of calendar 1962 to save money ($600 monthly), rotating UPI and AP on yearly basis thereafter. Since GVN controls AP circulation through Vietnam Press, this will deny entry to Vietnam of AP news in any form. (We are attempting to find way to buy service for new AFRS station as possible means persuading GVN to reconsider.) For moment thereʼs no hard evidence that cancellation is anything more than economy, but itʼs considerable coincidence in view of open GVN moves against US press. It also comes after several Browne dispatches that irritated GVN. These notably included report few weeks ago of trouble between ARVN and US personnel; GVN officials have repeatedly protested article to Mission officers.

GVNʼs repeated promises to institute daily military press briefings have come to naught, and project now seems to be dropped, at least for moment. MACV PIO reports that the three DGI officers, whom he had been training in briefing techniques, have ceased coming around; PIO speculates that complexities of undertaking were too much for them. Two military officers who GVN had promised to provide for similar training have never materialized.

Within past few days two new restrictions were imposed: 1) prohibition on newsmen riding in T-28 aircraft, and 2) prohibition on visits to Special Forces units without DCI permit. Letter, when newsmen discover it, is certain to stir considerable bitterness because most SP operations are run by Americans, who thus are made inaccessible without GVN okay.

On top of all this, GVN chose October 25, eve of Independence Day celebration which was marked by public assertions of gratitude and friendship with US, to order James Robinson, veteran Far East correspondent for NBC, to leave country “within shortest delay”. GVN publicly said expulsion was ordered because Robinson had entered SVN with transit visa and failed apply for regular visa within seven day limit (which was true).

Ambassador called on Diem October 29 to protest and learned technicality was only ruse, that true reason was “insulting” broadcast by Robinson last May discussing family “clique” running SVN government. Diem also complained he had once given long interview to Robinson only to learn subsequently that Robinson not only had not used story but also had remarked that itʼs not much of a President who has that much time to “waste” on reporters. Diem flatly refused Ambassadorʼs appeal to reconsider (see Embtel 466),² conceding only three day extension of expulsion order. Robinson accordingly departed today for Hong Kong.

Mission has considerable evidence that expulsion created unprecedented divisions inside GVN. DGI Director Phan Van Tao and his deputy Dang Duc Khoi called on PAO in unmistakable state of emotional agitation same night Robinson received order. They reported that order had originated with Ngo Dinh Nhu and that they had spent previous hour and half trying futilely to persuade him not to issue it. Tao and Khoi continued thereafter to try to persuade Nhu and Diem to reconsider, including strong memo from Khoi to Diem yesterday, all unavailingly. Khoi openly told newsmen he opposed expulsion, leaked considerable details on behind-scenes maneuvers (including Diem talk with Nolting), and even told PAO he was disgusted to point of resigning (most doubtful).

Grotesquely Tao and Khoi gave dinner evening October 27 for foreign newsmen, including Robinson. Newsmen considered boycott but then decided to go and found guest of honor was Madame Nhu, who spent evening being charming, turning away newsmenʼs complaints with quiet response that they must understand conditions unusual here because SVN at war.

Newsmen sent formal mildly-worded protest to Diem in Robinsonʼs behalf October 31. Its main point was that this discrimination because other journalists had also violated visa regulations. (Mission has located three who are here now, though all applied after seven-day deadline.) So far GVN has not responded.NBC Vice President McAndrew cabled protest to Diem calling expulsion “incomprehensible” and asking explanation. McAndrew also asked how long ban would remain in effect. Mission has repeatedly asked us same question and received no clear answer, except that Robinson should not attempt return immediately. Robinson today said he would try for visa about month hence.

Newsmen of course are uniformly bitter, predicting if GVN gets away with Robinson on top of Sully, still more expulsions are probable. Post is inclined to agree. Affair has made clear that Diem has decided he can override advice of US Mission on press policy. It also has indicated clearly that Nhu, and presumably wife, are becoming increasingly the moulders of this policy, and are doing so in bitter spirit of revenge.

[Here follow sections on the other aspects of the public affairs program.]

Mecklin

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 67 A 677, USIS 1962. Drafted by Mecklin on November 1. Repeated by pouch to Bangkok and Manila and pouched to Vientiane and Phnom Penh.
2. Document 310.