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

318. Letter From the Director of the Vietnam Working Group (Wood) to the Ambassador in Vietnam (Nolting)¹

Washington, November 16, 1962.

Dear Fritz: Thank you for your letter of the 6th² on the Robinson case. I can understand your puzzlement by the lack of reaction here which was occasioned more by the lack of manpower than lack of interest. I was in touch constantly with the head of the Washington NBC³ bureau and he understood the speed and firmness with which you acted vis-à-vis the GVN. He felt that the Embassy had done what it could and I gathered that he did not think Robinsonʼs own actions merited all-out support from NBC. There was no suggestion here from the Governor or anyone else about invoking sanctions.

On the other hand the Governor feels as strongly as ever that the GVN is making a serious mistake in its handling of the foreign press. The second and third sentences in the paragraph numbered 2 of Deptel 513⁴ are only pale reflections of the depth of his feelings. For the present I think the expulsion of Sully and Robinson have been at least partially swallowed by the journalistic profession on the grounds that they are not perhaps among the more outstanding members of the Fourth Estate. Although the enclosed editorial from the New York Times⁵ indicates a continuing journalistic thundering, the cases of Sully and Robinson are certainly not developing into cause celebre here.

Perhaps the banning of Newsweek and the continued sporadic suppression of other American periodicals will have a more galling long-run effect and, I must say, seem inexcusable in American eyes. These are international publications which only very occasionally refer to Viet-Nam. Whereas an individual correspondentʼs behavior might provide some grounds for “handing him his passport”, the suppression of one of the Free Worldʼs leading news periodicals seems a bit childish. Do you think anything might be done?

Evidently the GVN think they have our number on this press question and can do as they wish. I can thus understand your temptation to make a public declaration. Should we perhaps have one or two plans up our sleeves in case they should try another fast one?

1. As you know, the Governor has very good relations with the upper brass of the journalistic world and has recently said that he is always prepared to have a word with them. By this he meant that if you see storm clouds gathering around a particular journalist or publication he might help m explaining the Vietnamese point of view here to the owner or Publisher concerned. He would, of course, only undertake this if the Vietnamese view could be presented as making sense in American eyes.

2. Might it be wise to let the GVN know now that if they intend to “fire” another correspondent, it may be necessary for you in Saigon or for the Department here to make a public statement, calmly but clearly setting forth our disagreement?

3. As to sanctions, while the Governor has said he did not wish to invoke them, we have not studied the question here. Would we be prepared to cut off any USIA or Psywar services to the GVN which would embarrass them without hurting the war effort? I imagine we should not cut off services to the provinces, but we might seriously consider whether we should reduce our support of cultural activities in Saigon if the GVN should take another swipe at the freedom of the U.S. press.

Certainly the main point that the Vietnamese should understand is the one expressed so clearly by the President to Thuan, when the GVN begins to do better in the war, its public image will take care of itself.

Good luck with your numerous visitors and may you have a quiet Christmas at home with your family.

Yours very sincerely,

Chalmers B. Wood⁶

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 951K.50/11-662. Secret; Official-Informal. Attached to Document 312.
2. Document 312.
3. Deptel 474. [Footnote in the source text. Dated October 26, it reported on conversations with Bill Monroe, Washington News Director for NBC, on the Robinson case. (Department of State, Central Files, 951K.6211/10-2662)]
4. Dated November 12. These two sentences read: “Embassy should impress on GVN that measures outlined in AP report [on limiting press activities] would jeopardize American public and Congressional support essential GVN operations. There must be reasonable opportunity for press to observe and report shortcomings as well as accomplishments.” (Ibid., 751K.00/11-1062)
5. Not printed. It was The New York Times editorial for November 16.
6. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.