Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume IV, Vietnam, August–December 1963

97. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam¹

Washington, September 12, 1963, 4 p.m.

391. Eyes only for the Ambassador.

1. Highest level meeting September 11,² discussed your 478³ and draft State Department plan for multiple pressures, public and private, to remove Nhus from scene.⁴

2. Sense of meeting was that you should continue frequent conversations with Diem, although all recognize how frustrating these are. On this point Secretary will be sending you a separate cable.⁵

3. In the meantime we preparing plans for consideration highest level of variety of concrete moves we can make to give you additional leverage.

4. Among these are the following:

(a) Evacuation of all dependents, which strikes us as desirable.

(b) Senate Resolution, along lines Frank Church’s proposal⁶ providing we are sure it will pass with large majority and will not be amended so as to tie the Administration’s hands.

(c) Phased plan of isolation Nhu, including giving aid directly to units and programs and bypassing central government.

5. Re your 483,⁷ in the meantime and over the next few days while fundamental decisions being formulated, AID will stall on the major negotiations or finalizing actions now pending.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 1 S VIET. Top Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Hilsman and cleared by Rusk and Bromley Smith. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD exclusive to Felt.
2. See Documents 93 and 94.
3. Document 86.
4. Apparent reference to Documents 89 and 90.
5. Document 98.
6. See footnote 3, Document 84.
7. In telegram 483, September 11, the Embassy and USOM questioned the wisdom of delaying aid programs to Vietnam, suggested that U.S. policy make a clear distinction between the Palace and the Vietnamese people, and suspend aid only on projects which would affect Diem and his immediate circle of supporters. (Department of State, Central Files, AID(US) S VIET)