Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume II, Vietnam, January–June 1965

349. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State¹

Saigon, June 12, 1965, 2:05 a.m.

4157. At Quat’s request Manfull and I met with him, Bui Diem, Gen. Thieu and Gen Ky at Quat’s office at 0100 this morning.

Interim formula arrived at after marathon meetings first of generals,² then of generals and Quat, then generals, Quat and full Cabinet, and finally generals, Quat, full Cabinet, Chief of State and Legislative Council³ is as follows:

1. A statement will be issued tomorrow morning in the name of all of the above elements announcing that power has been returned to the military and that Chief of State, Prime Minister and Cabinet will serve in a caretaker capacity (Legislative Council disappears). Statement will also appeal to all population remain calm etc.⁴

2. Gens Thieu and Ky working jointly with Quat will: (A) discuss principal policy lines of government, (B) future governmental structure and (C) personnel to be incorporated in government. (They said Armed Forces Council would not be reestablished.)

They accepted my suggestion that Do call in diplomatic corps here to give them information and explain action before announcement made public tomorrow. It was also agreed Bui Diem will hold press backgrounder.

I strongly emphasized that in this move and future plans they keep strongly in mind international aspects, particularly in view upcoming Afro-Asian conference. Stressed that international aspects were of great importance and proper interest to USG and thus hoped to be consulted as they moved ahead with their work. They all agreed.

In response to my queries on their estimate of opposition, especially Catholic, attitudes toward move they took very relaxed attitude.

Both privately and in presence of generals, Quat stressed to me that discussions between himself, government and generals had been entirely frank and cordial and he was very satisfied with the attitude of the generals. (Incidentally all four corps commanders are returning to their commands early tomorrow morning.)

Johnson

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXXV. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Bangkok, Vientiane, CINCPAC for POLAD, and the White House for Bundy.
2. On June 11 the CIA Station in Saigon reported on two meetings of the generals at Ky’s house to draw up a plan for a new government to resolve the political stalemate. (TDCS DB-315/02022–65; ibid.)
3. At 12:33 a.m., June 12, Johnson sent a telegram to Washington reporting on this series of meetings, which, at that point, were inconclusive. Johnson noted that he had passed word to Thieu and Quat that they should not take U.S. acquiescence for granted, and that he expected that the Embassy would be informed and consulted before any far-reaching decisions were made. (Telegram 4156 from Saigon; Department of State, Central Files, POL 15 VIET S)
4. The text of this statement, broadcast by Radio Saigon on the morning of June 12, was transmitted to Washington in telegram 4158 from Saigon, June 12. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXXV)