Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Vietnam, Volume I

135. Memorandum From Frank Valeo to Senator Mike Mansfield¹

Washington, April 25, 1955.

SUBJECT

• Conversation Today with Wesley Fishel

Fishel said that he had received a long cable from Diem the day before yesterday which was surprisingly optimistic. In the cable he said (1) he was proclaiming his general election three months from now; (2) there is clear evidence that the Binh Xuyen are losing ground daily. He said that there have been over a thousand defections with arms from that group and over a hundred from the Hoa Hao. The latter has been badly split and pay for the men was now only 45 piasters a month, whereas previously they had been getting 350 a month; (3) the National Army has extremely high morale, even fanatical, and he is confident that the Army will follow him against the Binh Xuyen and against Ba Cut.

Fishel believes that the latest difficulty is unquestionably related to the change of government in Paris and that the principal cause of trouble is with our ally France, no question of that. They are determined to get Diem out. Collins, he says, is half-way on their side at the moment.

Fishel thought it highly important that you talk to a Vietnamese who has just arrived in this country from Paris, Vo Lang. He will be in Washington tomorrow and is leaving on Wednesday. Vo Lang is Director of Cabinet for Diem’s brother who is Ambassador in Paris,² and in Fishel’s opinion, very competent and reliable.

Fishel thought that Diem’s brother’s wife who has gotten in the news recently has no influence at all on Diem. She is very vivacious and a fanatic nationalist, but doesn’t influence him one bit. However, Fishel thinks one of Diem’s brothers is seen too much by Diem. While that brother’s influence is only partial, Diem is listening to him more than he should, and he is a defeatist.

Fishel thinks Diem will make it if he has American support. He thought your recent remarks³ were very timely and good.⁴

1. Source: University of Montana, Mansfield Papers, Series XXII, Box 107, Vietnam. Frank Valeo was Senator Mansfield’s Legislative Assistant.
2. Probably a reference to Ngo Dinh Luyen, then an Ambassador at Large.
3. According to The New York Times of April 22, Mansfield was “on record as urging the total suspension of United States aid to South Vietnam if its Premier is overthrown.”
4. The following note appears at the bottom of the source text: “I had a second call from Fishel on the 26th re possible talk with Vo Lang. He will be in Washington on the 27th and will call.”