150. Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Philippine and Southeast Asian Affairs (Young) to the Secretary of State1
Washington, April 29,
1955.
SUBJECT
- Message from Chief of Vietnamese Military Intelligence to the U.S.
The following is a message received … from the Chief of Prime Minister Diem’s Military Intelligence with the request that it be transmitted to highest American authorities. The receiving agency comments that the message should properly be read as an informal but attempted communication between the Government of Viet-Nam and the Government of the United States.
[Page 315]- 1.
- Decision has been taken to destroy all rebels supported by the French.
- 2.
- In the event that under French pressure Bao Dai dismisses Diem overtly, then present government will take to maquis in the name of the Revolution against Bao Dai and France.
- 3.
- Meanwhile President this morning sent telegram to Bao Dai seeking pretexts not to proceed to Cannes (i.e. President and General Ty).2 Same time Binh Xuyen being defeated quickly as possible.
- 4.
- President Ngo Dinh Diem requests support and moral pressure on Bao Dai and French to bring about postponement execution of Bao Dai’s previous decisions taken in recent telegrams.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/4–2955. Top Secret. Drafted by Hoey. Also sent to Hoover, Murphy, MacArthur, Merchant, and Sebald.↩
- As reported in telegram 4928 from Saigon, April 29, Bao Dai ordered Diem and Chief of General Staff Ty to Cannes for consultations. (Ibid., 751G.00/4–2955)↩