361. Memorandum From the Acting Secretary of State to the President1
SUBJECT
- Semi-official Visit of Brother of President of Viet-Nam
Mr. Ngo Dinh Nhu, brother and political advisor of President Ngo Dinh Diem of the Republic of Viet-Nam, is making a round the world trip in a semi-official capacity. He is Diem’s most influential advisor and he wields great power behind the scenes. His wife serves as the President’s official hostess.
Mr. Nhu has expressed the desire to have a brief interview with you during his visit. He explains that the Government of Viet-Nam feels that its status vis-à-vis its Asian neighbors would benefit if he could see you before President Ngo Dinh Diem starts a projected tour of Southeast Asia. I believe that granting Mr. Nhu an interview would serve to enhance Vietnamese prestige both as against the northern communist regime and in Southeast Asia generally.
Viet-Nam is our newest and one of our staunchest friends in Asia and we have great reason to be satisfied with President Diem’s performance and therefore reason to show the highest level attention to his brother and close advisor. If it meets with your approval I would like to instruct our Embassy in Saigon to tell President Diem that you have learned that his brother is planning a tour which includes a visit to the United States and that you would be pleased to see him while he is here. A brief call scheduled for some time between March 25 and March 30 would be all that would be necessary and appropriate.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International Series, Confidential. Dulles left Washington on March 6 to attend the SEATO meetings in Canberra, Australia, the formal sessions of which took place March 11–13. (Princeton Library, Dulles Papers, Dulles’ Appointment Book) Christian A. Herter became Under Secretary of State on February 21.↩