NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
CORRECTED COPY
| Control: | 10953 |
| Rec'd: | December 25, 1954 |
| 12:16 a.m. |
| FROM: | Saigon |
| TO: | Secretary of State |
| NO: 245, December 25, 8 p.m. |
SENT DEPARTMENT 2455, REPEATED INFORMATION PARIS 742, MANILA 361.
MANILA EXCLUSIVE FOR RADFORD
LIMIT DISTRIBUTION
PASS DEFENSE
FROM COLLINS
Reference Paris 2601, repeated Saigon 388.
Following comments submitted for information State and Defense; all paragraph references are to reference telegram unless otherwise indicated:
1. First paragraph statement that "only suggestion which has been accepted by Diem was appointment Minh as Minister of Defense" is not correct. See paragraph 2A, Part II, my telegram 2250. Most of actions listed there were taken upon my recommendations of which Ely had been informed.
2. Mendes statement in paragraph two likewise paints unduly black picture. Fact is that when Ely departed Saigon our staffs were still working on details of six programs outlined my telegram 2004. Ely and I had reached general agreement on each of these programs but until details were further developed, we were not prepared to present them to Diem government. Subsequent to Ely's departure we have discussed with Diem detailed suggestions for National Assembly. Generally these were received favorably by Diem. US staff officers now actively studying proposals with small committee appointed by Diem. While not conclusive, fairly satisfactory progress is being made. Similarly, statement attributed to Ely in paragraph 6 that "both were now virtually convinced that it was hopeless to expect anything of Diem is an overstatement. I made no such statement to Ely though he might have deduced this from our discussions, reported in paragraphs 4 and 5 my telegram 2285. Reference paragraphs 6 and 8, we have not submitted any ultimatum to Diem although I have tried to make clear to him that no decision has been reached by the United
