NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
TOP SECRET SENSITIVE
Control: | 5012 |
Rec'd: | APRIL 9, 1955 |
2:10 P.M. |
FROM: | SAIGON |
TO: | Secretary of State |
NO: | 4448, APRIL 9, 10 P.M. (SECTION THREE OF FIVE) |
NIACT
FOR SECRETARY FROM COLLINS.
DEPARTMENT TELEGRAMS 4411 and 4412.
6. Form new cabinet. During thie period, the new president will have been consulting with possible new cabinet members. As quickly as possible, he should form his new government and announce it.
7. Reorganize government structure.
A. Our tentative thinking on this point has been covered in some detail in recent telegrams.
B. We feel it would be advisable under current conditions for president, after consultation with his cabinet and separately with Ely and me, to appoint a "high council" consisting of representatives of various intellectual groups, labor, sects and other religious groups, refugees, and distinguished personalties such as former President Long, my personal judgment is that this council should not include people like General Hinh, but Hoi, Tan or Huu, though French might insist upon inclusion of some such people.
C. Diem has indicated that he would favor appointment of an economic advisory council, including some foreign experts. Certainly technically competent people will be needed in economic field, though they could be supplied to government through French and American economic aid programs. However, it might be well to have them carried officially in an advisory council.
D. Based on our experience here, I feel that there should
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