457-10014-10158 v9.1 AGENCY : RECORD NUMBER : RECORD SERIES : AGENCY FILE NUMBER: ORIGINATOR : FROM: TO: TITLE: DATE : PAGES: SUBJECTS : DOCUMENT TYPE : CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : HY 50955 Bocld: 32429546 JFK Assassination System Identification Form SSCIA 157-10014-10158 MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS OF THE CHURCH COMMITTEE 07-M-63 SSCIA ELDER, WALTER MILLER, WILLIAM 07/14/1975 10 ASSASSINATION VIET NAM CONIEN, LUCIEN CABLE Declassified 1B; 1C Redact 05/05/2000 CCBOX 437 Page i Agency Information Document Information WT2015
Date Page 08/07/95 JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY INFORMATION AGENCY ;: SSCIA RECORD NUMBER : 157-10014-10158 RECORDS SERIES : MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS OF THE CHURCH COMMITTEE AGENCY FILE NUMBER : 07-M~-63 DOCUMENT INFORMATION ORIGINATOR : SSCIA FROM : ELDER, WALTER _TO : MILLER, WILLIAM TITLE : ; DATE : 07/14/75 PAGES : 10 SUBJECTS : VIET NAM CONIEN, LUCIEN ASSASSINATION DOCUMENT TYPE : CABLE CLASSIFICATION : TOP SECRET RESTRICTIONS : REFERRED CURRENT STATUS : POSTPONED IN FULL DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 01/08/99 OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : CCBOX 437 [R] - ITEM IS RESTRICTED BW 50955 Docld:32423546 Page 2
-S FILE CONTAINS SPECIALLY DESIGNATED. INicLLIGENCE MALE RLAL stion in this file is to be reai only. It is not to be extracted, paraphrased, or discussed with another person without specific If you have a question, or a requirement, speak to the Control 10 gave you access to this file. OF -VERSTN PAVING ACCESS FROM TOT ISSUED BY] SECURED SY TS LOB C100 1G L018 | | a ERS PN Arata gp re) »'4 SL 1 a
eeahiel Review Staff: 75/1083 “CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RY g4) WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505 14 July 1975 EE Mr. William G. Miller Staff Director Select Committee To Study Governmental Operations With Respect To Intelligence Activities United States Senate : Si Washington, D. C. 20510 — Dear Mr. Miller: Attached are four paraphrased copies of the following requested cables in response to a request arising. from — Mr. Colby's appearance before the SSC on 20 June 1975: er eo a z 1.. SAIG 1445, 5 October 1963 ~ 2. SAIG 1447, 5 October 1963 eel ~ 3. DIR 73661, 6 October 1963 4. SAIG 1463, 7 October 1963 CAP 63560 dated 5 October 1963, also requested, is not included. This is a White House message, and we have no copy. ; DEPTEL 534, 5 October 1963, is also not included. The pee Third Agency Rule applies to this document, and the SSC ne ~ should contact the State Department for this cable. : 7 Foss Sincerely, ; 7 _ Want Eldex ; ., Walter Elder SS Assistant to the Director ‘ . . . I Attachments: a/s ; RECE!. > FROM : JUL L5 1975 . itie _— NATIONAL caso sie Ciessited OZ ZEA —_ Unauthorized Dischoes ure Subject to deciacsification echecule of E.0. 11652 Laie impossible to Ceiermine gee amram in TE ST ge ee TE a! HW 50955 Docld:32493546 Page 4
Ss ROUTING 1 1 We ¢ Cc ' Sl 4! : DIRECTOR Oo 31 OM & SAIGON : 7 Co Riuey TION: C/FE 1-6 (pel, DDP, C/FE ISSUED TEMPO COPIES 1055 5 oct/os) | 7 + DCI 7, D/pcl 8, DDP 9, RF 10, VR 11 TOP SECRET 0512102 IMMEDIATE DIR CITE SAIG 1445, ny LO Cobakl Caen’ ae . ORYBAT TUCOBALT | Eg tereinass2 | ) | | , , deel 1. LT. COL. CONEIN MET WITH GEN, DUONG VAN MINH AT GEN. MINH'S HEADQUARTERS ON LE VAN DUYET FOR ONE HOUR AND TEN “MINUTES MORNING OF 5 OCT 1963, THIS MEETING WAS AT THE | INITIATIVE OF CEN. MINH AND HAD BEEN SPECIFICALLY CLEARED IN. - “ADVANCE BY AMBASSADOR LODGE. NO OTHER PERSONS VERE PRESENT. “THE CONVERSATION WAS CONDUCTED IN FRENCH. 2. GEN. MINH STATED THAT HE NUST KNOW AMERICAN GOVERNNENT'S” POSITION WITH RESPECT TO A CHANGE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM WITHIN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. GEN. NINH ADDED THE GENERALS WERE ‘AWARE THE SITUATION IS DETERIORATING RAPIDLY AND THAT ACTION -T0 CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT NUST BE TAKEN OR THE WAR WILL BE LOST TO THE VIET CONG BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT NO LONGER HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE. GEN. MINH IDENTIFIED AMONG THE OTHER GENERALS PARTICIPATING WITH HIM IN THIS PLAN: a an MAJ. GEN. TRAN VAN DON | RECS PRON BRIG. GEN. TRAN THIEN KHIEM “45 1975 MAJ. GEN. TRAN VAN KIM He Cha REPRODUCTION BY OTHER THAN THE ISSUING OFFICE 1S PROHIBITED 1 + rt mace pay eee Set et HY 50955 DBocld:324273546 Page 45 21 Loe Sf é |
IN 33921 __ PAGE! SOF ee Be GEN. MINH MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE DED NOT EXPECT ANY " CLASS [Fi ic) HESSAGE SPECIFIC ANERICAN SUPPORT FOR AN EFFORT ON THE PART OF HIMSELF Ce AND HIS COLLEAGUES TO CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT BUT HE STATED. HE DOES NEED ANERICAN ASSURANCES THAT THE USG WILL Not RPT NOT . ATTEMPT TO THUART THIS PLAN. _ 4. GEN. MINH ALSO STATED THAT HE HIMSELF HAS No POLITICAL AMBITIONS NOR DO ANY OF THE OTHER GENERAL OFFICERS | EXCEPT PERHAPS, HE SAID LAUGHINGLY, GEN. TON THAT DIN. eri: HI INSISTED THAT HIS ONLY PURPOSE IS TO WIN THE VAR. HE ADDED , ~~ EMPHATICALLY THAT TO DO THIS CONTINUATION OF AMERICAN HILITARY AND ECONOMIC AID AT THE PRESENT LEVEL CHE SAID ONE AND ONE HALF. HELLI ON DOLLARS PER DAY) IS NECESSARY. | Be GEN: HINH OUTLINED THREE POSSIBLE PLANS FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT: ) A. ASSASSINATION OF NGO DINH NHU AND a CAN KEEPING PRESIDENT DIEM IN OFFICE, GEN, MINH SAID THIS YAS THE EASIEST PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH. — | a By THE ENCIRCLEMENT OF SATGON BY VARIOUS MILITARY _ UNITS PARTICULARZLY THE UNIT AT BEN CAT. (COMMENT: FIFTHDEVESION . nee NTS COMMANDED BY GEN. DINH.) | Oo : |G, DIRECT CONFRONTATION BETWEEN HILITARY a NTS INVOLVE D IN THE COUP AND LOYALIST WILITARY UNITS IN SalCou. IN'EFFEGT, DIVIDING THE GITY CF SAaiGON To SECTORS AND CLEANING 7 IT OUT POCKET BY POCKET. GEN, NINH CLAINS UNDER THE ClRCuUSTA! ors DIEM AND NHU COULD COUNT ON THE LOYALTY OF 5,300 TROOPS WITHIN THE CITY OF SAIGON. | | Re i ee at tome eo. . ise Vidi gad MES ’ ‘ : a . o. . * . aan i . ° t , 4 . Fas an . : . nn . » . - . . \ je HW 50955 Docld:324293546 Page 6
' . . / OUASSHPig SU lSnGE ; EO’ SeESe 4b tin 33921. pace 3 OF & errr ee eo: nate ee oe atte BB cee oe hee ed ere, ear tance ach age stesso a ne Lopeptaeey 6& CONEIN REPLicv TO GEN. Aik Chay BL COgLD HOP 22cu ER SPECIFIC QUESTION AS TO USG NON-INTERFERENCE NOR COULD HE GIVE ANY ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO TACTICAL PLANNING, HE ADDED THAT. HE COULD NOT ASYISE CONCERNING THE BEST OF ‘THE THREE PLANS. 7. GEN, MINH WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THE MOST DANGEROUS  - MEN IN SOUTH VIETNAM ARE NGO DINH NHU, NGO DINH CAN AND Neo TRONG HIEU. MINH STATED THAT HIEU WAS FORMERLY A COMMUNIST AND STILL HAS COMMUNIST SYNPATHIES. WHEN COL. CONEIN REMARKED THAT HE HAD CONSIDERED COL. TUNG AS ONE OF THE MORE DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS, GEN. MINH STATED "IF I GET RID OF NHU, CAN AND HIEU; COL. TUNG WILL BE ON HIS KNEES BEFORE NE." | ; 3. GEN. :MINH ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS WORRIED AS TO THE ROLE OF GEN. TRAN THIEN KHIEM SINCE KHIEM MAY HAVE PLAYED A DOUBLE ROLE IN AUGUST. GEN, MINN ASKED THAT COPIES OF THE | DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY PASSED TO GEN, KHIEM (PLAN OF CAMP LONG THANH AND MUNITIONS INVENTORY AT THAT. CAMP) BE PASSED TO GEN. MINH PERSONALLY FOR COMPARISON WITH PAPERS PASSED-BY KHIEM TO MINH PURPORTEDLY FROM CAS. | | 9, MINH FURTHER STATED THAT ONE OF THE REASONS THEY ARE HAVING TO ACT QUICKLY WAS THE FACT THAT MANY REGINENTAL, BATTALION AND COMPANY COMMANDERS ARE WORKING ON COUP PLANS OF THEIR OWN YHICH COULD BE ABORTIVE AND "A CATASTROPHE.” 10. MINH APPEARED TO UNDERSTAND :CONEIN'S POSITION OF BEING UNABLE TO COMMENT aT THE PRESENT MOMENT BUT ASKED THAT CONEIN AGAIN MEET WITH GEN. MINH TO DISCUSS THE SPECIFIC PLAN Poyaheas OF OPERATIONS WHICH GEN. MINH HOPES TO PUT INTO ACTION, NO 0 =k? 4 yt “JUL 15. 197% Be erm gp eng te etree oe HY 50955 DBoctd: 3274293546 Page 7
HW ILASSIFIES BESSACE caenttoy Aine Ahem on Te tm NOx UNCE SRSTANDING AND STATED THAT HE WOULD ARRANGE TO CONTACT CORE COME 1ITTAL IN HIS REPLY. 2 SPECIFIC DATE WAS GIVEN FCR THES NEKY MSETENS, GEN. PN 33921 _ PAGE" OF ob oF & CONE IN was ACATN MINH ONCE AGAIN INDICATE SD HI IN, THE NEAR. FUTURE ASD HpPE D THAT Cot ‘2 IN WOULD BE ABLE TO oa me thy MEET viTH HIN AGAIN: AND GIVE THE ASSURANCE OUTLINED ‘ABOVE. T & Po Ss a C R E T 0955 wc wee nee ee eee ae _ -~ - C -~ . a” 8 , a an ¢ / , ‘ ® 4 wa 6 ' eS - ta ate af 1 ’ : ‘ “i uty ’ -yi JULES IHS : “4 oo vf. Ty Z +e 8A ERLE ET OE RCE IT RTO EN ET PET NE mL eee ee seer me mle ge te eee cee Doctd: 32423546 Page 6
a wee rn CLASSIFIED, i ESSAGE * PAGE 1 OF 2 a ROUTING [4] Ea 1é] 2| 3} TO : DiRECTOR FROM + SAIGON . . ACTION: C/FE . 1/2 - o/oc1, 5 DOP, C/E. NOTIFIED AND COPIES [SSUED talio 5 5 OCT/oJ) - a . \ . INFO. -:DCI 3, D/DCI 4, DDP5, RF6, VRT LG a. ns Se TOP: S ECR ET 0513052 7 _INMEDIATE DIR CITE SAIG 1447 3 h >. \ ° a. Loe ne _ SBSH 306 Co Ty BBPAD) * 1. SAIG 1445 DISCUSSED WITH AMBASSADOR LODGE AND Den TRUEHEART< AMBASSADOR Now COORDINATING DRAFT MESSAGE TO RUSK AND CIA) WET H GENERAL HARKINS, NESSAGE IN PRESENT FORM ASKS FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON FOLLOY UP OF MINH -CONEIN INSTRUCTIONS ano RECOMMENDS THAT GEN. MINK BE GIVEN THE ASSURANCES HE DESIRES, 2. I HAVE REC OMMENDED TO AMBASSADOR LODGE THAT: A. THAT VE PROCEED WITH THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH GEN, MINH, 4 Be WE DO NOT SET OURSELVES IRREVOCABLY AGAINST THE ASSASSINATION PLOT, SINCE THE OTHER Two ALTERNATIVES MEAN EITHER A BLOODBATH IN SAIGON at i OR A PROTRACTED STRUGGLE WHICH COULD RIP THE ARMY AND THE COUNTRY \ . "Wsunoen. y a Cs THAT EQUAL OR GREATER | _MEIGHT BE GIVEN TO biscussros AND PLANNING OF ALTERNATIVES THAN To DISCUSSION OF HEANS To BRING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT. oo 3, IN SEPERATE DISCUSSIONS WITH Dem TRUEHEART Ir HAVE COMMENTED THAT: a eM _— fw ind ber de mR SCALE: ++ Av ANY PLAN TO ELIMINATE NGO DINK CAN AND NGO DINK NHU JUL £5 i975 GIA DEON AMA ririn mee eee mem me mee HW 50955 DBocld:324273546 Page 9 e*
HY *. CLASSIFIED MESZAGE Se meee sperm meet tem cme ee : AND RETAIN PRESIDENT DIE" Is NAIVE _ SINCE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS DIEM PROBABLY. YOULD NOT COOPERATE WITH THE PERPETRATORS OF THOSE ACTS. | 3 OFFIC Coa. 7 IMSREES WITH THIS VIEY IN DISCUSSIONS WITH HIM IMMEDIATELY. PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTUR E>. . . , \B. WHILE IT IS BY NO MEANS CERTAIN THAT BIG MINH Has THE WILL AND ABILITY TO CARRY OUT THE PLANS HE OUTLINED TO CONEIN, HE PROBABLY FEELS HE EITHER HAS TO ACT OR SEE THE INITIATIVE PASS TO TRE HANDS OF JUNIOR OFFIGERS WHOSE EFFORTS WOULD PROBABLY BE ABORTIVE. C. THE SELF-IM“oL ATION” OF ‘THE BONZE IN SAIGON “TODAY MAY BE THE BE GINNING oF twin OF ADDITIONAL SUICIDES AND CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE WHICH WILL DEEPEN THE CRISIS HERE. _ OFFICIAL'S - | - 4, I HAVE FULLY IN MIND CIA / ADMONITIONS NOT RPT NOT To FEM Bit 2K ON THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE HIGHEST ‘LEVEL. THUS, EACH RECOM IMENDATION AND CONMENT IS PREDICATED UPON uy RECEIPT OF INSTRUCTIONS FROW Has. -5, FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE COX ISIDERABLE ‘CONFIDENCE THAT CONEIN CAN ARLY CARRY’ (OUT WHATEVER TL ROLE IN THIS AFFAIR THAT Hos MAY DIRECT. | | T OP SECRET — toe ee mee stems: : cis Comment: *Minh told’ Conein he - must know American Govt. position «. vith respect toa change in the GVN within the very near future, Minh outlined three Possible plans for the accomplishment of the change. . an ° , : ; a ay = vf ~ . = QO Fal Ay , an Reo ROM JUL 15.1975 SO955 Boacld: 32423546 Page 10
ss oS CLASSIFIED MESSAGE mr: 6UC/ FE C] INDEX To: - {J NO INDEX RET 6 OCT 1963 (] FILE IN CS FILE NO, SAIGON 20M: DIRECTC “, ONFY—- C/FE 2 tO: DCI, D/OCI, DOP, RF, VR v > PRIORITY SAIG INFO CITE DIR “Fo J i RYBAT _ | | | . | UN RE SAIG 1447 (In 33965)” GUIDANCE ON SAIG 1445 (IN 33921) WILL COME IN SEPARATE OFFICIAL MESSAGE. MEANWHILE, HOWEVER, CIA / DIRECTS THAT YOU WITHDRaAY . OFFICIAL'S RECOMMENDATION TO AMBASSADOR REF PARA 2B UNDER CIA / LNSURUCTIONS AS WE CANNOT BE IN POSITION ACTIVELY CONDONING SUCIE COURSE Os ACTION AND THEREBY ENGAGING OUR RESPONSIBILITY THEREFOR, . . END OF MESSAGE ; ~ C/S COMMENT: *TOP SECRET. | a eo ; aad fr. . , { ined _ phe . . \L \ yee rls dye . yO JUL 15 1975 LEC OO . . CAT Ee . COORDINATING OFFICERS [ RELEASING FOCTFICE j S F C R ET _ REPRODUCTION BY OTHER THAN THE ISSUING OFFICE IS PEELS cb. SE HW 50955 Docld:327423546 Page 11
> ap ieeremes mare cae cme mee nmee ON CERSSIFIED MESSAGE TOUR TR me erases Hat ROUTING “Os DIRECTOR 20m 1 SAIGON | 4 2 - . Lon ta . HON, C/FE 2 Ao : CC — ES 70 . 4 DCI pfocy DDP, » RF VR oe Poe - ae oa ‘ S. E c RET (B19 ATE oe a : cys, ve . wes UU ber 83 E4280 “PR LOR ITY Di cme SAIC 1463 _ . 1 . he. RYPAT oe. Md REF: | ‘DIR 73861" fe <onetion TAKEN AS DIRECTED” nN ‘REF. IN ADDITION, ‘sincs . : we a" DoW TRUEHEART was aL SO PRESENT. WHEN ORIGINAL RECOMMEND ATION Ses OFFICIAL'S ot MADE, SPECIFIC WITHDRAWAL ‘OF RECOMMENDATION AT CIA/. . INSTRUCTION = vas ALSO CONVEYED TO TRUE HEART. AMBASSADOR “LoveeSonen NTED THaT a a _ Sap ES. BRENT" S ; OPINION as REFLECTED INS SaTs 144g, Cvsve2¢) et ae eee” eo ata - oy Ces COMMENT! 2 CIA J : Ne the. Ambassador . : tte “Pb tl) hep gd bods ae: Atibassedoz Lodge se¢o-nmesded that ‘Conein when mext apnroacked “by Minh assure him that US rill: nor attem pt: to Chivact his’ plans, ot “assassination. plans, and assure. Mizb, that US aid: WAL be: “continued ¢o Vistaam under a. government which gives p> omise of CBAs “the war “against-the Communists: 2 a withazaw the recomcr endatl dod, ther thant the i ing ¢ the: », SuppOHE, of, t: 22€, ‘People 2 mad Wianing : - v . ; 15 1975 ae ° * lu HW 350955 DBDocld:327423546 Page 12