. eet whedon, F ar rte i ee in a F . . aan ; ; ~“duicoING TELEGRAM  Lepartment ¢ of State am INDICATE: Drcoiuser . £) craace aN : SECRET - | om ACTION: 8u ss FOR AMBASSADOR LODGE. | | Re your 403. ae Results your talk. ‘with Nhu promising ¢ on surface but ' we fear stalling tactics especially in light of CAS OB and cas 0537. Thus,. Nhu in Dalat. would be some improvement, but he could still be power behind ‘throne; Madame Nhu's tour could be plus: for her local prestige unless. she. stays away i 2 long time and takes: a vacation rather than a speech making wai world tour (we would emphatically oppose her speaking in the US); dealings: with ‘Buddhists. depend on concrete action not expression of intent; broadening of “.. cabinet may or may not be real, In short, everything depends. on: there being co . real substance to ‘Nhu’ S various proposals and change ; in GVN policies and | ‘actions. if Nhu is sincere in his desire reach accommodation rather than : merely stalling,. his initial offer may be subject to negotiation upward: if we. , maintain momentum, Accordingly, we should start negotiations with optimum 7 oo position, expecting that GVN and. Wwe might meet Somewhere’ in betwee.” ata ee Telegraphic conan a and classification approved by: FE - Roger Hilsman- » Drafted by: FE: -RHilsman: mk 9/3/63 os Samet. The Secretary (draft) DOD - Secretary McNamara: (erat) pe White House - . - _ DOD/ICS - Gen. ‘Taylor (draft) « os d - REPRODUCTION FROM THIS Mr. Forrestal ( rat) cr) Mr. Nobbe.  EGpy IS PROHIBITED _ SECRET - UNLESS | “UNCLASSIFIED”. FORM "ORM ye 999
“Page —2_ot telegram to __Atnembassy SAIGON _ SECRET “In this situation feeling here is that it is‘essential that central negotiations. should be conducted. directly with Diem and ‘that you should proceed, to & first | meeting as soon as in your judgment you think it. desirable. Bargain with Nhu Nrould only confirm: his. ascendancy. “We should be incliried to press for. earliest such meeting. Harkins, should resume his routine military contacts, and, following your tak ‘with Diem, should resume frequent contacts with | Thuan and Diem on military matters, to ! get on with’ war.) \ . | You, will have President's broadcast comments separately. “You showld | emphasize to Diem that President has. expressed his views because of his. concern - for the: sugcess of the'war effort and his hope’ that the GVN will recognize the need -for changes in their policy ; and. improvements in, their government. | | _. Subject to these specific comments, the following is guidance for your first : -covvetsation with Diem. — . | | 4a) General Posture: We will contimie to. assert publicly : and privately US discontent: ‘with: repression which has. eroded effort toward common: goal. ‘of winning: ° mal «to. overthrow government, ‘put engaged in candid: ‘and critical talks. to improve the oo war until there are concrete results in GYN. policies ‘and ‘posture. ‘US not: tryi & Purpose of general Posture. is to. give you leverage with GVN; avoid: false Public . “Ampression US tried somethtiig ‘and now. backing Off; and to avoid seeming: to. : . Aegitesce in | repression, vihich would put US0 on: ‘wrong side fence with: majority 0 of , cae SECRET
aan “page _3-of telegram to_. | people inside Viet-Nam: and the world, 4b) First Meeting with: Diem: You should’ make poirits Deptel. 204 re common , interests in defeating Viet Cong; difficulty for US Government in. maintaining support of American people in face daily juxtaposition:US casualties and aid:with repressive measures; and common. problem, ‘under time urgency, of working out set of GVN policies and actions that. will make continued support possible. | Additional sbecifics-are: release of remaining students and bonzes,. - including satisfactory quarantees:safety.of three bonzes now in US Embassy; removal of press censorship; restoration of damaged pagodas by the GUN; repeal of. : te Decree 10; and honest negotiation between GV Nand true Buddhist leadér'ship on « | outstanding issues. You may assure Diem. that if he takes appropriate action, use a will do, ll in its power to improve public opinion of GVN in the “US. GP=1. End. .