14-0'00 0Q - •• 1 _ - · ' - · • - · • '·• -· · • ' · ·t r · fwij ' •_· t1 - -· r r T #r· - - r ·11 t t ' ' - J · - ·· -· - ·-·· - t M - i '' ·· 'f y·_ FO 'CIIO Poii b of iJ -' '- l ze it people i l n k 1963 Tne 2 1t -go•re e lt riot begi l • • • 2 Attack c i agcdas i lpositi- J i of oartial hv Discussio 1 of u3· res pa i se to pagoda raids 2 Ccc ein ceeti lg ·a i th C i er9 l Do i · 3 CIA s- i ±1 1 e o i State_telegra i·re alternative lee d er3h p • • • • • 3 Ric' - s 'izoa 's pers l 'ie m re e lte atc lt D c1 s lip 3 Har -i a 1 1 i'O ' IS ' l s of the substarice of Deptel 24 3 • • • • 4 I'epte 243 g Jidallce to L ldge on proving or -epl aci_nz regi le 4 Hilsi an cr e 1t n c e t1r6 r eptel 243 • • • • • ••• 5 f argue ri i e iiggi i 'i ua I epte L 2 3 5 Bqs r oi nts out danger posed b Deptel 243 directs CL support 7 Ce i k '-- quellts asS ll a cee o U S support 7 I al tial e ii ssy n t t l i cg to discuss I e-ptel ' 4 J • • • • • • • ' Lodge preSc ts lis c --ecent 1 als to Diem 8 Second t o ts on e ut IOrimtiC lS given Lodge in Deptel 243 8 Saigon repo -ts instructions given CIA o f 'iCErs eei Dg t l e generals 9 Results of CL approaciles to the gererels • • • • • • • 9 More secolld t ough ts o Deptel 2113 9 Lod e -e u aa z6j D re a kad tor i i t cr'_ ipp -aisal or pro5pe t s 10 COS believes situatio i has reacl ed point of c o ret -urn 10 Continui cg coa- ern over poor prospects for success of ·c iup • • 10 Taylor cables Ear re Waci 1 lgton's second thoughts ll · 'J'sylor' s cable to arkins caus-es Ric J arlson to c tJ P scenario 12 Steps t- be taken to get t±e CC lp back on the track 12 Discussion of' - here COU ll pl anoi rg vent astray - • • • 13 General Ea rk uls ' 11 ee ti Dg vi th Ce ral Khie r i 13 Discussion of ways in vhich we might li -e vith Diem regble • 14 ·· Colby's sw r a ry o d i feri J lg positiO l S taken ·14·· Richardson reports collapse of cm -p plot in I ate August 15 - Richard son Is -dall age·-as iessment report - 15 Press reports o f CL- coup plotti g • • • • • • • • • • • 16 Further discussion 01' -mys· o wrking vi th Diem regi e 16 Press reports o f CL up-z 0rt 01' Col Tu lg's Special Forces 17 Da-vid Bell var is of' aid ·cuts 17 President c enies cha _rge 'that CIA ir akes its m - i policy • • • • 19 Ric lar ison's views on prospects for 1 l edie te future 19 KrJlak Mencec 311 -epcrts· op J iis i vs pessi Ji • • • • • • • 19 13' ndy stresses ceed to unify 'GS govern ie lt postt re 20 Disagre ents among co ntry 1 em rs • • • • • • • • • 20 Lodge estu ates sitt ation o-OrseniDg rapidly ur es san tions 21 Discussion of' steps necessary before decid icg to cut e id • • 21 State be JlS to ·see O al ter' iati'lo-e to ' IOr · n l-Die i 22 Sheldo 1' s view on Vietnam Ledge till purS'lili g coup ef'f'ort 22 ·r· · ·c' - ··OCi' f '' '· • • ' f I t i i·- •' r ' · i ' ·-·• ' J r • 1· I • 7' '0' ' J -·-· - · -· - _ -·- · ·• ' ' i' · • ' · -iA -i f -t t1 · L - L · ' · ' ' -'•r· ·• • ' t t _c J - ' - '· · • · ·_· S- r - J·r F If 4 %r ¼%f -' _ i· -·· 2 i t ' J Hitt i1 ¼fft i1 Ji fj totii it ' i ft k s t i I$Jl1i 14-00000 · 1v ·' t · - - • I - - li il t02 1 I 23 Ri- - o ' vi · -s c 1 € -d to rl - _ ' i t -2 e D P C' - e sa t 0 i -it ave li th - bl -i c arr i c· - er Lcd e c 3es pr it1 r -ees r - t · - ·•it c i reg e DCI ·ci es I oc se teat L' 1 cale n it e cep'2 'Jle a5 CCS • • • • · • DCI b i fi g o CI 'i 3u i te of i t ze A ec SeI' iCe3 J i e 2 -' '3ylor repo c l vi t i i__--ir 1 t -oop i y e d of 1955 Loc e cc fios his c esi -e t bz t Richardson ce -epl ac ed Ric ar sc n depa -ts • Disc ssio i of g ic a ce i aSed on c la a 9 -'i' ylo - re ort -u -i -eq est assu ra i es -e US positio i o i oup att e - it • • • Dave S iit l recc me ad s i -e ot oppose i ene -als' as assi atioa plan McCo e lstruc s St i to · n t ' ll - i· - recc e 2da tic i 24 2 2 25 25 26 26 26 27 27 Gen 28 28 2' Guida lce to e s'- spe Sion of AID p ject lr-a s 30 30 30 '32 32 33 33 33 34- President approves policy or no ac 1 ve e cou - e ent of coup UU fact-finding nissio i oa repressioa of -ists Preside it co e its on aici ardson tnasfe - CI fo U o- -s nee • • Modi 1- ation or pollc -J or c o coup encou__- ige ent A - bessador' s UJ 3t -uc- i- is re CIA co ac S · ti th bC erals DCI briefi lg of Sc cate Fo -ei n P elat ms C c iit The ge rals' p an i'cr a co in e -ee follc-r__ g Cct 26 • • • • Budget Bureau o_fi'icer -eports Lo e c ar es a i st CIA Follo- -1 1 ·1 1eeti 3 · iet - een C iei l a Gee Do i 2' Oct • • • • • • Bu d -esermtio 1s eve - 3-Cii-g cf c ta t -1 g era Lodge reports CIA pu ictilious in carr i l 6 out is instructions Coup plotting t'S gover e it policy OCI's vie· rs Lodge cc u'L 'l ls Co in 's s fide s to Gen Do l • • • • • • • • • • IAst Conei I Dc i eeti g ei'o -e the c -p - ras 12 - ed Lod e g1 -res his vie· s o cu - -e lt co1 1 lottiq 29 Oct Discussion of C A lces of succe s of the planned COUi Bundy-to-Lodge ceble givi__i g c etailed guicance -e cm -p pos -e says we have lO x - er to delay or discou --age a coup The lh 1 te House rejects lodge's vie· 1s • • • • • Lod e ti anks Washing-ten for sagacious i lstn ctic i Coup begins Cc iein goes to JGS B qs ta -es mocey - nth hi I • • • • CRITIC report o i 1 1 identifies Co eill by s ie The assassination •• • • • • ' J • · J - r · ·c · t t ' 35 35 35 36 35 n 38 38 39 39 39 iio 4-0 t 2 -3 Reca i 't'1 ' ' ••· £ i ci 'kciici' 1 i i i'_ Ji ' f · · w· •1'·• ·' J ' J f ' '6' - ii ' ' - - _ - _ ' _ ill' u rtt y $i - - - - tt iffr liAti Jfr ¾ j '-' ···tu - ·' D ' -l • ' ' - · - - -c · - · - --x - - - _ - - _- ·- ---r7 f ··· r · T i j _· t · -· - _ • · -· ·• •c 1 · - • f j i✓r 1 r ✓- _ 'e t _ ci' _ _' jj i i t h J c f i Li jµI 4 ji l1 j · · · Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 · · ·· · · · • · ·' ·' - ' ··• · ' · • t ' • if J t-1 '·· - q 1ote bear directly on t le coup it - cli' • Ye i L ed o e t lat I cay seei i irrelevant because they illt inate the atmosphere in vhicll U S Gover ent policy decisions vere reached -t r ·• · - ·· 1 -i · · 4 inquiry Willia Colby Chief of fl Divi ion at the tice a id nov Job U cbardso l Chief of Station du the coup plotti u August 1963 lll d David mith Acting Chief of Station at t te til le ot the coup assassination of November 1963 • ch assured us that he knew ot no CIA assasslll ltion sc te es against ptem--other than the role played by CIA in maillta1o1 g contacts b-J direction vith • t the Vietnamese genel llls J' aey ot the doCU llents upon which this report 1s based are 'tE if S• ·• _ - ·' - · ' · _·c1a sU'ied TOP SEX RET Since the report is bei IJg delivered •·1 personally and · '' in one 'PY have chosen not to subject it to the extet al accountabilit cc 'ltrols ttai are entailed i n fit y a TOP SECP3T cbssif1cat1cc l 1 -tic1 A On the following page is a list of U S Gove n i ent of'fi cials vhose nx es are i entic ed in t te report togetl e ' vi th the position l 14-00000 · · • • -_ •• J I • '-•-· - · · Dea 1 Rusk Secretary of State George W Ball I Under Secre -y of State Averell Ea rri lan L'x er Secreta -f of State for Political Afrairs i' i r Roger - Joseph A Menden Jall J E1 J r ti1 - · Hil UN Adviser Bureau of 'ar East ern'Aff'airs f· dz 0- Frederick E Nolt ig A ibassador left Saigon 16 Augus 1963 lienry Cabot wdge A Jbassador arr Saigcn 23 AugusJ 1963 Villlam C Truehart 004 ·ftobert Secretary of' Defense· Mc '8 nara Rosvell Gilpatric Cbair an Joi lt Chiefs of · y rlDSurge•cT ·-'' Adm Harry- D Felt Chier of Staff 1-IACV John McCone Director cf Central Intelligen e Gen Mo rs all Carter DDCI John Richardscm D vid R Seith Vill l I Colby ·-- ·- - --- · ---- · ••• - 1- --- _- ·•-· · -- • 5 October 1963 CL Chief of Stntio U ltil · CIA Acting ccs af r fi 'tJ J t- ' ' -- - - · · · Deputy Director for Plans · - · - - · · · h l· t · ·- 5 October i96i · · Chi f FE Divisio i ' _ - · · 1f _ -' · r4 1 - r- Gen Ricbard G Weede I - J JCS o ii' c if ' •fi 4Jt J Specialist' Cc mar der MAC' • _ f ¾ 2 · · - 1-· · · starr Gen Pau1 D Harkins Richard Eel ms i C Deputy Sec -etary of Defense Gen Maxwell Taylor _ _ __ T Af s st ant c- -etarJ of State for Far Eastern A ' 'ai -s ' • i' t ' F 14-oo_eo ·•• ' -_ ' Approved for R lease 024 0 0 ops6627ff r- - '· T iis report ·on CL and U S • Gove m ent i rolve lf nt in the coup_ consists of a ciu'c lOlogical ll tl g of event - act cms and deliberations having to do with Vietnam T le report is dn·r 1 t rely 'r - c itary souree eiiller by quoting selectively or by summartzir g 51 n i fi cant overt h lppen gs -Ying ring _on · offictai actic are inclwled a veekJ r digest t he ch roncilcgy of vorld news vas used as the 60' irt e for these I historical ever t Also 1 i icluded a -e- a fev- excerpts frcX J l-' arguertte' · B1gg f ns' book Our Vietnam Ugbtmare to demonstr at e tl e extent to lhich some once-classi fied 1 nf'o mation is now cCl Zllon knowledge • All dates are 1n 19o3 • ·• '- 8 May - - ii '·· • -- -- _•· •- - - - _· _·_ _· _ _ · _ · · •· Riots eropted 10 July in Hue 14-00000 · ' i --·· ' •• · • ·• • · 1 g¥ rg · - · _ _· ·- ·•· -- ' t ·--- •' f· ' _-_ · _ • · f f r · · - tr I 0 1 ttr- t•'' ··· Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 t ' Lt · · · i- _ ' _ · ·' - ·-· • · • · _•· '· · -_ · - ·• ·_s · L · _ _i r· · - • t_ · i ·J- · l-• _ f - ·· ·• _ ·· _ •· • • _ •·· · ' ··_ _ _·- -•- · · · · ·· - '_ ·· ' · i _' - ' · · - i f _- l _ _ • · _J · ' --· _· i - _ · · · ·· · ' · '·' · ·· · · ·· _ - • _ ' • _- · · • · - · l • · · ·· • • _ · -· ' · · _ • _·· l · ·_ • i·•· ···· ·-·_ _ · _·_ ·_ _· ' •·· ' · _ ··· ·_ ·· · · _- - • '• · ··' · ' ··•_ - ·· · ·_· ·· ' · •·· ·· • · · i '-· -- - ---- ·_' - - - - -- - _ · ··-- IC C ' ' • · f § il1 t i 1 '1 · · - - ' - ' · ··· • tj • ' 1 -- - • i f the coc ni t ent he i a 1 11 a e o the B- dlbUs dl o -- ers ·-·111 p -c2·01y i'lare ugain and he c 'uinces of a co• p or assa sinatic 1 att p a 6 linst hi a vill becc ie eve i better • • We c o not thi u • the Cc nuct-sts• · 1oulu r e es arily pro i t ii' he • e e o ver hr r- r i · bY s x e · · · _ ·k ·•··· ·· · ---·· · '· · co bination of his non-Cc unist ·oppor ents A no i-'Co unist uccessor - re i e might be initially less effective against t e Viet Co o but given continued support f i the US could provide reasonably effective le idership for gove '- ie lt and tile war effort rg · 1 f - • - - l ·•· ··'· f • · • - ··· · · - tile 14 August -- r C• 1l 'nt Int a 11 igence l-1 110 'lr dum - -·· J ·fl OCI No 2339 63 - t· _ lf -· CO' lll r i P1l r o s in South Vietr E i' C ' i' i The coup reports a d ru nors vhich have arisen since the· e ddhist cr sis see · to reflect so le serio11s ccup plotti ig • •o o ed P oning by aoy group to ' ili _i _• •• 21 August ' J ' South Vietnamese· troops and police attacke1i and occupied Buddhist pagodas throughout the country • Diem imposed nation-wide martial la r · _' - ' _ _ l _' Preside itial Meeting on Vietnam - C FE _ •_' - _ · ' - ' c ·-· · - - CIA 1 13rticipants -t8 Record by C F rec0111 1ended that ve continue to provide asylum i'or the iij • - -l• _tvobon es _Buddhiat moTJky until Lodge _ _ _ -_- _l_ ' f _ _ _ - -· arrives and revievs _ J DCI DDP1 · -' A ' -_ s 'e «c ' · ''- p Mr 'Ball i • · _• • i' - i · _ •a''' - A --t · · ' · · · --· 'F t· ' ' the i iatter ·i·•-- It vas agreed that off'icial channels should not ce made available i'or trans itting press dispatches by American reporters in Saigon On the ' matter oi' possible· alternate leaders' rlp in Vietn3I it vas po cted out t ' i-i S' j - 'J 1 • f 1 £ _' - • '• ·· · · ·• - -7 · ' - · ii- i '· c· • 9 ' ¢ X ' · 21 A l lst co 1ti ued · B _· - '' '· • - - - - i•''' 'c'' c ' Current· itclUg nce a iorandu f ·'cl in Sou- 'iier '2 1 1 I ·• · · j l OCI · m 2341 63 ---· c p R rs_ -I- p4 I - -' ' d • Additional reports o plotting against the Diem gove nt ha• e been rec ehed While there is no herd eYidence of 1 ii ect act o i tee Bt ddlust lss- e co iti nues to al- e t e situatic 1 3r 6 a rous ·· i - i i · _fr I · • li on Sta t1o i' s Cll - -o ol cgy of A1 4 -ust 1963 Col ll Acti rt tieli f- At a ceeti g bet- reen Conei ll an officer or the CIA Saic - m St at10 7 and General Don tbe lat4 er asked for US Government assumnces of support for moves against t ne Diem rcgill e I •- - t• -c _ i l id 22 August CIA cable to Saigon DIR 63334 - - Ref Dept telegram in process R ftel vhich Hqs not yet seen st ates basic line to be taken and directs it be pushed at all le- -els Hilsman req1 ested Hqs send ccmpanion telegram to - atic i il l i lg•• out that this is one tec lmiqt e to bring about surfacing of - - -e e and vho real is • Pressing this line can max 1mlze possibilit of obtai n1ng US objective Even if it does not succeed it C8 1 substantially assist in identification of alternate or successor leadership vith ne ssary·drive abilities and ambition to 1 1 or- porate in our overall conti go--ncy pJ rnn ing and serve as 1'0 1 Js o buildup program Hqs ·vill ccr ment in f'urtter detail after seei lg message i f necessary but passes above at· Rils an's req1 -est 0 CIA cable froo Sai m SAIG 02G8 Q Chief of Station J l l Ricbardson for -ards his personal v evs re altenl3 te leadership • • • • • Recent even have cade us feel okM -- - f • 1 ' lc v- ·' _ · • fi'I ·---- -- c C2•'J 20 ' lfiiz c_' di11 i W' I 4-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 · · --' r i 'l v1 un 12 li3tic ' olu i z- e s eve co -e i 7 -- b ' l e t sn ever be cre Wo1 ld ar '€ar t f 7 - e sll ave e tt e _- - 1 s - ilit 3 ' j ta View tirr e i'ac -c 1' ave ct cc - i - 3 eC th is e - a e - h E n C ssy b 1t -we have exchanzed v1e 1s fully 0 1 se iject a 7-tcY- August Mr Harri called 1-1 - Rel ms just ·cefore 20CO hou -s nnd outlined to bi tl e su lstan e of vhat eventually tu -ned out to ---Deptel 243 to Saigon To Eel Ds qi erJ Harrt an confin ietl tb it tl e thrust of tile t legra n contained a 1 i plic lt pu i 1 out of ertcan for es and support if tee lfaus' we re not ousted • ii urri an said that the message had· bee i clee ed with r -a lllispo -t with t e Secretary - ·• of' State and Yith Mr Gilpatric • State telegra i to Sai 6 in De_ptel 2' 3 Tb e Depart ient info -ms tl e knbassac or that the US government cannot tolerate a situation 1 t which po· -er lies in f c u's h2 nds If' Diem is umri 1 1 i i g to rid himself cf fnu then Diem hil Jself' may have to go The knbas c ador is e •1tilorized egainst Buddhists oust ce A 1 to i f'or n t e GVN that actions i d_res ed 2 t tell ey miliUJ ry Jeade -s that the tr G ca ot · s1 1 90rt a Diem re 6 ir e that inclw es the Nhu • s and that ve will give the i direct sc p port L any i 1t er p riod of brea clO' m central eoverr ent cechani i 3 to make 5tateoents in Saigon re novir g _t t ' L ··1 - L t ' '• ' - - Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 •• · · ' · - · • • ' •• • o-• • •• ' • a'A •• - ' • _ ·-e - - · 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 _ - - ' -- 1· 1 LL - · ' • 1· rollo ing s tezent ✓ I · T '1 e Ar icassado - nd cm itr __ chou1d 7 e ltlY eY a' lJ e W possib e a ' -· · -e c2 c ersh p nd 3 e detziled plans as to Ccr 1 - 'bri 5 2 out Die-'s -eul3 2er - ent i - · s s ould becc e nec es2r ' ou 'Jill • · -i erstarul that ' ff c ' lt fro i - -lc s O i 0 1 gi•v-e ou C el iLod i c 5 r-t ucticn s as to he is Of£ ratia t t culd proceed b 1t you ill also kni n we will co ck -ou to the ci t on actio is y iu take to a b ieve our object ' es 25 Au rust Caole frc n Ililsma 11 to I vd -e personal seat via CL c hanuels Drn 63d5L J l it State cable sent separately rep -esentc agoniz i lg at hlg est levalc Cou -ze o- it ed is a ' ge -ou but all agree tbB t deb cl ear cut US st2 d is even re d a erous It lOn't be easy - or you but be ass red · 1e vill back rou all the way Ca ent narrative and s is a good point iru ert at I i r1hich to break t 'le a series o f excerpts f'ram Marguerite filggins' book crucial act -1 th its overtones of Greek tragedy opened nt '1 a cable It ms diqJUtched to Saigon late in t ie eve of A igust 24 1963 a ate made more signif'icant because it was a Satu y wasbi g n i suslly empties on s er _-eeke lds or lapses in a s _ --- olent r ood as of' fi ia ls desJ €rately see relaxation The te co itai ed spectaci llar Gev i structi0 13 ' 'o t e U S embassy •·in Saigon I7 - --as d ' a• m up at a meeting caJied by Under-secre t ar r of Sta t e Averell ib rri nan 2 d Roger Hils an Assistant s _ ' ta -J of State fo - Far Easter 1 affairs a id e3Q of the Vietnam task force The Presic ent's senior advisers ere for 1 i ' - · 'i I - 5 I t _ _ _ - I l ------- -'-'- · · ·- l - - • J - - Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 ' i setDe ' a ·7 - ' j1 r21 - -0- 2 · n- o ' i i' s c ' l · - - - - - - - c ·e 1 ___ -· · ·t 2 siti 1t - ' e l -2 s t ii_y-9 · i Cc 't C ' ·2 l ' · ·tlor se y3 ' e - i ' - r· t 2 -- - - t 3 - 1 it s c ' 'lo r 1 t e i r - - - I - g ve the sig a l to 't leesh' t e V et e ni i tarJ fl sb e1 2 g en 1 f2 --or the cJ· p 3 _ Di• o -- 1i O - - e gr--r e - tall_ · r o 2 1 - ea -s 0 I ·_ - k f t it 11 t ½ e r able of A1 45i s 24 · rds a sdical revision of t e J -evious phil_osopily oi' c 1e ar a tme It envisaged t e ge 1erals • ca -ar on tl ei - c - goYer ent a ad · ri th tr e b ilicit blessing of tt e United Staws T'ne substance of the csbl e • -as that the U S e ioass r · ras to r a1 e Hn effo--t to pers1 ade Die n t fire hls brother release t e Ludd hist rebels e p es3 ce orsbip ar-C estor-e ot er dezocnti- liC-e ies s spe cl ed 1·- -r cartial L' t kid if ar t e cable anticipated Die -ould no do these things then the e b ssy was to contact tee Viet ese ger e als 1nd tell_ t e i that tt e United States would no longer stand i n the - --ay of a re'lolt • I ' • the controversial August 24 cable vas dispatched fra i Washington Saturday eve l ing after being cryptically zi arized to Preside lt Kennedy at the s' e - ' fnite Es use at liya mis Port The e cting SecretarJ of refe ise Ros- ell Gilpatric • • had the cable described to him over the teiephone Mr Gilpatric says he was frankly sur i sed teat such an i J lpori 3 nt set of instructions sb ould be rushed out on a - eeke J d But he did i ot f l that e qught to veto the telegr2 n since • • • it bad the 'approval of e P -esident ' In McCo 1e's absen t ' e c Ole ra s described e sain cr-yptically to Ric rd Eel ms c e u y director of the CIA ho also iid 1ot feel disposed t o · eto sci et l ir g 'appro7ed by the President ' l ' jL - 6 - 1 I I I l · -- _ _ - ··•· -· - - -- - • _ •• i t' '-J --'··· 1 ' t ' ' t 'tJ· I ·'· Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 '· 'i ' t l - 1t - • vv J I ··rr- CLl cnble to i DIR 63355 FYI CIJ not· consulted -e cable eh se ' lt se '°re tely which hCY Jever cleared at est level · I cirC r stances believe CIA c st fully a cept di -ectives o policy re kers u d e - t i ays acccmpli lh o jectives tbey see-k While S ve not een exact text understand i t invites Ind ge fi l jud ie c t • • • • e r i r- present course of action appears to be th rcr r g a• ray b i -1 i l cefo re e adequately identi f ied bi tls i l busb a - _- s tJ ey r ay 'Y n u5 suggest a real arch f8 - ccu es of' a t r 11- __ rci u LJ uptio c3 Dl o bands at same time as taking positive s-tar d rather th3 n -waiting for situation to clarify at • hich point- prob ably able to affect it This boils dCY m to i --eeki g same mi ld l e ground for at least interim period • • • • • - _ _ _ _ di ✓ CLA cable from Saigo c SAIG 0291 Chief of qtatian Richardson reports that General Khanh requested e n immediate meeting vith Spera Jj n officer of the CIA Saigon Statio 7 At the meeting Kbailh requested assurances that the U S Gover ent 'WOUld support the Viet a nese a y if 1 t should move against the Diem Regime CIA cable fn ' l Salgon SAI 0296 Richardson reports the results o-f a con 'erence eoong Ambassador Lodge DCM Truer art Ger eral Ea r kin Ge ral tleede end Ricl ardson ·- The groi agreed that givl g Die n an option ad no dunce o f success j I They accepted Deptel 24-3 · - jjf 24 A 1si7 as a basic decision fro n i · · Washington and ·Jould proceed to d thei -- best to C J rrJ out inst ructions i r- I - 1 - 1 l - ··- l '' i • I' _ • • ·•t · ' -' t ·---- r- Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 • · '4- - • -boooo Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 • _- -• - - F_ _ t r reg wes r ·· 0 1 Staff - o nc' ' l H 0-63 I iter i_ il 018 n or -- in fu y- 1 ✓ CIJ Disc rfou1 ion C On calance e believe ti-' e best i pe for t ie preservation f U3 interest ll ll l attai ent oi· US objectives in South Vietru i m lies in t e suffic ent I Jilita · su p ort to obviate p Olon ed ci7il war Such a group lif bt not p -ove able to salvage tl e si-t1 ation a id indeed might eventui ll r prove no bette i · tnan the present -egi ce Such a dev-elop i ent vould ho ever enable t2c US a d 22ti-Ccc list ionalist le ents to make a fresh start unenci nbered and ampered oy 9oli ti cal errc -s of' past yea -s months and wee s In s- ch i f -es 1 start e oelieve lies the o tly viable hope for tr e attaiD lent or US interest a id ol ijecti ve s i l South Viet a n _ Ambassador Lodge _ i r ·esented iis credentials to South Viett B llese President Ugo Dinh Dien ' 1 l JJ• fuesidential Meeticg oo VieOea --✓ v' V Record oy CIA partidpe ots DllCI DDI'• DDP The question ves raised ' S to vhether there had been such a signii'ica lt c '1 E n -e in tee Vietnam sikation that it really appeared _ ' desirable to d mp the points discussed e e ·- mrn' s and possibly Diem hil Jself' Princ pal A inl Felt' s co icern ove the dangers u -· inhere it in the urrent U3 action in South Viet 1ac the fact that Lodge had not seen Dier i to discuss the future role of the Ilhu' s l - · - 8 - ·· -· · A p o· d f r Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 ••-•·• A - 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 ' the n e211ing o ' the p lra e in B Ftel 243 the uestion of li to lfta - r I t successio l and _vh e t vould t ien if the t tion t en o-rer t le wee end fail ed I The reside asked for a other -- ------------------------------ ------_ _ _____ ____ session on August 27 vit partici ts to present biographic data on key · sv r perso ities and a corrtinge c r pl 3 n for t e succe sicn CIA cable from Saigo i S UG 0304 Richard son reports tczt the A _7 ba sadcr dcci that the Ar ericall i ·cf·· official hand should oot shov in the op ration It va s agreed that Conein would see Kh ec and that Spera wald see Khs nh Ccnein and Spera verev directed to conYey the substance of Dep'tel 24J plus this co nt e cannot be state 9f any help during initial action of essu ing po- er or I Entirely their ovn a ction 1 win or lose CIA cabl e 1 -om Saigon SAIG 0330 Richardson reports the results of the Conein S era approaches to the generals In essence Klla nh said he was not et re y and Kh said he would have to check '-'tth 27 August J President12 l 1- eeting C Vietnai 1 Record by C c FE CIA pa -tici DDCI IEP V The President stated that a c u stould not be tte ited unless it '· '-' - · '-1-1 • t '·•c vould be successful and asked vhether we could turn bs ck at this point II I l I I I i - 9 - n J J y ti_ I · t g • I' ••_· - l I t •'_ I t Approved for R I 2024 08 05 C00566276 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 · ' • 1 • J _ 'f ' I i-1· i e sking t f t ey still a eed ith ti eir concurrce - c- 3 to D tel 21 3 txs 1 nation of report to date gives co si c era ile hc e b 1t leaves u - ns ered cues tions Proceec 1 fro i t -' cc 11 ept rn f- 1-i orl _ _ _ _ -- f o - - -Y _ _ -r - - '---PJ a 1 -' l Z r - -• UU L L-t -- J J •• u'e u ·r n- -o-----1 •-0 S _ •ru ur • -' - _• -· --4- _ _ __ - - c -pp --elsul of present pros_pects JL· z est 2 utr'10 -i ty - E§irk lSi i _xg_1c i - _ µ J 1 z_ f'nvor g -gQ l Z S e•- cotl ·r _ i 1 _ ed bL P- r - l - liS to l7e all po33ible r n 2 ort i a best a o 2 luble cour 3e tut uot to in 3ist on any dee is ion that develo pl 1 6 e· tdence r w kes it ise to di 'y J llf't et I I 28 k tg st ' CIA cable f'roc Saigon SAIG 0363 Richardson reports that Situation here hs s re c ed roint or no return • • • • • Unles3 the generals are e trcLl i ed befcre ei g able to launeil their o perations -e believe t iey - rill act a t 1 clt they have good chac- e to win • • • • • • ' e e 11 ·- le -sta d ti- 3 t tte ef' fort must succeed a d th t whatever need to ' dqg Q J R' part ms£ be done • • • • • • Presidential l-'eeti 2 g on Vietna n C FE Reco oy C E CIA pa rtkipants D X I DDP The Presid_sn t i 9 uired i nto the status of' EE pla r s -d vas tg d thst these we e • ell -orkcd cut State De t parti i ts had nu obligations to then and th i t we r- r at _in vi th Die an i 11 i - - I - 10 - L ' ' - _ it r • App ved for Rei°eas 2024 08 05 C00566276 61 14- Q000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 • 'J • · 1 - f l oltiq exprezsed hls ccn rictio th3 t Dieci is t ' e c an whi Ca - ln Sc uth Vietn in a-ry fashion to perru t a co 'lti us nce of the var effort believed we should r ake P r Other try to keep Die dis ig 'eed 'With hi i Ee Harri l ' O directly T' e President d irected tl at a telegr - be pre_pa ed to sen l to Lodge ani Harkins as i t ei - viev of t C e c ces of success expressing concern over the un favorc bl e ratio cf forces d inviting their suggesticU i as to how e could blcr- ase their pos a'ibilities NSC 'Executive Corz -J ttee -lf eti -ig on ·11etn3 ' l idcntitied Recor l by DD • CIA i 3 ' inants lot The President oet privately with usk 1 a T iylor and G€-Jre e Bu ldy He rep i ted to the rest of the Co rl ttee el that three telegrazs were being sent to Saigon a personal cessage to IDdge f'ro n the President a gc-neral message from the Depart ent to the Ambassador and a telegram ficl l Taylor to Harkins Telegi -- frmt 'l ayl o to Harkins JCS 3368-63 a n t white Io- ise eting on subject scheduled for 1200 28 Aug ist EIJr your vievs urgently neede l on_ overall fee sibility of operatio con ecplated • • • • • Fil State to Seigon 2u3 as vithcut DJD or JCS p artici_pation imt a -ities are no- r 2 - i g seccr d thf ou4Ji1 s •'· V'LV if --- - -- - ll f r t i -'' __p 1 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 - 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 At 0745 hours Ric a - ison Spera ar d Conein latter t- o of' who were sc eduled to cc rn act Generals Hinh and Khie i at 0S15 sa e mo ' li 3 ere s ' c· rn a 1 es32 s froo Ger e al Tc ylor to Ge e al E e rkins stati ig aspects of Vl t 1a i sit 1at c ei re' i eW'ed at Whi' e Hcuse a - d co r enting that second t lau3 1t a -1ere Ge6'-i ng i hington Faced •nit b this ini'o tion ar i given st -ic- l r 1-in ited tir e fo c tors ich 5on decided that the ceeti wit C--er era j 1-li l 'l a 2d QiiE i sioul not be r ostponet l Lut th t C'Jute-cti '6 of'flce1 ·s woulJ EU 1 ' - e thls 1 fac-t f'lnd ufssTon Yithout e - aging 0r q_isccniragi ig Ger ernl Hn li 11 - - c c - When Spera and Coneb returned from their II eeting with Khiem and l in 1-i -we prcce ed to 'I' ' e e t' oi'r ce to -2 ke our repc·rt The Ambassador ca e in and Richardson advised J-ii r 1 of our r eeti c g vith General We de cf 'I'c1ylor' s caol d of the decis o s whi i Rictardsoµ had e as a result cf t Je T ylor cable Lodge ms B ' ' r f a d exp -essed the viev that Ric w rd son's decision had de troyed the possibilities o f ce rryir g cut a ccup Richardson eA--presse a f'ir n I it' I l dissenting opinion '' ' _ RSC Execut - re Coc rlttee 1 eti lg on Vietna I not identified Recor Jy DiJ CIA p cu-tkipant· _ T ne consensus vas tr at E arld ns should con1'ir l to the ge eral s that the approaches from CIA 1 ere bona t'ide ar d represented the views of the US govern ent The re vas agreeJI ent that better in f'orza tic i va s needed on vbat the generals vere in fact planning to do and whet er it va s ' I lil itaril_y feasible A telegram giving the sense of the meeting was dra f'ted for Presidential approval 12 • • _ J Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 • • 4 • • • ' ' • • 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 ·· ty V e -' s ' c e t ia l 1- c ttir_ $ on Yiet' il l C U p-3 rtici a 'l ts DU 1 C 2 ecnr· i t· y C ' ™' D Cit - P- 1s refe rred to recent cable traf t c and said that he ras not ✓v even su e whom e were d e wit er • 1h c l t __hey • e re ple l 1 i g c i a pointed out there vaa some cr i- cstion ii ether the generals ever -- -- did hs -e a plan - Eu ldy said he had re-rea d the earlier traffic and noted that they never said tiL 'Y did Gen Carter sb ic he believed that ------ the g eral ' s coup vas not likely at t 3 stage and that in another veek we wlll be approx 1 mately where ve were before the attack on the 1 _ · Buddhist temples Bun suggested ve CO Sic er e dditiona l contingencies be fore the gro g_ and whether the assui tion that Ifuu is il r'- ossible is well founded I 31 August ' I l Saigon Station's chronology o f J ugu st 1963 coup activities nGener l ffarv J is van autnorized to eet vi th Kh iei to give Khiem assurruices or' USG ba cki Khie i stcvP d a reluctance to talk and suggested that Earkinz meet --ith C-€ e -31 Minh Khiem co nted that M ic 1 b a d called off the pl a m ir g P tl ·-·e s vcrk g on other methods which Kb iei would D t describe K uen r --ther stated that the generals vere not ready as they did not have e c forces under their ontrol Harkins c ecided not to give Khie assura es vhich he had been authorized to ii xpart Lodge ap-pro red Ea -ki s' c i sia on 31 l- 1 zu t e f'ter R rkins reported l ' I ' 1 - l 3 - J _ - - Approved fo R lea e 2024 08 05 C00566276 -- - · ·· 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 ' ' __ j I 1 3 z 5t contin ed i _ v - e P - 12 i lent n2_ - et E i o jc r -- i tLi C ' 3 - - - i b C CJ4 c rti cip _ J ts DI CI l sit·u atii in r a de us thi i of a ccu a d what Jight be done to· i pro e co ditic s in Viet a 1 - Haca ra ug ested t e fi -st req_1 J irel e lt reestablis nt of cc cica tion bet een Lodge ar d Ra r i • 1as Rask directed that a telegra i be prel a red for Saigon 08 1 ing suggestions as lo Mt e nl3ht a 5k tb e GVrl to do C nief FE who participated in the eeti s of late Aur p ist in a or dur i fc - rial er l ier provided t lis s v di ffer n 'iOSitio s t e or In the c 1 cussiollS u· 1 -ing the pa st veek the position or the Department of State led by Ea 11 Harriman and liilsr an was that the Die 1-lfou government had do ble-crossed the US Governr e l t because cf the attack on the pagodas and that US obligations to the gover-r- nt vere no lor e er valid urtter that a governzient so discredited cculd not conduct successfully the war in Vietn3 ll ar d vould prove an undesirable liability to the US Gover i nent elsevhere in Asia Because of these roral lilitary 8 d political conclusions the Department reco ecded that it i ust give all support to a group of' gerrerals v'- o all egedly vere disaffected to the poi l t that a clear indication of US ·action was the only i g -edient lacking for them to push over a discredited unpopular a ld weak Die n go7e - nt •· -· ' T'ne x sition of' ti e e ia rt ent of Defense va s that while it deplored the se1c sational aspects of the Budd '1 ist situation it· nonetheless felt that an effort should be co l tinued to deal with Die s d try to b ir13 about a CG _pro ise a d at the s2 ie ti e to keep i i touch with t e ener i s a - d support the coup eff'orts if this p -oved to be the only tlterna ti•re le i t ' Ihls was essentially tee view of Ge eral Harkins and of Arnbassdor lloltir g This was considered by the DepartllEnt of State to be P foot-drag_2 ing and · eak position i ' f ·t • _- ··ri r J i A· r -edf r Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 4-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 •- -' - - _ __ '_ - ··· --- r-- ' f -- The PresiCe it vie-•eC tbe Stn te D _r -tr e-r t ' s ositio 1 lith comide -3 ' Jle res rve cut -as · -illi g to explcre the coup itle3 i'urt er He e 2d the Attor 1 ey Gene -tl as veil - CL' 1 ere ap cntly appalled at the sr 2ed vita vhic 1 t 1e State ecisio i as reached on i turday afterr oon 21 ug I St 1 felt tha r ore thought 2r 3 1y i d preparation should have p 'eceded tne instructio l to Ledge 31 igust co ti r ed CIA cable f' 'om Saigon SAIG 0499j c ••• ' Ihis palj i cc-yr i is f 'l t _ C eraLs d id not feel rPady a id die nat have suff1 cient bal ance of forces • • • • • • Ther l ttle doubt that GVZt eva -e U3 role end may have consic erable detail 2 Septei lber CIA cable from Saigon SAIG 0523 _ ··• Richardson cabled a da ge assesszrent Ire concluded that Diem and I the Nhu' s are f'u1ly e rere that the USG encouraged the generals to attempt a coup and that CIA ment He judged there 'lffiS -as an even possibility that all ajar progra is coul d go fon--a rd as- in the past I the instnmentality of this encourage- I l i C--- He l istep as a r iajor dilemma the Station I s future relatiO shlps vi th Col ' i'un§ He noted his dissatis- f'e ction vith Ttmg as a GYii liaison n licle tbro'clgb vhlch to cc nduct F -I - - _-- prograi s but noted that t e GVN had offered no nlterna tive were villl lg to disco r i rJ e mu· Irnr Unless we ii Laos border and cross-border p -O ™z t _ - 1 l I ve I IUst continue to o -k ith ' l' u g I - 15 I f ' -· · -•# -- - 14-00000' ' - - i r_ - · - ' ·· · - -· · · · ·' · r·- · 1 ·••l· t - 1·1 • I -• L - ·• •«•c i · The Tines cf Vletna i rublis - ad c 3 0 es that the CIA we plott ng ' ' itii • -_ - • -1 and fi la lcillg a coup a cl vas giving asylu to the chief' anti-Diem Buddhist leader • The storJ 'llas picked up a d llidel y played by tee York Daily revs the ChiCBJsO Tr btl le Baltii ore Sun imd ot ler l· prom ient nevspapers ' 6 September · • - 1•· n es1dent1al - eei on Vietna r i CIA particina nts DDP C F DDP C FE cord b Eu sk stresfed the iir ediate need f'or direct contact betveen Lodge and Diei i to Bundy pc 1nted out the necessity of' adviclllg Lodge cot have a real shov-dovn vith Die i over mm at this f'orthcoming cieeting es -one of' Lodge's cahles indicated he va s headed very much in thiG · JyM¾l l _ 16 - __- ' ' - ' ·t · - SEGrJT- i'· ' J t•· · · · _ ' __ · ' y s - · · _t- · - ' r ti t · ·' -1 _• ' Y ''· •a' - iv - · tiit ·tir Y i ··· · 1f-t' t i J¥ ii t t t 1-rJ • fi¥ ·i it f '1ic · f 1· ' i t i P - - ·i' t 1i'fi r 1'i' f- j J irlt rt f 1 ef - ' ' t ti i 1 tit i J ii1 ti i1 iti f 4 t ii J J ' - -_ ___ - - _ 'Wtre sern ces· e id pro i e lt nevs p s ca i a story t'liat Special Forces troops vho raided the pegoda i on 2l j J l e-U St vere still bei paid secretly ·by CIA ·'This story was attrib- rt ed to a reliable source in Washington ac d g i ve deta ils Tung in the w xnmt of S P'P rt Ii - to Col -· $3 llLlllion anrn aJJy aI d a pa y ent of $2' 0 tbou Gand on 3 SepteI lber ' The story vas datelined in wa sh iDgtcn and 1n ·lwl ila Da vid Bell warned 1n a tel erlsion inte rrtev that the US Coz gress might cut back aid to South Vietnam unless the Die i governcent changed its policies Comment Tile U S Goverment publicly con f'imed on 8 October 1963 tbat aid bad already been cut quieUy over a period of same months r • and Dave Smith each told 1 5 and Bill Colby Jocko Rlct ar isa 1 _ that the public aJ ClOUnce ient of the aid reduction vas a sig ial to the gel enlls and that the reduction -was plamled vi th that in mind It ay be that t he cut in aid -as deliberatei i planned to spur generals en but if so that intention d d not record find its · -ay in the vri t te i The nearest thing to it is in the reco d of a P -eside i tial n eeting of 10 September 9o3- - 17 - 7 14-00666 ·· _ uggested c t ing a to Colo iel - o h ch 'lo-o q- be 'i'ie 'ed -•-·-' by the'·'C- nerals vi ou h _enthusias r and as an in1ii at1cn of _a vigorous A ierica i si tion In general tb ou aid cuts vere dL cussed in e s of bringing p -essure on Die n Lo needed cl a iges i l hl i regime Ho ever p or bo'Jever l_ooked upon by the U S ad ninistrat ion it is clear that the VietDamese general s considered the official confirmation of aid cuts a 1 a clear to n- of U S support of their coup pl a J ling Spera and Cone in ie' Ji th CeZ erals Mbh er d lG liem on 29 August The f'ollcr nng are ex erpts from the cabled report of t be meeting SAIG o4oo r- 'USA no- really ready take different position generals V t fir i evice ice to that effect • • • • • • Queried as to what we can c o to show ve cean busi less Millh• flatly stated stop econom_ic aid to force Nhuto shov his h pld J The suspension of aid did not force Diem and li' iu to mend their vays t it did _create an atmosphere that made it easier for • generals to asse ible the 1 11litary support needed for a ·· t··· succe ssf'ul 'coup l i ' '·· - · - ---·r· l- ·lI i J - ·· _ ___ -----• I · o - 1 ' t -'f'iVi - · '-- - - c •J i ' kk _ - _ --' 2 f ' '' •·_- ' ' - J Kt - ·_ ' ' - ' - ' ' _w· V 1 i • c _ 1a· - ' _ c - • i l• · 14--00000 ··· ·'· ' - 10 Se te lber In ao i ite -rl e- i b Huntley end Brlnlley t e P resid 0 nt denied the cl arge tl at CIA cakes its o- m policy CIA cable f O l Saigo l SAIG· 07c0 AI J incll ' ed to feel gec ersl o 'ficers ili ll seek evolut o -a -7 acccc nodatio i wit l Die i if' he peI llits them to do so unless overall si t- ation clearl deteriors tes there is breakdo-m of ci Yil o -cer or g0Yen e11tal i a C liner or unless var ei'fort egi ls to go ba ckvard seriously • • • • • • Despite c a riages suffered since 8 May and 21 August am incli' led to believe we should be able resume successful prosecution of o-ar in mill tary and civil sections • • • Do not al ig myseli - nt J the view that Ul G should u id aid • • • • • • Presidentbl e-eq ' S Record by C E V'ietnE I CIA pa -tid pants j c rt DCI C FE • 1 - · I ' 3en Krulak reported his findings 1 c Vietnam His conclusions - • ' 1 __ - _-c p 1 r · '- ¢ vere tbat the war is going ahead at an impressive pace and that t J e Viet Cong var vill be von if current US militaey and sociological· programs are continued - · acccmpanied Kruhk expressed the viev t ba t there was a C01 1Plete breakdown of the Saigon civilian govern i ent and the security situation in --- The President asked whether the gentle llen had-visited the same countr l Rusk suggested that the focus be on vhat happelled in July and August that reversed the opti listic Juc g ents in May and June Mr McCone telked frcm a perso al te legra n · f t t' c • i ·' ft tf t1 0 -i • -W -- ••--- ✓-- • - • • • - - - - • - • - • • •· _ _ • _ r • •• • •• •' · _ Mendenhall the State representative who the provinces had· deteriorated ---- _ - _'_ _' · - ·i _ - _· __ 14-80000 · - - · _ ' - • - L _- _ - __ ' ··• -- u '_·---- - t i4 - j jp -·· CIA participant s coorclimite press guidance and to control outgoing iressages to Saigon He em_pbasiz ed the il Jporta lce of folio _ t 1e President's g Ji b ace on this delicate Vietnam problem _despite intensely differi lg views es to what should be d11ne ho11 tb e risks mi nmum objectives and the facts McY- mra stated this position ws 7i6 orously against throwing out · this goveniment vithout seeing an alternative and that none appeared to exist Mr cCone co ce ited that the problem· 'lo-as not so ouch the existence of an elter iative as hov to put one into pcn er Bundy- - lrulDllarized the P -esident's position as one in which -ve must-express our reservations as to ·the mistakes end c isdeeds of Diem but not be 1n a position vhere ve cannot deal with bi 11 further CIA cable from 5aigon SAIG 0797 Richardson reported that the count -y team attempted to agree on a six-page sumnary cable to ans- rer n cable f'rom the De_part ient requesti V views The tea ws le to 23 -ee ev i the summary 0 1 the f'irst three pages of Veede and RiC lardson dissented on the basis tl at the drnft • 14-00000 Appro ed for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276_ · ··• - '· r -- - '•-' ·-· - __ _ · - --f· •· u macy • as too sveepi an too - er iti• cc - cluili definitivel · S · about _the coi ntry as a v'hole on-an icadeq te- basis or data t- - • •-_ ' •- - '• - · ·-··• · - -· _ -· '- · ·- ·r ttt He said - - - - --- -' _ ff i- iit i t 'i ain 'so e s ve see n to have rea d tl _poi lt i i of ficial A ertr an _ - · _ ' CC lunity that if' you think JI can ·Jin vlth present government you i· are _ pl r ot r - 1 in right direction - 1th ajorlty St11te tcle3I'8 m 'ro D Saizon Io 478 'l rtrco I I ''My best estimate of' the current situation in Vietna m is a that it 1s worsening rapidly b that the til e has arrived f'or the US to use vhat effective sanctions it ha5 to b -1 g about the fall of ti e existil lg gover ent'and e installation of another and cYt at · · 1ntP-ns1 ve study should be ghen by the best brain5 in the governceat to all tl e det3ils procedures and varirintr 1 cor iection with tl e suspension of' aid · · - --· f i i · lt r •' - · • L6 9 on Viet · CIA- · • ·• -•1 ts DCI C ti and has not been out of Saigon I IIJ' HcNacara pointed out that Lc dge has had little·• contact vith Diem ·a 1· ·--T Mr McCone co miented that he believed J - that ve should move cautiously tJ iat ve should talk· seriously to D1e1n shoul d be urged to Visit tbe countryside to obtain a more realistic viev of' tbe effects of suspending aid • Mr McCo e also I• i suggested that another awrcach be lade to Nhu to seek his cooperation f' - ·c ' i J e Pre s i ' ' n - w asked · r ether - -e had carefully sti lled 1 n a d e pa r tu e the detailed efi'ects of cuts in aid as proposed in a paper pre-pared by H ls an J It was evident that the et·fects had not been studied · - -_ · · _ ' '- - ·l f fl i • 7'' itJ j i- t ' _ t i •jff 4 · _ Z ' -it t A i i_ - - · ·· - - 21 - - l - · - · t 1 n •'- t-li-- ' · 'i5 · • C- • _ - ---- '· - -· -' · ··•- ·i•T1 ----- -· ·-' -· r ___ ____ __ ' - · · ·_ 0t - _ - •· - J 1 ·- -_ also asked t'h it p 8 telegr i i - 1 od ge asld ig hil I to t ry to ·-' ' -Jtt J - -'·-v ·J - ' _ _ t i 1 redt ce the - ti th Die i - v· • ss leak33e i l Saigon and to establis l sc e real contact 1 • • • I • -'- · -r r J Any cu -rent p s for aid i e ptiatio is should be stalled an l the President said be saould be 1 -ell i ifo n ed of any steps taken in thi cootext--such as th i lcideat i n·1olviq CIA pay ient to Col 'l'ur g last week u· Septe nber 0- cc nti lued DSC Executive COm llittee Meeti on Vietnam Reco c by Cf CIA -participants · DCI C FE usk said he believed tc at we w-ere not likely to ·achieve a l independent Vietnam unless we could elbinate Nhu '·· At the same till e he vas not willing to say that Diec s uld go as he sa no alternative usk ca mented tba t we should work tl rough Lodge on Diem to take over real · the leader ship and beca ie the real president _M_r _M_c_c_one __s_ugg e_s_te_d_ also the desirabil ty of negotiating 1th Nhu Bundy read off a CIA f · rI £ltii - suggestion for a process of negotiatu g vi th lhu _ · I j t1te nber - ' - --- -- • ·• •--• l · · c · · - -· --· · · ·· · ·· ·· · · · · ·- ·· · 1 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276' '- · '· ' · - ·' '· ' · ·· _ · ·· '· ' · ·'· '• _ r-·t· · · 14-OO0ou · ·- • • • •' ' • - r · ·· 1 - • _ ••• r • ' ' - -'J _' 'i · Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C005662 76 i _ ft A ' · · - ' ' •· ' · L • - ' __ _ _'m C • L Z L _ _ _ -_ c ___ • i J Jlf' i1' 1 •• •· I P _ r'W f ··- J - - · r- · · '· • asst 'ances I in u L-ed had z bassador r ade- such proposal tc Washington ri a id Yaa lold this vas thi l Lo ge' -- - · 1 · hi ' 15 Se pte lber i I' Nell Sheehan vritillg from Saigon stated that the various elements o f the US clssLm i J Vietna l vere so badly divided that lashington ·c ' ' - · i ·· • '_t had i J terven ed He said 'nle only citlllan ofi'icial stlll strongly 1D favor oi' going aloog vith the Ngo f regil le is the Chief of the Central Intelligence Age cy here all-out ef'f'ort to ccmrtnce Washingtan that the military and political situation 13 deterioratirlg _ ·· j - -L 'i fii • _ _ r_ On the se ie dg y 11 David Halberstam stated that high US civilian ofi'icial s 1D Saigon vere lll8kiDg an l e said that the Chief of'• _ the Central InteJ11gence Agency favors all-out support for the present regilre but that alp st all other l le'lllbers of' his staff' are ecbittered ' -· · ' · i tff t' Iiriiti i· over the raids on the pagodas They also feel tbeir Chief's close J association vi th mm vb lle necessary has severelJ da aged intelligence gathering -- _ - · - · · t t i t ooooo ' •· -·- ' ·· - · · - - ·- · · r -i Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 · · • · · _ f ' P i rdson replied to Washi gto i 's req est for his judgcent the desi rability 8 ld feasibility of certain i ieas as ' ushington vas ti ea i n the course of co ist -- cti ' ' ' a ed pla J E cabled ' J -1 Je must go on t to vin · rar t cur -e it ac inistratio i for as lor g as it persists in po1o1er • • • ' -le should not atte pt pl iblic ly to achieve o ijectives vi - respect to G i · r en procabi of attai ent is virti ally nil We ca l l ot covertly ti uer with or engineers co ua less genenl sit tion is reasonably prop ltious and it ve are umble to establish r ecessary working con cts Ii th V e se les ers ' lil ll g a 1d able to c o the job vi t l i ecessar-J means · • • • Ag ee -we should carei'ul ly explore and per- aps careruu experu ient vith gradi ate ce i sures desig ed to pressure Oie 2 within co it ext of persuading him to take steps needed 'Ihese peas1 res would be oore effecti• -e if they are liz lited to practical and achievable objecti 'es • • • • • · 17 j i I rtf 'l •- · rt Septe iber Memorandu i f'or tl e Record Ore ared by DDP _ 1 Smith • discussed vi th ce • • • reports that Lodge wanted to get rid of Mr John Richardson • • • • • • Mike Dunn • had that Lodge 18S g 1 ig • to get rid of Richardson• • - •• •••· C · ·• told Ccmein • • • • • • On Ol le oc asion Dunn as Conei i 'Do you think that Dave fini th· can ru i the sta tio i for a te rary period lP 11 le a ne· Station · -i -'_j Chief is being sent cut here' ' ·• • - f t tt ff§1 4 r - • r 'i 19 Set te Jber Lc-ige to t - e P -eside i t St-a tele 8 1 fro n Saigon rro 54-4 i J g •-- - _ _- _·· · ·' ·' ' il tti ci --- --- --- - ·· ·_ ' • ' _ - - -··• ' _ • • '·• ·s - j' J C · ' · f ' - f --' ' _ ' • _ '- ' - '· • -· t _ s_' i f i i 1 fj17 ¼ W t4f ' -f ·_ · ' fr t i i 1 i A i i ' lfi i j f i i ct2f i is i- fii 1f b c jf1 lf J f 1 tt1 fi Jf i itf i '1k zl¾ -· • c - ' i% t ¥4 E Ji f 1rk o1 1 J i -' ·• ·- - •·- ••- _ _ _ · r _ • • ·· d e@ t u hould · i easure pend ixg su h · oppor unity at all '· _ r' - ' - t I VclS told b Rus that you JE1 proposed that Ge ceral I ans6lle • • • replace filc iardson as C-aief of St ation I vi sh to emphasize t ba t the Ag enc vi ll reorie lt tile Saigon Station in a 1 pra t ical -ay to 1ue-et your desL-es Personnel in lucilng the Station Chief can be replaced • • • • • • La lsdale 'WOuld ot be accepta le to the o • • If the ec n i is ban vi th the reai e t R1cb ar1 son proba' Jly si-g tl e '° PJ wed • we have n - - current inteli16 ence ior resul z estimate in hand vhicb ilould lead us to the co iclusiori that tbe present reg iJ ie can be disposed of or that there exists a replacement regime vhich vould be better This 1s · not ho- -ever to say tbs t a coup might not cc cur even before you receive tcis j I · b ·' '· - ·i· i ·- -c ' ·2-il fii- i ' stH t i 1£ te J 23 Se'Dte nber -- -1 DCI briefing of CL SubcOZCDittee of House Ar ed Services ' tltij there appeared to be 6 _ vas capable of runn1Dg the goverm ient· A nev reg L e probably vould be 120 replacement for the then current reg il Je that • _ •· ·_·· · Consequentl r the Agency as u -giDg a cautious slov no better ' approac i to tb e problem -- - · ' - --·- tlt 1B 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 _ --- - -···--· -- •-• r - • ' l _ I 'J ___ ' _ i - I f •' i ·H h· ·r·· 'f' f r' ·n · i - i - r 2 Octo r Secret a - Mci ru 2 rs to proceed to u1 l Viet to appraise e vas tee report in 'l 1ich 1c fa a ra recc e ed t ia t a pr0g -a l be establi3n r d to by US cili tary person 'lel could be ca Tied out Jy Vietr e ese by the end of 1965 Ile thought it - rould ti en 1 e possible to 'i ti ldrav the bulk of US persoD leL - i ·I i I Person al letter from Loc ge to - cCon • • • • • I agree vit - hat I U ' Cerstand McNamara has said The tir e has cc ne for a ne· 1 f ' c e - Th u t azc I'--'a l s o _ ' c i - ' · ---o f_ Richard son as a devoted and -at iq '1 i e-' to you I L I tf _s - ·-' ' 4 Octo er ' e _ 1 ft CIA cable f c i Saigon IG 1397 • • • • In s i t is clear th3 t Loqe -ant s a change· in Chief of Station • • • • • Lepar iug igon 1320 ho rs 5 Ocw' Jer • • • • ' i request that he return to b eadqu3 rter en TDY as soo i as possi'ble I · Upon Richa rd on 's departure his C ' _ 'l Y' Davi d R S li th bec a e ActL-ig Chief of Stat oa 26 · - Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 _ ' l l I J 14-00091J '' ' ' '·' - - · ·· '• • fl '-- 1 _ -t S •' 0 '•• ' J · • ' ' · - ' - _ i ' ' • ' T ' J •-- sit e t a - et c- 'lie4 r F cord by er 0 - '11 iii of Dept el 534 £s later e trJ of 5 Octo eif core li l ely to create an e O _om c crisis undernrtcl -ig the '-'Br effort than to l scare Diem and Nb u into a more cooperative attitude because i Z -l¾A ·t 1 · 1 t vould seriousl r a f'fect ti e con 'idence ad pl a 'i1 ng of the 'iet a ese · - 1 d·t j · business community and quickly engender i n1'lationarJ ceasures among 1 the po ula tion at large of a more serious nature It vas the consensus ot' the meeting that s me meani lful political movements bad to be made but eJ1BcUy vbat they should be 'W83 not deten wied CIA cable f'racl Sa igo i S U G 1445 - In a meeting 1th Conei n approved by the Ambassador 0 1 2 October General Minh req_i ested a statel ent of the US po itio i vi th respect to a cha lge in ti e GVX ·in the cear future • He said he· did not expect tr iG s- -p ort of' a coup effort but did t eed USG ass -s o es that the USG vould not tr r to th-wart his plru s J • He outlined three ' c i J i r i¥ i 1 -- _ _ _ -- ' 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 - · ·· ··f• _- r ' __ · -i · -· D e i in offi b en ircle ent of Saigon by various • ili tary uni ts coup and lo ralL t mili tar-J uni ts in Sai on i r l 5 Octo r c in ed 1· i CIA ceule fr Saigon SAIG J ' i 7 I I Dave Smith the A ting COS cabled that he cad discussed this letest Conei llinh meeting · ri th A i assador Lodge and DCX Truehart __ 1' ni th re por ed tr at he ba d recc er c ed to Ar ibassador ½ e that e do not set ourselves irrevocably against the assassination plot since the ot i er t·_ o alter ltives ean ei -i her a blo0dcath in Saigon - • or a protracted struggle hidi coul1 rip the ar iy and the - o_untrL asunder -1· Cc Z ent Smith's reca t lendation to Lodge on assassination drew a pl C llpt response fr om headquarters follo· r interrupt ti e chro 1ology 'lil e t o entries that Ti ey a re put heYe to complete i l I I- the star · on this si ni ficant e pisoc e i CL cable to 82 i on DI3 73561 uf 6 o- tcber I • • • - Cone directs tl a t you i c d -a· r reco enda tic 1 r CO '- ----e · ·· n c - - J ·o 7 U ' i r - L'-1 _ _ _ l - -• l - p_ ___ 3 _ ' 1 - Con _ to ·-- as- do · · in3trl c i Jr s as ·n- rL Yt Ce in posi tio i a-2 i · ely c ndo ii l 3 sue course of actio i end theret e i _ a 6 i ig o•·- respon5ibilit · therefor J j-J · · sJ ' · A -- - - 28 - •'t' ' Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 _ ' · · • · -·· · · - ·_ • r _ i4-0000 -_ _ • r - ·-' -- -i _ •er - - - _ r · Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566 76C · ' -·· · ' J · · 'f- ' - s 1 ' _· - ··• '· I- CIA cable fro 3aie1 on SAI' 1h63 o Cr t iber - · · nActi' l Ulk---n es direc ' ed To ad li tio i stnce DCl f ··Trueheart - ras slso present vhen original reco m i_endatio l ws ' I l3 ae specific v tbi_' Bwl of recom e ' ldatic i at_f c_Cone•s ' instr Jetton vas alzo onveyed to Trueb ea rt k Jbassador Lodge coc nented tb t he shares McCone•s opi liQ 1 · -- · · ·-Jt· Ju · 1- I• •t- •• - 'eJ 1 _ - _ - • ' I -I l ··-- - -- -•· · · · i ' i ' _ _ · - _ _ - - '·- - - l i ifo 1 ittk ft1 sJ fiiJt s tt ts f · ·- _ ' - ' · · - Li ' l ti f t i '- - ·t- _ · -f - r· - '1 '•··i- I · _ - · - _'· · z • · ·· 14-00Q00 - ' ' · -- _ - - - NSC consideration of t 2 October Mc l8 tara-'l'aylor -eport These points were incl ud ed 1 Existing sus ension ol new co cit i ents ui der the AID Cocimodi ty I iport P -ogram vill be maint ained 2 'L 48o conce d cilk 'llill ba ha ldl ed on a mo itil-to- ionth basis but will not be suspended 3 AID Project Loans -ill be suspended f'cr reviev 4 Ambassador should conti lue his policy of cool· correctness kc toward White Eouse cable to Saison CAP 6356a 1- r 1• ··ti - n • • President today approved reccm mendation that no 1 nitiative should nov be taken to give aey active covert encouragement a coup ' 'here should ho- rever be urge lt covert er fort iii th closest securt ty under b -oad guida lc e o f kn assador to identify e ml build co tact vith possible alt er iative leacersl lip as and wen it appears i - - i r •• ' _ - - J ·• • · 1 3 '1' · t i i - _ _ -r · 1 0 ·· · fo'_ I to South Viet to inve ti te cba es o f government oppressi of' Buddhists • - _ ' ·- _ -- 0 j • ' - ···· · · - - k ·· _3_ · o _ s · ·_ · j J • '' · · ·'ci 'ti ' S'' ·_I ' i i ' •• _ -· - _ · · · · ·- · · ·- · · · - ·'·· ff ·- ·--- - -- • t i 1 f t1 -- • ' 'r i· - _ - - - · · · 0 · - ·•• · ••• ·c''' - - _ ' · · · _ · r · • '· ·_-_ ·· _ · · · - · J rl I - • • ' '' ' t ff f t The Uu General Asse ibly a ed to send a fact-f'inding mission Jii ii' ' y 0 -' ·' - - - - - - l_· 8 October ·--· · · · ·_ - I -_· ' - _ -· · · -- · - _ i · • _'_- i i % _ l ·' _ - - _ _ • · • L_ _ r •·-· l_ ·• I • u •• - • _ e 1 - - · ' - - _ - _-t - · • P·· • - -' • · • - _·' · - ·· 0 17 iF Jt -t· · ' ' i' 'f ' As ' '5•9 c 'F i - ' 'i ' c ·'c' '' ' ' •ii - - · ·· · •·· · 1 i J t i ¼ i i f tii f €% - 14-ooi loo ·-w_ - f - ' L f f - r1• ''' 1 · ' •i •-- · · i - post of t Bud chi st protest i ovecent 'here it i'ound only t- Jo conks a ld Sou Vietn - -ese secret· poll· e n A plamled visit to the An Que Dg pigoda ws barren by tile Diem gover tllent 'Ille mission did r mmage to visit An Quatl3 on Z' October and intervieved Thich T1nh Kei t in the presence oi' a nu nber of' · secret police ' 'be 1 rrovember generals• oup interrupted the mission's vork and it lef't South Vietnam on 3 November UN General Assembly accepted vi thout vote on 13 ' __ f December a decision to discontinue investi8ltion of' alleged ·i - • J tJ ' iij · ·repression IE or Budc lists in South Vietmo l - 1 f Assembly- President · Rodriguez said Buddhist oppression by the ·govenmient ·had· -_ f J ·• - J '_ • I _ I • '• S it i ceased to be an issue since the ouster of' the Die n government _ led 0 i - · iJd iii• 1' t i t l t gf1 t t - I 41·· 1 r - testimony taken during its probe ·Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 _t ' - ' ' 14-QOOOO ·1·- t ' 1 · · · - t 1 · ·- - ' - --- t - • ·- _ - - •• - _ ' ·· ' Fres tent's ne s -- ' ·' t i 5 1 - i· t1 p-i -f··· 14' n ' I ij ' -- c V I kncr 1 tr at tr e transfer of - r Jo Ri rdson v'co is a very dedi ated J 1bllc servan ·has led to u n iises but I ca i assure you flatly tl at the c r as not c9 -Ti ' d ut iqc epei - ient acti• rit es -_Jbut _ his o rated U lc er close contr l oi' t J e Direct or of Ce l t l · Intelligence o erat t nder tr e--· it h tte coo eratio t of the National Seeu --1 t Council and t nt er cy instructions ' -f ' - • - CIA cable to Saig 1 - Eyes - l ly for Amcassad or DIR 7l 228 -1- · §f il direction of Colby The text states that these additional general thoughtsu had been discussed vi th the Pren de it and - · that the cable had been cleared vi th high officials in White llouse State Defense and CIA 32 - -- - · -- · 1 - · ' _ _ ·' - • · - - i i'4-6dOOG··· ·r· _ r ' · -- ' '° ' i · ' - '--' 4¥i · · s J Generals Minh or Don but if the ge ierals initute co itact such contacts vere authorized In uie COi Ir3e- of ceet s 1th Mi lh or Don assu ran es vere to be g l vea es specified i t DI3 7'4228 of 9 October · l_ DCI ·brlef'i r g of Senate oreig l Rele tion Ca u ttee · II · ''Ile bave not seen a successor go· -el'I lent in tl e wings t J at ve - could say positively • rould be an 1 pro- ement over Die • 'f' eforey _ it r as been our counsel th 3 t muzt -oceed ca1 1t101 sly ot ber i a si tl3tion might flare up vbich oigat result l n s ii rethin of a r·rL --- ·_ _ civil var and the Com unists vould cci- out the victor n erel r by sittillg on the f1del ines ·· · · · 23 October Sat5011 Station' c ru ory of the Viet mmese GeI eral s' Coup · · ·r- · IJ T At a meet i g vith Conein requested by Cenera 1 Don Don said • th e _ g e ne ra l s ha 14 wd11 e c i d ed Q ir to - s ta ge _ e coup lli th 1 n a wee k - • r i•'- 4f ' f i % - -- -- - f'olloving 26 Octobe t Co iein under i Lstructio is passed the substance f · of' DIR 74228 to Don Don p ra rl sed he voul d seek per iission of the coup committee to give Co eiri the political p12 n or the Al ibassador's eyes only ' · · • · ·- •- _-- f -· 4 --- · - i t · _ _ _··i · 1 ✓ -' _ - ' · · L ' _ -_- 11 '- - -_ _ - _ - -·0i c ·_ • t · t t i tjjl 'l j · ·- - · - - _ __ • - ·_ _·_ - · _ _ l r r · t ' ·· _ 14-00000 ' r- ' • • _ P - _r ·_ •r • - J --- - - Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 ' · £-Zsi '- ' - r f _ I t - • • ·- 1 ·- ·- - ' · ·- · - _ _ · - l _ •_ _ · ' - · - _ ij _ ' ' - __ i' • '· ·-· if 14 - -· _ - _ __ - ' ' - - - · - -· · ' ·- - -i - ·• _ ' - s- - 1- orac d u i for the Record p l -ed by tr e F xecir' i ve Di ' 7C or f'cl l'J' l rJ 3 e ee in vi h ew e - i f 3 1sen B 1reau of ti e E i et i ----· At Ean ens i li t al ceeting vi t 1 lodge lodge cade these ch 3 -ge s 1 ' 1 CIA · ras i prcperly deal g - ritll Iihu 2 ' 'f - CIA vas reluctru to turn o· er to the cillt lry its operatio 13 a ong the h ll tribes C 3 CIA had inac equate pe etrations of fae GVN and the Budd hists amt - - -- ws caught by sutprise ·- l · ____ L - •• I • _ _ i· 4 Richardson had a palatial mansion am - t¥ tt - entertailled gove - m ent officials there 5 T'ae CIA Station was too la ' e 8 ld too visible 6 CIA acted on its Oilil initiative without i ' ' ' t·j t • coordination a without any control frc i either the A llbassador or I Vashington Hansen said be later reported to Lodge tbat be thought Lodge's charges vere erroneous He· said he -as co ivinced that everyt M-6 · CIA bad done in Vietnam had been approved in Washi lgton1 coordi ated vith and carried out under the directions of the P bassador and _had _been carried out vi th both good juc g nent and a high quality of - A - rtu f t itit _ ' perfor ance --- ' ·1 Hansen noted that at the time of his first meetil g vi th I Gd 3e 1 Lodge lad iot yet had a full brlefi lg on v - at the A6 ency vas doq · 'nlis - - •- _ f -- - • ' ' took pla e a fev da rs later · 11•' _' ' _ _Ji i -- f' _ c • • • i · ' J i · -J · ' _ ' ' • 4fzi ·c -- · _ • Saigc J Sta tiO l rs Ristory o-f the Viet e3e Ge e •is Conein· celd t-r ceett gs vit l General Don o i 24 Ck tober • reported he had been in 'or ed b Ceneral E arki ns t the U S n ilitary vould not th·n 1 coup pl ans - - • ' Dc i Dc i said the up pl a z vere caciplete t i et the necessary militar u nts - -ere available and that the co- ip would oc u r n o later than_ 2 Uovember - · meetto 1 C ·-ti t ' - -- - - - - In the second said the coup ca mi tt ee renu ed to turn over the poll Ucal plan but autho 'i 2d Don to outli oe its substa ce vbich he 'id ' ctA cable to Saigon Dm 78161 25 October · - • • '' ' ' j' -' 4°f ' t1· Yrr2 ' -- ------------------------------------- ' · '- •- - - ··· ·· •·· 't - ••• - ·• • _-· _··· • · - --· _-- _J j f - Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C005662 6J _ tt' i_ ' ' · di r- -·- f J • J k s · - 'f J - The P -esident stated t2 t t - e p rpo e of - le eetit '• · It • I eove - 1 lent prior to the eturn of Lcd 2 e for consultations I stated his vte· 1s 1 i detail t· I l e sse ice he held little responsibility 3 Don could have a coup in ti e lall lg and could pull it off 4 We are ha ldllng a delicate situation _in a - ' i' non-professional manner 5 Successful coup wo ld lead to confusion ' '- because generals vould provide veak leade -ship 6 Cne co1 -p would be f'ollo- red by another ar d the var light be lo st during period of' ·- political con fusion 7 Civilians capable of run l Lng SVli could not be inJected into the govermcent and exercise effective control 8 Cannot discuss important poll tical isst es vi th Diem because_ of the policy o •correct cool attitude 9 We either bve to ' Diem and rum or we VO lt vi th '' have to take aggressive steps to remove them and· -- _ _ it is not clear that the succeeding govern nent · rould be much l etter _ 28 October · i - -- -f i tr - t•' Saigon Station's 2istor · of the Vietnar ese Gene -als' C upn General Don e sked lct4 --e if Conei i -as spea c ng for t e A ibassador · • - '' • -- · ' f ir f ----- __ ______ ' ' -• _ - - · ·Approved for Release 2024 08 05 coo 566276·- I 1 1r · _-_ _ - - -- I edge replied i t'he af 'i r i - e D i told t e C 3 t t e i 1 3 f izador US Govel'Q ent sh9ul l not ir terfere vi th or tr-J to stic ula te a CO'--P i ¥ f f i - t•· · ' ''' f'c '·ff - h f The A iibas do - ngre I - it Don • F 28 O ober continued Saigon Station's ilistorJ of •l t e Vi t e Get er tls' Cc·-7 Conein met vit L General Don for the last ti e before tbe coup ··• i · as launched Don confil ed t bat he had tailed _ i th the k bassad r vho I I 29 0 c'ber to bad vouched for Conein Don stated he was leaving on coor linate fin 31 plans Don requested C0Y ein to remain at h 1Cle beginning 30 October--until f'urther notice I Don repeated that tbe Ambassador vould have the plans before the coup l egan but - r- e 1 - pressed on his previous cOC1111itmen t to cake them available a hoi rs in advance Don said that possibly tour hours in advance the plans could oriJ y be made available _Don said nothiDg would be happe d thl n the next 48 hours and tbat U' there was a good reason for tJ e Bssador to cbange his pJ an ned 31 Oc tober denarture the Ambassador · -oi il d be inforued 1n t l le to make his o· m decision i ··- ·· -· •· - - - -- - · n - _ _ _· -_- ' _ ··t 1_1· -- ' 1 · _ - HH V - · _ -- · _ i i l ·--- _ r l °C w lo o g - -_ · - j Jfts¥-ti 1i i I z$ c 1 _ - - - - - L --· · · ·· • · · · · ·- ·· - _Approved for Release 2024 08 05 co-os6627E · ' _ •· - • '1 ·i -- · --- -- - ·•··-· ' '· - r f' l ff • f 'i '• '· _ ' • •tt · t -r• 14-0©0dCl - - - f-ij1j1 29 O tobcr CIA cable fro i' sair m • •-· •• - _ S -UG 2040 In an eyes oniy cable se it via CL ·c _ els Loqe gives his vie· s oa the seemil ' gly L' c llne it coup In s· rnry 1 - would appear t nat a coup attecpt y tie ge e -als' grot p is i l nent • ·and that z o positive cction b tl e USG csn _preven cou p atter pt short of inf'or- iing Diee1 u d -Nhu • Al thot gh t z -e ave been no requests to date by the gene 'als for material or fir a icial support ve must a itici pate _that such request 2y ce for icc ii i · ·1 _ iI ck• -- ·- '··1·-- _ r Presidential Mee CL participants DCI DP It was suggested that in the Amoassadcr's absence Harkins _ i f 4' ' ft% Trueheart and David Smith act as a committee to direct any coup o •·· ' '_ j - 5 t fj operation - DCt' col lltered with tl e e- r t ' a-c 11th should not be -t· involved 1n such a poli y-makin f't mction although he would be ill 1 a position to provide technical ·advice to ID rkins apd Trueheart as veil as carry out their instructio is in tbe operational field The Ji esident s ted t t if the fo -ces 1n Saigcn vere not clearly ill f'avor of the coup ve should discou ' 9 ge its launching' The Attor ie r · General felt the US w s rtski g too cuch cased on fii nsy E vidence The DCI stated his Vie that even n su cessf' ll coup vould create a · i· - i r ti K J s r it ¢1t -_ i 1 · i· period of interregml I acd con i sio i ·which Dight only be solved by a second or third coup _- _ % Iii S _ - · - -· 14-00000 ·-· · Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 t · ' iC t iff½ff · ' -- - ' - ·' _---- 30 c tober 'i f j •c••• '''' ' ••' ' ' le DIR 79 ces or • kc J r our app -oval no-_ s o significant tr at ve shou _i urgently consider our attit c a end cc iti ency pla a • • • • • • Belle -e our attitu e to coup g -oup can still have tlecisive effect its decisio i • • • _ e must ha re assu - mce balance or forces clearl7 i'o Yorab e • • • •• y - VV Conei i should express to Bon that ve co not f'irld presently revealed -' pl a is- give clear prospect of quick resul ts • • We badly need sc ne corrobo ative evidence vbeCier Mi i I and others uL -ectly and completely in• oh-ed • • • • • • #est eu -h '1 --r d es Jr i - ' 1 e e-' 0 un iers cod that af't er you de-par ure fu r Jr ins ould participat e ill supei- ision of ell coup contacts and that in event a coup begins 6-·- - - - -th - - - --------r-to- _i_i _ _ _ i t t _ - '_ h_e_b_eCIA_com_e_ _ le- -P- -Y - - - -•G-• • I discoi - couo ton Lss c i cia 1 clear pany ti es tha_j · this is a Viet se effa i•• I ceile- -e ve should continue our present posit ion of keeping 1- ands off b t cc itinue to c ii tor • -t 1 - i o imede i i t t • 6 i • f J t _ i_ Ix -·· · ' A· - - · 0 r - · · w·1· As tg n gµests f'rQr the generals t ex may s 1 i aye need of t 1ds at the last iao eat vi th -rd g ta h 7 off pa e tia1 oppgslte1P ' To • the ext ent tl-3 i' ese pmds can be passed disc_-eet lY I bPljoxe we ° i'bould f I rn ish b Q 1 • • If' ve were CO V1 nced· that the coup • ws goillg to f'ail ve 70uld of c'o' irse do everything ve could to stop it Gen rkins bas read bis and dces 'Ot concur CIA cable have probably figured their chances pretty closely • • • • • • It does not seem sensible to have the mill tar 1n c 1 - e of a matter which ts so profoundly political as a e of governcent • • • • • J ·L to Saigc i DilL794o7 '- CAP 63598 • • • • • We do not accept as a basts for US policy tbat we have no pover to delay or clls ourage e eot 'J • • • • • • le cannot limit ourselves to proposition implied in your message that only conviction of cer ain failure j t stif'ies inte - --e ition • t'S euthorlties ·nil reject a peals for d rect i l ervention froc either ct _ - 1 d of _ ' ' instructions _ C G· ' ' Y i ·· i · i 1ttlt l -i ' · 7 · -_· '_·- '· '__ _ •_ · _ _ '_ ' _ _-- _ - · -- - '- · ---- - - -- - ' ·-· l_' •_ _ _ i_ --• I · - · ' _ _' · _ ' ' I ' _ ' ' _ _ _i_ l _ ' -•- · ' ' _ _ _ _ t -il _ _ _ _- _ _ _ J - -- • · · · - ·' '' ·· - • f ' ·id _- C - - ·· ·--t - '· Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 · -·- ··· ' · '· · ' _ • · · _ 30 O to r co tlr ued -· · · ·· - ·i' _s J_• · ' E - t i - ' - - l• __ · i ·· ' - · ' c••-t t -t _ _ s • c CIA 1···' · - --- - --- j ' - _ coble f Sa c · - · --'2 • _ · Ji il - - - f - 7_· ' i_·_ _ · • · - ' ' ra 20 - - Cable from Lodge L it en ti e t l Th nk for your zagacious instru tio WHl c ' lr - r o· ' tg b t o ' r y ability - ' The coup began at 1315 hours Saigon time -which is equivalent to 0015 hours WashiDgton t le l November is dra- m fl C I severol sc- rec o Tbe f'olloVing ccount - toe Saigon Stati n•s 1 story of' t h e fX '_•· -- -- '•_ n - f coup and various cables 11 At 1315 hou rs tbe Aide de Camp to Ceneral Don to Conein's au ie house told him that the C01 -p -was in r g 'ess and said that General ' Don llBnted CODein at Joint Genera Staff' JGS headqt arters The aide also asked Conein to b vi th him as much money as Cotiein - -- could readily- lay bands upon -' The station had stored five million · J•·c- -•· - piasters about $68 ooo at the official rate a conti lge lcy '· ' ·' i' house against such - j_-' in a _sai'e µ Conein_• ··' -w -6 Conein took three cillion '1it1 X¼li fi --_r _· _ - ri · r-' - ·1· him Genera1 Don used the ooney to reward opposition cilitar r units 7 l vho joiz ed the coup ·group 0a 2 Nove noer General Don 1 nfor ned ---- __ Conein that he needed t on e r to pay the families of persons killed t s t fr · during the coup I _ Conein ga ve General Don an additional 1 750 000 piasters _ • _ n e bundle ot 250 ters ws overlooked - ws - ' ' ' ' • ' ' _ · -·- · - 0 -· - Ji £ · -S i L zs r t ' i1 S2i · _ _ c « l ii e1 __ · ' - · '· '· •· 2024 08 05 C00566276' ·· · ··' _- · •o•- - ' -- · - ' ' i ' _'- - O i ··-- --- - • · · ··Approved for Release · · · · ·- ' · 14-00000 Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 later in Conein's afe T'r e passi s of 1f e f J s QbY 101 1 1 r --- '- I a very sensitiY r atter D ive nith reporced b f cable on 25 Novemcer 1 1963 that the disb rse ne it had not ret 1 -eec disc1 ssed with the Alnbas ador ever told The files clo not sho vt et er e Jll·cassad or ' las In u State cable frc n Sa on or 2i April 1964- Lod -e reports a meet e had that day - rith General M im It read s in part ''He then said 'I 'offint to esk JOU a question about a money matter n• d Conein ever gi-ve Gene -al Dc i money for the November l cc up'l' h I lid 'Definitely lot fud he done such a ting I ' would certaL-i ly have i- no- m it • j ' t We as r ed Dave Smith about this nnd he said he thought that the f Junbassador had eventi ally been told that t '1e money had been p a s s e d We can neither con firm nor refute from the record s __ onein weut to JGS headquarters and remained at the command post throughout the stn ggle _ Bef'ore l e a his home Conein alerted the station by radio Upon arriving at JGS headquarters Conein ws told by Gei eral Den teat Don ad tried unsuccessfully to reach Conein earlier by telephone Conein's telephone '1 3S A later check re 'ea led that out of order Co ein keep a telephone ll e open to the Ambassador o fficer on the scer e and in intiza te contact - ai told teat he · -as to Because there ras a CIA n th the cot p principals l - 41 - j i '· 3 l• ' l ' ' ' Approved f r Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 14-00000 - • · • _ -· - •-1' ' _ ' ·• •· - • '-' Approved fo R i°ease 024 08 05 C00566276 - - · t '· · · f i1 ff ik 0ri 2 - flit f - - s t ' - · ·- ·· · - -1 -i - f F i i i' i i - - official circles i0n 4 October headc _uarters had cabled the station In future do not repeat not put 1 1es age re · · i ' ' i COt 'P plot s or rumors in P ather you should slug thei i L MEDIA' JE ATI'ENTION FOR CRITIC cha nnel - -- L ·-- r BRENT i'- came in as regular CIA cables snd were put onto the CRITIC network - f As a conseqt ence the first cipled re_ports from the station I i i Jty __ i here at headqua rs - c fir t ble res rece ved et headquarters · at Oll7 urs Uasb iDgton ti lle s nd vas filed on the CRITIC network• • ' t j - •r• _-• ' -••d • •• at 0159 ' At 0256_·hours foUo· d receipt_ of the_sixth non- C cable headquarters instructed the station to put the coup reporting on tbe CRI'l'IC network at the station _Sometime during the day of l November the confirmation copy of the cable lacks a date tiJJJJe i' stimsp headquarters cabled a llBrning to the s ation against includiIJg · the DBllles · or - CIA personnel in its CRITIC cs bles Conein is identified ·b7 i ' i '1 GS headquarters in eleven CRITIC messages •is' i - i -- - · seven of mi ch were put ' ' ·- - ' '- - •_ j • - • _ l - · - -rt into t le CRITIC channel 'Without the name being deleted here at headquarters- r- At 1030 hours 2 November -- i i Saigo 1 the Saigon radio announced · that both Diec and 1lhu had cCIC rl tted suicide by ts king poison _· ii · · ' Later h -· · ·· • ··· · ' - - · · Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 ' ·- · ·· ·· ·· c - r · - '· • ·JI _ J ·-' • ·••· 14-00000 - - 't ·- -·' _ ' ·Approved for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 · __ · - · _ ___ -· ' '• · ' 7 -- _' _ __ --- jr 1 i I1tt• b J ' • - _· - j _ · d1 a e red at the churc l at 1030 hours ·F I ·X not have a tr ily reliable account of the circumstances i I or tl eir deaths but they certainly -were not by uicide • Accardi cg _ _ _-'ii _ _ I f -- I to o 1e of C I ein's reports Diem called General Dan at o650 hours Ceaeral Minh 2 Bovember and of fered t o surrender 1 mcoriditioDAll y 1 ediatel y ordered al l telephones removed from roans in their JGS · commend post· area • This cut off al l c acmun 1catiOI1 with the out ide except f'or radios under Millh's control Oti 16 Hoveiiber 1963 a field-grade of ficer of' the JGS vbo vas I I deepl7 iDVolved in the coup and whose reliability' the station could• not J e nor did it i m ie of' t be bodies of' Diem m d Nhu 'Which he claimed be had taken at request of' ieDeral Kila I him gave a station officer two photographs The • · • J • •• photographs sbov t bat the deaths vere Yer y - · The source gave the f'al loving accmmt of' the deaths ' officer as present vb en the Mill tar - Bevolut l omuy Ca mdttee debated t e ultil late di positio i of the brothers accompanied the force ·that apprehended tha 1 1 and witnessed tl e events i Jediatel y a ' ter their deaths He vas not _present 1n the M-ll3 amored personnel car -ier at ti e ti Je or the deaths i _ ' j s _• · 3 - ·i '•' -it_ - '• - ' ·· ·· ·· _ · Appro ed for Release 2024 08 05 C00566276 · · ·· · · · · ' · '' t · i · · · r i rri ·t ' ·-' f · · -- '' · ' - ' - - · ifj kill to·- ·r • - · ' • t - e i · I Captain P l i ig ls des it9 ' a d s executio ier ---- -- • ··· - •_ •• _0 1 t e c crnino of 2 vec r the C c ttee ce_ived a p o le call f -c a casU3l ini Qr 1 1 t telli ig ·- ere Dieci and mm could be fcun i A force iits d lstiatcl ed to apprehend tbe i ffeis appears to conri fct ·Jith Co ei n's report that the p iones had bee a Jr illed out_ '· ortly after 10 00 a Iii Die ll and Hhu entered the Jersoll lel car - er vith ·Captain lniu ig Upon arrival at t le JGS l ead arters Dieo and µhu l 'ere c ead 1'hu bad been stabbed 21 ti es 1n the back vith a carbt ie 'tayooet a ld shot five tbes Die i ad- been s ot t- rice 1n the ±est lfmm g lea ied from ti e M-113 viUJ the bayo let 1n band and proudly displayed it to all observers His ams vere ' i _ ' ·_ · -' _' · v2ir it k 1 '3 ' 11 - f - t ji - - t - i ' fil 'fi g - ·· i t i - ·t i ti 4 j c i- 'I i ' f j - · '•· _ To recap a C JA vas not in favor of ti e decision to abandon °the Diem -eglme but faithfully carried out instructioua o peun ts ooup - - c A CIA otticer CO lein VS s at pos throughout the fighting d i Coneih furnished General Do i ___ _ _ the geDerals' ca miand · J - · · ·''·J sifJ J ii- i ·-L- - --1 ' ffl ll -' -J · - ' r ·' t Ji b ' 'il±'irf 11i t 1t't 'ii about $65 000 to buy- ott 0 •· hit - - -- '-•-' • -·_ __ •• CIA had no band 111 the assassinations a ld had forebovledge of them • vttb the ' e pposition military units vhile -the coup was in progress e · · IlQ