NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
TOP SECRET
You should speak to Diem privately regarding elections, without showing him formula outlined next telegram. He are not now attempting secure his approval as such to our position but to assure he understands our viewpoint and accepts it to degree we can proceed with French British on broad assumption Free Viet-Nam's position similar our own.
Believe best way accomplish this is to remind him of his and foreign ministers conversations with Secretary on this subject and to continue that in specific cases of elections in Korea and Germany Free World has stood firm on issue of guarantees of genuine free elections, supervised by body having authority guarantee elements free elections PAREN outlined last paragraph following telegram UNPAREN. In each case Communists have refused accept these safeguards which we think basic and fundamental. We believe unless such guarantees previously agreed upon would be dangerous for Free Viet-Nam be drawn into further discussions of other issues of election. Ask Diem if we can assume our thinking is alike on this point.
Since time exceedingly important, hope we can have affirmative answer soonest.
COPY
TOP SECRET
