NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
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The second factor is that there will be very strong opposition in the Congress to supporting the situation in Indochina generally and Vietnam, in particular if Diem is replaced under existing circumstances. We do not say that this opposition may not in the last,instance be overcome, particularly if you personally can make a case before the Congressional committees but Mansfield who is looked upon with great respect by his colleagues with reference to this matter, is adamantly opposed to abandonment of Diem under present conditions. I wonder whether there is not some intermediate solution between the present extremes now discussed and that Diem can be allowed to regain his damaged prestige by an assertion of authority over the Binh Xuyen and at the same time other elements be brought into the government under conditions which will assure a real delegation of authority.
I feel that as with most Orientals Diem must be highly suspicious of what is going on about him and that this suspicion exaggerates his natural disposition to be secretive and untrustful. If he ever really felt that the French and ourselves were solidly behind him might he not really broaden his government? He must I think have some sympathy for his predicament as he is constantly called QUOTE the Diem experiment UNQUOTE.
In conclusion I want to reaffirm the very great confidence which we all have in you and in your judgment. You have done and are doing a wonderful job in the face of tremendous difficulties.
Your 4448 has just arrived in Department but is not yet decoded. We will comment on it in subsequent telegram.
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