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Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
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- a) Will the Vietnamese National Army as a group stick with Diem?
- b) Will the Binh Xuyen be broken up into isolated remnants?
- c) Will enough nationalist groups including sect leaders rally to the government even against Bao Dai?
- d) Will Bao Dai fire Diem, even if the answers to the above three questions are clearly enough in the affirmative.
What I am afraid of is that the combination of continuing forces coalesced around Diem on the one hand and Bao Dai on the other may not enjoy preponderant strength.
7. There are possibly serious anti-French overtones in the Vietnamese political situation. These also include anti-Bao Dai feelings. We must not take any action which would tar us with the same accusations. General O'Daniel, our three Attaches, and Lansdale informed us on April 30th that "any change in leadership or command at this time could result in chaos".
8. There are some personal aspects that I would like to take up with you privately.
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