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Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
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| 204. | The Manila Conference delegate submits comment on the SEATO treaty articles of special concern to Defense. Among these are: "Article IV is the heart of the treaty" -- and provides that aggression against any member, or, by agreement, any nation in the area, would be met by action in accordance with "constitutional processes"; Article V establishes a council which provides for "machinery" to achieve Treaty objectives; and Article VII provides that other nations may be invited to accede to the Treaty. ISA Memorandum for Secretary of Defense, 14 September 1954 | 746 |
| 205. | Diem has not demonstrated the necessary ability to deal with practical politics and administration. France, apparently, with no policy toward South Vietnam, has failed to support Diem. Trends indicate enhanced prospects of Communist control over the area. SNIE 63-6-54, 15 September 1954 | 751 |
| 206. | Ambassador Heath goes on record with a strong criticism of General O'Daniel's "impetuous action" in contacting General Hinh concerning the political crisis in Saigon. O'Daniel prefers Hinh to Diem and rejects the exiling of Hinh to the United States as requested by Diem. Ambassador Heath Letter to State, 16 September 1954 | 753 |
| 207. | The JCS see the Geneva cease-fire agreement as a major obstacle to the introduction of adequate U.S. MAAG personnel and of additional arms and equipment. Further, because of "uncertain capabilities of the French and Vietnamese to retrieve, retain, and reorganize the dispersed forces of Vietnam," U.S. support to the area should be accomplished at "low priority." JCS Memorandum for Secretary of Defense, 22 September 1954 | 756 |
| 208. | The JCS recommend against the assignment of a training mission to MAAG, Saigon in view of the unstable political situation in South Vietnam. JCS Memorandum to Secretary of Defense, 22 September 1954 | 759 |
| 209. | Total tonnage of MDAP material delivered to Indochina since December, 1950, is 737,000 tons. Prior to termination of hostilities, there were 500,000 tons of equipment and 20,000 vehicles in North Vietnam. As of 13 September, there are 450,000 tons of equipment to be evacuated from North Vietnam. Military Assistance Memorandum for ISA, 24 September 1954 | 761 |
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