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The Overthrow of Diem’s Regime Autumn 1963

The Overthrow of Diem’s Regime Autumn 1963. Madame Nhu Diem Nhu “Dragon Lady” Pres of SV Head of SV Secret Police. Problems of Diem’s Regime. Buddhist Protests. Corruption. Fraudulent Elections. Communist Infiltration. Previous coup attempts. Making a deal w/ NV?.

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The Overthrow of Diem’s Regime Autumn 1963

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  1. The Overthrow of Diem’s RegimeAutumn 1963 Madame Nhu Diem Nhu “Dragon Lady” Pres of SV Head of SV Secret Police

  2. Problems of Diem’s Regime Buddhist Protests Corruption Fraudulent Elections Communist Infiltration Previous coup attempts Making a deal w/ NV? Diem won’t reform or dump his bro Nhu

  3. Beginning of the End • SV generals contacted CIA Agent Lucien Conein (Lulu) about overthrowing Diem • July 9, 1963 – CIA Director John McCone briefs JFK

  4. Top Secret Hilsman TelegramAugust 1963 • Asst. Sec of State for Far Eastern Affairs to Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge “Diem must be given the chance to rid himself of Nhu….Urgently examine all possible alternative leadership….You will understand that we cannot from Washington give you detailed instructions as to how to proceed, but you should also know that we will back you to the hilt on actions you take…”

  5. State Department Memo • Secretary of State Dean Rusk to Amb. Lodge • August 29, 1963 “The USG supports a coup which has a good chance of succeeding, but plans no direct involvement of U.S. Armed Forces.”…NSA would offer “no active promotion of the coup…in order to offer plausible denial.”

  6. Lodge Responds • “We are launched on a course from which there is no respectable turning back: the overthrow of the Diem government….U.S. prestige is already publicly committed to this end in large measure and will become more so as the facts leak out….There is no turning back because there is no possibility that the war can be won under the Diem administration.”

  7. The Coup – Oct 31/Nov 1, 1963 • SV Generals begin bombing presidential palace and rolling tanks/troops into Saigon • Diem’s phone call to Lodge Diem – “Some military units have begun a rebellion, and I want to know what the attitude of the U.S. is.” Lodge – “I do not feel well enough informed at this time to be able to tell you. Remember it is 4:30 A.M. in Washington, and the USG cannot possibly have an official view at this time.”

  8. CIA Memorandum • November 2, 1963 “Saigon radio announced that Diem and Nhu committed Suicide.” JFK doubts this and wants further investigation

  9. The Result Diem and Nhu are bound and executed A half dozen military juntas rule over the next few years U.S. is fully committed

  10. Credibility Gap • Ambassador Lodge November 6, 1963 Cable to JFK (Classified) “The ground in which the coup seed grew into a robust plant was prepared by us, and the coup would not have happened as it did without our preparation.” June 30, 1964 Interview in The New York Times “We never participated in the planning. We never gave any advice. We had nothing whatever to do with it.” LBJ in 1966: Diem Coup

  11. Key Question • Does the coup make it easier or harder for the U.S. to get out of Vietnam?

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