Memorandum for the Record, April 27, 1955

SUMMARY OF REMARKS OF GENERAL LAWTON COLLINS

General Collins reviewed the situation in south Viet Nam. He said that after months of attempting to work with Ngo Dinh Diem he had reached the conclusion that the Premier did not have the executive ability to handle "strong-willed men", that he concerns himself with minor matter[s] and has not originated a single constructive idea since he came to power. Able men in the cabinet had been alienated by Diem's habit of going over their heads, according to General Collins, and he paid little attention to their views, preferring instead to rely on two brothers and a number of "yes men"[.]

There was no questioning according to Collins of Diem's honesty, anti-communism and anti-colonialism, but he is so completely uncompromising, acetic [ascetic] and monastic that he cannot deal with realities like the Binh Xuyen and the Cao Dai. Diem has incurred the undying enmity of Bay Vien for the manner in which he closed the gambling houses in Saigon.

Between [French Commissioner-General Paul] Ely and himself, General Collins believes there is a chance to rescue the situation. It requires an able Premier…