Vol. 4, No. 16 May 20, 1966
KY'S "ACT OF TREACHERY"
Ky's blitzkrieg attack on Danang May 16 was aimed at stabilizing his own precarious position as dictator. It was a desperate gamble, however, for it risked setting off new demonstrations. The Buddhist leaders in Saigon called it an “act of treachery" designed to block the holding of elections. It could lead to "civil war."
Did Ky's gamble have Johnson's approval? After an emergency "secret" meeting that included Johnson, Lodge, Rusk, McNamara and
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other high officials, the State Department said that Ky acted without consultation. U.S. officials in Saigon were told, according to the Same source, to do their best to persuade south Vietnam officials to do their best to "resolve their differences." Thus Johnson sought to maneuver into position to disclaim any responsibility if Ky failed or to embrace him if he succeeded.
Ky's promise to the Buddhist leaders to hold elections embarrassed the Johnson administration. Elections would be an inconvenient diversion from all-out pursuit of the war. Yet it was difficult to come out openly against them.
Lodge and Rusk even felt obliged to cover up for Ky when he blurted out that he intended to stay in power for at least "a year" -- even if elections were held. Rusk said that Ky had been misinter- . preted. In Saigon the press on the day following Ky's statement came ~ out with white spaces where the censor had pencilled out the: reports which the Americans had found embarrassing.
What the censors cut out in Saigon also appears:.to have been kept out of the reports in the American press. However, the May 12 New York Post printed the following extract from the verbatim transscript of the interview Ky granted to CBS correspondent | ‘Ron Nessen::
"Nessen: If in the election of an: assembly the government seems to be neutralist or Communist and to -be moving towards peace with the Viet Cong, what would you.and your military associates do?
"Ky: We will stand and fight.
_"Nessen: You will fight the elected government?
"Ky: If they are Communists, I don't care if they are elected or not.
"Nessen: And if they are neutralists?
"Ky: Also. -
- "Nessen: You will fight the government and try to throw them out?
"Ky: But I am sure it will not happen, because I firmly believe that the mInajority of our people are anti-Communist and antineutralist."
When Ky granted this interview, his plans to attack Danang were nearing completion. If the attack succeeded, in one blow he would strengthen his own position and end the embarrassing business about elections.
‘Would Ky make such a move without an understanding with his imperialist masters? It is not very likely. No doubt, however, they indicated they would have to disclaim responsibility. His understanding smile can easily be visualized.
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AMERICAN