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Period: to
Vietnam War
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Diem is best representitive to fight communism
General Collins, U.S. Special Representative in Vietnam, reports to the National Security Council (NSC) that Diem is the best available Prime Minister to lead Vietnam in the struggle against Communism and that his government has a reasonable chance of success if it has firm U.S. support and guidance and active French cooperation -
Plans for a "United Front" Against Diem
Represetnatives from Cao Dai, Hoa Hao, Dan Xa, Lien Minh and Binh Xuyen forces meet at Tay Ninh to plan their "United Front". -
Diem lacks the ability to lead a government
General Gambiez, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief of French Forces in Indochina, mediates a truce between the Binh Xuyen forces and Diem's government
After multiple resignations from the cabinet General Collins informs the State Department that Diem is practically operating a one-man government that is unlikely to last long. He suggests that Tran Van Do and Dr. Quat be considered as alternatives to Diem. -
Saigon Town Hall Gathering
200 people gather in Saigon Town Hall and say they are the "General Assembly of the democratic and revolutionary forces of the nation" and require a Diem to lead a new government, withdral of French Expiditionary Corps, and elections for a national assembly. -
Triparte talks on Vietnam begin
United States, UNited Kingdom, and France gather in Paris to collborate on the subject of Vietnam -
Saigon Embassy informs about troop movement
Saigon embassy informs the State Department that the latest MAAG recommendation of reducing VNAF to 170,000 by July 1956 and to 150,000 by end of 1956 will cost $336 million. The embassy / United States Operations Mission (USOM) recommends a reduction to 100,000 men by the end of 1955 at a cost of $180 million. -
Diems radio address
Diem makes a radio address stating that South Vietnam was not a signatory of, and therefore not bound by, the Geneva Accords and that the necessary conditions for free elections did not exist in the North -
Walter Robiertson sends telegram to General White
Assisstant Secretary of Far East Affairs sends s telegram to the Director of the Office of Military Affairs concerning how many people should be in Vietnam at all times. -
Vietnamese Government plans two national referenda.
The first on October 23 to talk about making Diem Chief of State and the second on November 27 to talk about Diems government -
Voting begins in the Diem-Bao Dai referendum
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Diem becomes preisdent
Biu Van Thinh, the Minister of Interior, announces that with 98% of the 6-million votes, Diem becomes President of the new Republic of Vietnam and that Bao Dai is dethroned.
