SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000400020049-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 22, 2004
• Sequence Number: 49
• Publication Date: October 21, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approared'Fg Release 2004,
NSC BRIEFING ` 21 October 1$54
SITUATION IN SOUTB VIETNAM
1. Diem's position growing extremely week
as crisis prolonged; his government may
collapse at any time.
A. Ely has revived Tam's candidacy
for premiership.
B. French acting high commissioner
who has been strongly pro-Diem
says premier's prestige reduced
to zero; suggests Diem's brother,
Luyen, as suitable successor.
C. Heath sees these views as
indicating extent of deterioration
in Did+ is position.
31. Raphaol-Leygues, I[endes-France's advisor
on Indochina, sees only hope as govern-
nent of sects led by prince Buu foi.
STATE & SC reviews completed A. Leygues plan would involve ouster
App,or release 2004/07/08': CIA-RDP79RKTh90A00040002f '4' 8
 Approved For. Release 2004/07/08: CIA-RD _ 90
B. He claims this plan is alter-
native to currently dominant
theme in French thinking: i.e.
drop Diem and work toward rap-
prochement with Viet Minh.
C. However, Buu Hoi is longtime
fellow traveller and Leygues
plan may come to same thing.