BY THE KENNEDY LIBRARY BECAUSE IT IS ATTACHED 1 0 ACLASSIFIED DOCUMENT 5an 1906 - 23 Oct 63 TO STATE FRCM LODGE 1 At the time of filing OAS Saigon 1896 I had believed Gen Harhins was in Bangkok In fact he was not but had been on a trip in the Delta area In conversation with Gen Harkins on the afternoon of 23 Oct we discussed GAS Saigon 1896 Ge'n Harkins confirmed that that portion of the message which erred to him was correct Gen Earhins added that it was his inte ion to discourage various military officers from approaching his officers on political matters as was the case with Col Khuong and that he wished to focus the attention of these officers on their military duties in the furtherance of the war effort 2 I discussed with Gen Harkins 'the guidance contained in a message through GAS channels identified as GAS Washington 71928 I also recalled to his memory our discussions on the previous Big Minh Conein meeting on which we jointly in GAS Saigon 1MB 3 Gen Barkins stated that he had misunderstood and felt that the USG was not now in favor of a coup I explained that while it was true that the USG did not desire to initiate a coup we had from the highest levels not to thwart any change of government which gives promises of increasing the effectiveness of the military effort - insuring popular support to win the war and improving working relations with the 11 5 I noted particularly that Gen Don had initiated this meeting-himself and that no commitments had been made nor would any 'be made without a full review of the General' 5 plans Gen 3me expressed regret if he had inadvertently upset any delicate arrangements in prOgress and added that he would find a suitable occasion in which to inform General Don that his remarks of 22 Oct did not convey official thinking 5 We agreed to keep in close consultation on this matter DECLASSIFIED E 0 12356 Sec 3 4 - magi This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu Read related article New Light in a Dark Corner Evidence on the Diem Coup in South Vietnam November 1963 2020-11-01