Secret Telegram from Maneli (Saigon) to Spasowski (Warsaw)

Saigon

Dispatched 10.04.63 at 11:10 hours

Received [in Warsaw] 10.08.63 at 09:00 hours

Came into the Decoding Department on 10.08.63 at 10:10 hours

No. 12830

Spasowski

1.   I am trying to carry out the instructions within my capabilities. The Commission and its agendas are not working (for the past 8 months of my stay there were three meetings) which require a lot of hassle. All my contacts are those of a social character. There was no single incident in which I would act as an intermediary in anything at the request of the Vietnamese comrades; I have been informing you about everything without delay.

2.   It does not correspond with the truth that I was allegedly invited to Hanoi at the time of the Buddhist crisis and the state of siege. On the contrary, I was advised not to come and to stay put, as was emphasized, in the [best] interest of everyone. In the early days of August, we were bound by the official decision of the Commission; the chief delegates committed themselves not to leave Saigon. [Canadian] Ambassador Cox gave up his travels. I did not go to the DRV’s [Independence Day] holiday on September 2, after having consulted with Hanoi, and I informed you about that (yours 384).  We were expecting bombings at the time. I reckoned that it would be unworthy of the chief of the delegation to leave and to head for a safe place. I sent comrades Lato and Szmidt [to Hanoi]. My decision at the time and during my current stay in Hanoi was acknowledged legally by the Vietnamese. This is the reason for their warmhearted welcome at my reception [in early October]. Connecting this matter to [French] Ambassador Lalouette is a misunderstanding. L.[alouette] was in Saigon at the time, there are our [cables] from the time 390 and 392, and 393 and 398 about his pronouncements. He left for Hanoi after the situation had stabilized. I admit with regret that you were led into error.

3.   I am presenting the facts as far as the issue of Nhu.  I immediately conveyed the public invitation by Nhu at the party – yours 393.  On September 1, I received an invitation signed by the chief of the Liaison Mission for September 2.  I understood the lack of your reply as the lack of reservations [on your part], and I knew about the positive position of the Soviet comrades; I therefore thought that I could not decline [the invitation]. I made this decision in very difficult conditions. I received your [cable] which prohibited me to go [to meet with Nhu] on September 5, that is after I sent the report of the conversation. As to the démenti, I sent it before your 10788 (our 466). The second option of démenti – yours 462.

Maneli

(signed in hand)

No. 463

Deciphered on 10.08.63 at 14:35 hours

By Pikuła and Gorki (?)

Checked by Meller on 10.08.63 at 14:45 hours