LETTER TO MR. GEORGE A. CARROLL FROM RICHARD HELMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000100060010-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 22, 2003
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: May 10, 1966
• Content Type: LETTER

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:~'r. Geor~;c~ .P.. Carroll
Cyffic~ of the Vice I3re~idant
Ex$cutive C)lfyi~ce/~.Building
~Y $8hin~;tQ1t1, iJ r .C r
Bear Gr~orge,
tN`ith regard to your 3 i~iay letter. sinco he went to ~;~?e on
i? Aprril, 'S'ri Luang has indeed mare or loss dropped out of tho
timeli~ht. The advertised object of hiss curre:~t activity is to e~2ain
the mid-~ipril "a~;reon~eata" with the GovarruY~ent to the tiue ~ucldhists
and their followers and bxing them aboard so fa.r as actions are
conce~rnod, i.s., daYn~i don Embassy, Telegram 4020, dated lb April 19b6
Following is rough translation of Communique issued April 15 by
Buddhist Institute:
~`Qllowing the issuance of Communique 21 dated 1Viarch 12, 1960,
tho Buddhist Institute rrxade it clear that the purpose of its campaign was
to represent the Buddhist people in requesting a canstitutianal convention
{quoc hoi lap hion) and elections as soap as passible. This purpose
having beers realized as a result of official letter 4213 dated April I3
from the Chairman of the Control Executive Coxnmiitee (Nguyen Cao KtJ)
and decree nunnber 014/66 dated April I4, 1966, from the Chairman
of the National Leadership Council (Thieu), the Institute announced the
stopping of its campaign with the fallowing details:
(a) The Institute accepts the proposal that the elections
for a constitutional convention be I~cld within three to five months
although previously the Institute had subgested that the elections
be held within thraa months.
(b) Any Government can or anize the elections. The
Institute thinks that the faithful need not waste their strength
thinlc.ing about the form of a government which will only Iast
threes to five months.
{c) If: The Government does n?t keep its pro~nisa, or
imprisons those who carnpai~;ned for a leriislature, or either the
decree ar the or;anization of the election is not honest, then
the Innstituta will have an appropriate attitude and will talccr
appropriate action.
(d) The concept of the Yn.stitute convernin; the proble*.-n of u
legislature is that when the nation has a basic institution e~.-pressYng
tho rna.ximurn units and equality of tho people. than the future
government will have been formed in accordance with the Buddhist
point of view. Whore this has bean don?, the Institute will be free
fro:rn a situation where unstable govarn-nents make victims.
(e) The Institute proclaims that the faithful of the Institute
moat always, together with the people, follow the struggle for
sovereignty and self-detexrrnination.
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In concluding this Communique, the Institute praisee~ and e~preasea
Sts gratitude for the efforts end the fearless but non-violent struggle
of the $uddhist ca:npatriots, especially those in Central Viet-Nam.
The Institute again thanks all groups and tha people oeneraily for their
unity and single-mindedness, especially that of the Army, with regard
to thaix good will concerning our national savereibnty. End.
Institute also sent letter to "Inatitutcr Representatives and all Buddh~.st
Groups mt all Levels Throughout the Nation". Letter dated April i5
and ,signed by Thich Taxr~ Chou. Rough translation follows:
Fallt-wing the decision of the Vien Hoa Iaao, the campaign for a
Gonstitutianal convention (quac hoi lap hien) is stopped, and all Buddhist
ornanizatit-ns and groups involved in the campaign return to their usual
activities and positions.. From now on alI matt?rs concerning Buddhists
should be under the direction of tha Vien Haa I7ao. The Institute honer
that all will correectly implement the abava decision of the Institute. Enci.
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Executive Regi~trp
r~~ ~ -
~ ~
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
NSC REVIEW
COMPLETED,
6/26/2003
May 3, 19 6 6
Since the departure of Thich Tri Quang to the north, he seems
to have dropped from sight.
The Vice President has asked me to request of you any infor-
mation you might have concerning what our Buddhist friend is up to.
Also, he would appreciate having an outline of the tacit under-
standing arrived at by General Ky and the Buddhists. He has in
mind the "August elections, " the constituent assembly, etc. In
the back of his mind are the numerous ways either side might ac-
cuse the other of infidelity. In anticipation, he would like to study
their "agreement. "
GeorgA. Carroll
Mr. Richard Helms
Deputy Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Langley, Virginia
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FORM N0. Use previous editions
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