Ngo Dinh Diem

Ngô Đình Diệm Jean Baptiste (???, approximately pronounced "Ngoh Din Yim"{{Audio|NgoDinhDiem.ogg|listen}}) (January 3, 1901 – November 2, 1963) was the first President of the Republic of Vietnam (1955–63). It is worth noting that according to the namings of Diệm's relatives, the family name for Diệm appears to be Ngô Đình, instead of the conventional Ngô. Ngô Đình Diệm was unmarried; thus his sister-in-law, Madame Nhu, was regarded as the First Lady of South Vietnam.

Coup and assassination

When the regime turned on a protest by Buddhist monks in June 1963, the U.S. stopped giving aid.

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A small number of monks had immolated themselves in public protest, and the U.S. grew intensely annoyed with Diệm's unpopular public image. In their defense, Diệm and Madame Nhu claimed that the Communists had infiltrated the Buddhist groups, and that their crackdown was in accordance with the agreed-upon anti-Communist policy. Madame Nhu infamously referred to the incident as a "barbequeing."

Related Topics:
Immolated - Madame Nhu

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On orders from U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Henry Cabot Lodge, the American ambassador to South Vietnam, refused to meet with Diệm. Upon hearing that a coup d'etat was being designed by ARVN Generals led by General D??ng V?n Minh, the United States gave secret assurances to the general that the U.S. would not interfere. D??ng V?n Minh and his fellow plotters overthrew the government and executed President Diệm and his younger brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, on November 1, 1963. The United States publicly expressed shock and disappointment that Diệm had been killed.

Related Topics:
U.S. President - John F. Kennedy - Henry Cabot Lodge - Ambassador - Coup d'etat - ARVN - D??ng V?n Minh - November 1 - 1963

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When Madame Nhu, visiting the United States at the time, learned of the coup d'etat, she immediately suspected the United States. She later said, "Whoever has the Americans as allies does not need enemies." Madame Nhu went on to predict a dark future for Vietnam and that, by being involved in the coup, the troubles of the United States in Vietnam were only beginning.

Related Topics:
Madame Nhu - United States

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