The diplomats did soften their opposition a bit a few weeks afterward, in late November 1961, when they found Diem still reluctant to implement the governmental changes they advocated, including giving the United States a significant say in South Vietnamese decision-making. Diem saw that as a return to colonialism, this time under the Americans rather than the French.44 At that point, State suggested, just as Elbridge Durbrow had done in 1960, that Lansdale go to Saigon “and, presumably, clobber [Diem] from up close.”45 At least that was how Lansdale interpreted the request, which he adamantly
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