Vietnam Premier Has Ties In North

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30677, 17 February 1965, Page 13

Vietnam Premier Has Ties In North

Dr. Phan Huy Quat, the Saigon physician who has formed a new Government, has been a revolutionary most of his life, hut this is belied by his scholarly face and gentle manner. Dr. Quat, aged 54, was born and educated in North Vietnam. He came south after opposing the old Viet Minh Communist regime. His northern ties could help him bring stability to South Vietnam’s Government. As the first northerner to head the Government, he is likely to go over well with northern factions who now live in the south. Dr. Quat is a leader of the Dai Viet Party, which at various times was a leading opponent to French colonial rule.

In the early 19505. he served the French Colonial Government as Education Minister and Defence Minister.

After the French departed, he was among those who opposed the Communist Government in the north. When he came south he again found himself in an opposition camp—this time against President Ngo Dinh Diem, who was killed in the military coup of November 1. 1963.

In 1960, Dr. Quat was one of the signers of the “Caravelle manifesto” denouncing the Diem regime’s “dictatorial methods.” Most of the Caravellists were gaoled by Diem, but Dr. Quat was allowed to remain free. In 1963, he was tried but acquitted. He did not come into prominence in the southern Government until LieutenantGeneral Nguyen Khanh took power in early 1964. IL was named Foreign Minister than and won a reputation as a capable administrator.

As Foreign Minister he has had personal dealings with President Johnson and topranking U.S. officials con-

cerned with South Vietnam

He was on good terms with Mr Henry Cabot Lodge, Ambassador in Saigon until last year. Dr. Quat went out of office in a reshuffle of General Khanh’s Government last October, but remained close to politics and Government affairs. Others who have taken on the post of Premier came into opposition with the many religious and political factions which have headquarters in Saigon. Of all the possibilities for Premier, Dr. Quat is considered the man with , the best chance and he seemed willing to take the chance.