PERSONS/ENTITIES: Colby, Ngo Dinh Can DATES: 10/63 CATEGORIES: Diem OCCURRENCE: Colby explained that a couple of weeks before the assassination the thought of assassination was not aimed at Diem but at Nhu and Can, Diem's two brothers who were considered the evil influence of the government. "The idea of removing Nhu from Vietnam was one that was discussed in great detail and a great deal of pressure was put on Diem to send his brother out of the country." "At one point I made a suggestion that perhaps I could convince him of the desirability of leaving the country for the benefit of his own, of the country itself. That I could go over and argue him into it." I think this is the separable thing from the actual decision to shoot Diem. I think the decision to shoot Diem was a conscience decision taken by the generals which came as a very new development during the coup, but let's face it. SOURCE: "A government." Pages 53-54 STAFF: Dawson FILE: Hearings, SSCI, June 20, 1975, Colby DATE: 7/1/75 PERSONS/ENTITIES: Nhu, Ngo Dinh Can, Conein DATES: 11/2/63 CATEGORIES: Diem OCCURRENCE: Conein stated that at no point in the climatic days leading up to the assassination was there a discussion of the killing of Diem. Further, there had never been any discussion at any time about Diem himself being killed by anybody. In fact, the generals and many people wanted Diem to be around but they could not stand Nhu and Madame Nhu, Diem's wife. Page 64-66. SOURCE: Hearings, SSC, Conein, June 20, 1975 STAFF: Dawson