President Ngo Dinh Diem and the Election of April 9, 1961: Addresses, Statements, Programme, page 13 (candidacy statement)

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That task, we together took six years to achieve. This period of time, comparatively short, makes the result meritorious ; it also explains the deficiencies.

We had to work quickly, start a speed race in order not to be bogged down in an underdeveloped status and not to be paralyzed by the skepticism and intrigues of some people or by insecurity created by the Communist enemy who is all the more eager to undermine our regime as it grows stronger every day.

There is still much to be done and perfect, as much from the organizational as from the working methods standpoint. Parallel to the legitimate satisfaction with our attained achievements, our common mission of national renovation requires from each of us greater efforts and sacrifices in all fields.

My dear compatriots,

In the past few days, innumerable resolutions were sent to me by people in all walks of life from everywhere in the national territory. These testimonies of confidence have deeply touched me and made me realize how much it is necessary, to be worthy of such confidence, that I continue the work.

It is therefore with full awareness of the immense difficulties which lie ahead, but with the firm conviction that thanks to the active cooperation of all of you as in 1955, we will take another positive step forward, that I make it a duty today to go again to the Vietnamese people to seek the honour of a second presidential term of office, with, as the vice presidential candidate, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tho, my faithful fellow combatant for these six years whose patriotism and devotion to service of the people in the most trying hours have greatly contributed to the prosperity of the country.

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