 Having claimed the election was entirely without irregularities , the United States government hailed Diệm as a new hero of the " free world " . Senator Mike Mansfield ( D @-@ MT ) claimed the referendum " was a reflection of their [ the Vietnamese people 's ] search for a leader who would respond to their needs ... they sensed that Diệm could provide that kind of leadership . " Mansfield had been a professor of Asian history before entering politics ; as a result his opinions about Vietnam were more influential and held in high regard by his fellow senators . Archives of policy discussions show that the Americans were concerned more about the negative image created by Diem 's autocratic and <unk> style among the international community , rather than its possible effects on national cohesion . The US State Department spokesman said " the people of Viet @-@ Nam have spoken , and we , of course , recognise their decision " . An official congratulatory statement from the department said " The Department of State is gratified that according to reports the referendum was conducted in such an orderly and efficient manner and that the people of Viet @-@ Nam have made their choice unmistakably clear ... we look forward to a continuation of the friendly relations between the Government of Viet @-@ Nam and the United States . " 
