Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXIV, Laos Crisis

250. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos⁰

Washington, December 30, 1961, 4:34 p.m.

578. Embtel 911.¹

Tentative overall package as described by Souvanna as generally acceptable with following specific comments for your guidance in further negotiations:

1. Numerical formula of 4–5–5–4-plus Souvanna proposed by Phoumi and apparently agreed to by Souvanna if neutrals held Defense and Interior. Acceptable.

2. Souvanna concurrently holding Defense with three SecState mentioned Embtel 901.² Acceptable.

3. Pheng Phongsavan in Interior acceptable provided SecState reliable and competent non-communist individual as possible such as Soukhan.

4. Since Finance more important than Foreign Affairs, suggest switching Finance to Vientiane neutrals with Foreign Affairs to best of XK neutrals, particularly as information available here is that Khoun One is considered incompetent and none of others from XK appear qualified for Finance. Consider it important to select most capable and reliable individual from available Vientiane neutrals, e.g., Thao or Impeng.

5. Khamphan Panya for Education seems good.

6. No objection Khamsing for Public Works.

7. Leuam Insisiengmay satisfactory in Religious Affairs.

8. Justice for Quinim better than Information.

9. Ngon all right for National Economy.

10. Public Works with Army Engineers under him should be attractive to Phoumi in addition to Vice-Premiership.

11. Min of Plan appears least dangerous possibility for Souphanouvong.

On basis above arrangements we believe you are in strong position to insist to Phoumi and Boun Oum that they must yield Defense and Interior to neutrals and that they must agree to further negotiations with Souvanna. With no lack of appreciation difficulty of task, our preferred result is suitable Phoumi participation in government without growls from him or Boun Oum about being let down. In event they adamant against some such solution as above, you may in your judgment exert such pressures as previously authorized.

You may feel free to go to Khang Khay if necessary and desirable to carry forward negotiations.

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/12–3061. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Queneau and Cross, cleared by Koren and by Rusk in draft, and approved by Harriman. Repeated to Bangkok, Paris, London, Saigon, Phnom Penh, New Delhi, Geneva for Fecon, and CINCPAC and pouched to Moscow.
1. See footnote 2, Document 251.
2. According to telegram 901, December 29, the Secretaries of State and Defense would include Royal Lao Government representative Bounleut, Pathet Lao representative Phoune, and Houane of Souvanna’s neutral group. (Ibid., 751J.00/12–2961)