156. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State1
1056. Souvanna returned from Luang Prabang this afternoon and I filled him in on strike against Ban Ken bridge.2 He was delighted to receive news that strike had been a success and even more pleased to know that we had recovered both pilots safely. I showed him copy of statement which Arthur Sylvester had issued Washington3 and told him [Page 316] we would maintain “no comment” line in response to press inquiries here. He expressed satisfaction with Sylvester’s statement and reiterated his traditional position that we must not permit ourselves to be drawn out in any further discussion this subject.
I told Souvanna that only other Lao fully briefed on this operation was General Ma, who was of course being kept informed for operational reasons. Souvanna said he preferred to leave it at that and generally felt the less said the better.4
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Immediate; Ivory; Exdis. Passed to the White House, DOD, and CIA.↩
- Two USAF jet aircraft (an F–100 and F–105) taking part in Barrel Roll Nine were lost to heavy anti-aircraft protecting the bridge.↩
- The statement made at the noon press briefing at the Department of Defense by Spokesman Sylvester stated only that the planes were shot down by ground fire in central Laos. When asked during the briefing if the planes were shot down over the Plain of Jars, Sylvester replied that they were not. (Telegram 592 to Vientiane, January 13; Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS)↩
- In telegram 600 to Vientiane, January 14, the Department informed Sullivan that in view of intense press and Congressional interest in the loss of the two planes and under what authority the United States acted, Souvanna should be prepared to field questions as to whether or not he gave permission for Barrel Roll Nine. The Department suggested Souvanna should be headed off from a direct denial. (Ibid., POL 27 VIET S)↩