892.014/6–846: Telegram
(The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffrey)
2749. Dept has received note from French Ambassador83 reviewing Siam–Indochina border incidents and urging that United States intervene [Page 1017] with Siamese Govt to take necessary steps to maintain order along border and to return unconditionally territories acquired by Siam in 1941.
After waiting no longer than June 12 to give Brit opportunity for simultaneous action as indicated final paragraph this message please seek appointment with Bidault84 and speak to him along following lines:
This Govt is becoming increasingly disturbed by continuing reports of friction along Siamese-Indochinese border. The French Govt is aware of our policy with respect to the unconditional return by Siam of the territories they acquired in 1941, and our position has been made known to Siamese Govt on numerous occasions. In view of the delicate political situation in Siam, however, and the interest of all countries in Siamese rice exports, which threaten to be held up by continuance or aggravation of present situation, we regard it as of utmost importance that the French Govt indicate publicly that when the disputed territories are retroceded it will be prepared to proceed in the friendliest manner to adjustment of the boundaries between Siam and Indochina with a view to establishing a mutually satisfactory frontier.
(For your info Dept believes for optimum benefit to be derived from such statement and also for permanent stability and peace, post-restoration examination of border should provide border determination in terms of real situation, divorced from legal and historic claims of both sides, taking into account such factors as security, economic geography, ethnography and the autonomy France is now conferring on Cambodia and Laos within Indochina federation. (See Deptel 4637 October 5, 1945;85 Memorandum Conservation Lacoste and Moffat October 16.)86 Dept would not, however, wish you to press for statement along these lines if it would jeopardize chances of obtaining any suitable statement.)
If statement is made we would be prepared once again to urge the Siamese Govt to put an end to their delays in handing back territory in question and to take every step within their power to disarm and disperse unruly elements in area of recent troubles.
As French are aware, the Siamese have sent a memorandum to Secretary General of U.N., who has in turn informed members of the Security Council. While no action has yet been taken to place question on the Security Council’s agenda, there is no assurance that such action may not be taken at any time by any member of the Council. Furthermore, there are indications that Siamese Govt has under consideration possibility of placing matter before U.N. as a dispute under [Page 1018] Section 35 (2) of the Charter. In either contingency this Govt would be compelled, in accordance with its well-established policy, to favor permitting Siam a full and fair hearing. Once the question is formally placed on agenda of Security Council it is impossible to foresee what ultimate consequences may be. In the circumstances, it seems to us clearly in best interests of France as well as of general world situation, that immediate steps be taken by French Govt to prevent the situation from getting out of hand and assuming an importance which it does not intrinsically possess. We feel that a statement on French initiative along the suggested lines would do much to counteract recent exaggerated Siamese statements and thereby lessen likelihood of matter becoming an issue before U.N.
Rptd to London as 4585 with request that effort be made to persuade Brit Govt to make similar representations to Paris. Reptd to Bangkok as 478 for information.
- No. 358, June 3, 1010.↩
- Georges Bidault, French Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩
- Not printed; it summarized the note of October 1, 1945, to the French Ambassador, Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. vi, p. 1346.↩
- Ibid., p. 1358.↩