892.014/7–3046: Telegram
The Minister in Siam (Stanton) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 1—6:55 p.m.]
882. 1. Informed Foreign Minister substance Deptel 632, July 27 and told him Department considered French proposals so important believed government should consider them and instruct delegation prior to departure. Above considered at Cabinet meeting this morning and decision reached to postpone departure delegation. This decision arrived at only after much discussion and manoeuvering behind scenes, Foreign Minister having informed me earlier that he and Prime Minister felt delegation should proceed as scheduled.
2. Foreign Minister told me confidentially they had received word from Washington that French intended ask case be referred International [Page 1045] Court; that Siamese Government would find it “very awkward” to agree to such proposal from the French; that government, Assembly and people were in agreement to submit case to Security Council and that they still want decision by that body. He asked that foregoing be conveyed to Department as from Siamese Government.
It is clear that Siamese dislike idea of agreeing to proposal from French refer case to Court. However, possible it might be willing to do so if following consideration of case by Security Council, the latter ruled that dispute should be referred to Court. Personally I feel that if Siamese, as they appear to be prepared to do, make oral or written statement before Security Council recognizing pre-war status disputed territories, there would not be much point in referring question validity 1941 agreement to Court.
3. Learned from Foreign Minister that, while Siamese hope and will urge some portions disputed territories be returned to them and middle of Mekong River established as boundary, they do not expect any very favorable decision. Their chief concern seems to be that Security Council should render a decision in the premises.