751J.00/1–251
The Minister at Saigon (Heath) to the Secretary of State
No. 408
Subject: Viet Minh and counter-guerrillas in Laos
On the occasion of my trip to Vientiane and Luang Prabang to present my letters of credence to King Sisavang Vong of Laos, I had long talks with the Prime Minister, Excellency Phoui Sananikone, and Crown Prince Savang (refer Legation Despatch No. 405 of January 2, 1951)1 concerning the creation of provincial counter-guerrilla forces for which armament was requested by the Laotian and French Governments (see Legtels No. 857, November 14 and No. 942, November 25, 1950).2 I was told that the French were finally able to provide somewhat heterogeneous armament, and groups totally [totalling] some 4,000 men are actually in the field. Prime Minister Sananikone, while expressing confidence that this new force would diminish rural and urban terrorism and sabotage by roaming Viet Minh bands, feared that the Viet Minh might simply increase the number and size of these bands.
[Page 339]Prince Savang, however, appeared confident that these counter-guerrilla movements would in a very short time, perhaps within a month, clear central and northern Laos of Viet Minh marauders who now operate in rather small groups of 20 to 50 men. In the south, he said, it would be somewhat more difficult because the Viet Minh are able to send in larger units and the local authorities and population are less patriotic and loyal to the throne than in the center and north. In the extreme northern part of Laos, several bands have been roaming around apparently with the idea of investigating Laos as a possible invasion route, locating sources of food, and practical transportation routes. Prince Savang was under the impression that neither Viet Minh forces nor Chinese Communists who might invade would attempt to seep southward through Laos due to the difficulty of the terrain, the lack of food and the hostility of the population.