751H.00/7–151: Telegram
The Consul at Phnom Penh (Catlett) to the Secretary of State
Unnumbered. Re mytel 64 June 25 to Saigon.1 As date approaches for Natl Assembly electoral campaign French Commissioner becoming more perturbed over prospects. He feels free and honest elections cannot be held under conditions which will prevail during foreseeable future and that only result will be unrest and bloodshed with those candidates with most armed forces winning elections. It wld be only natural that polit parties will seek support bandit chiefs by making promises which can only mean further instability and corruption.
[Page 442]In recent conversation, he said that most of his Cambodian friends, including King, admit in private conversation elections undesirable now, but usually make public statements in opposite sense. Altho Commissioner moderate in his comments on King, other French officials more critical King’s weakness. They point out King not only forced Regency take responsibility forming govt organizing elections, but also conveniently absent on incognito trip Saigon at time decree issued setting date elections. These officials believe King building up alibi for future as he fears elections will be failure.
Commissioner concedes full right Cambodians to elections but he points out French responsible for public security. If coercion used in elections, he will have no course other than order French troops intervene and if disorder widespread will take any measures necessary for security. He aware such actions wld be criticized by Cambodians as infringement their sovereignty but he believes public security more important than such possible criticism.
I cannot arouse same concern as does Commissioner over probable corrupt deals between polit parties and bandit chiefs as such deals merely normal here. Problem public security more serious, but govt under pressure to improve security during electoral campaign and with aid French troops may be able minimize disturbances.2