751H.00/4–2753: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Japan1
2539. Saigon’s 2012 rptd Paris 314, Phnom Penh 84 and Tokyo 65.2 Please deliver following message to King of Cambodia currently in Tokyo:3
“It was an honor and a privilege to discuss with Your Majesty in Washington the problems and aspirations of Your Majesty’s Government and I am most grateful for your cordial message from San Francisco.4
“I have been fortunate in having Ambassador Heath in Washington to assist me in my study of the problems and aspirations presented by Your Majesty and I believe that, insofar as they concern the relations of Cambodia with the French Union, their solution can be found in the prompt continuance of friendly conversations between the representatives of France and of Your Majesty’s Government. The advance of Communist aggression in the neighboring kingdom to the north emphasizes the absolute necessity at this time of continued cooperation in an atmosphere of complete harmony between the authorities and military forces of Cambodia and France if Cambodia’s independence is to be preserved and assured. In this cooperative effort of Cambodia and France, the United States is happy to collaborate with its programs of arms aid and economic assistance. We are giving intense study to the possibility of improving and accelerating these aid programs the objective of which is to avoid the enslavement of your people by Communist aggression. Your Majesty’s own understanding of the situation and Your Majesty’s invaluable contribution to the maintenance of harmonious cooperation will, I know, ensure progress in the desired direction. Accept, Sire, the expression of my highest consideration and respectful best wishes.”5
Embassy Tokyo will please advise Embassies Saigon and Phnom Penh when message delivered. If King leaves Tokyo prior to delivery of message Embassy Phnom Penh should handle.
- Drafted by Philip W. Bonsal, Director of PSA, and Ambassador Donald R. Heath. Repeated for information to Saigon as telegram 2075 (also to be passed to Phnom Penh) and to Paris as telegram 5423.↩
- In the reference telegram, not printed, Chargé McClintock reported that according to French authorities in Phnom Penh, active preparations were underway to launch a rebellion against the French. General Salan, Commander of French Forces in Indochina, had asked McClintock to request Secretary Dulles to intervene with King Norodom Sihanouk. (751H.00/4–2753)↩
- In telegram 3440 from Tokyo, Apr. 29, Ambassador Robert D. Murphy reported that he had delivered the message to the King that day. (751H.00/4–2953)↩
- On his departure from the United States, the King transmitted an expression of appreciation to Secretary Dulles. The text has not been found in Department of State files.↩
- The text of a reply from King Norodom Sihanouk in Tokyo to Secretary Dulles, dated May 2, which set forth the position of the King on French-Cambodian relations, is printed in Cambodia, Livre Jaune, I, pp. 100–104. No copy of this communication has been found in Department of State files.↩