751J.13/10–353: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
confidential
Saigon, October 3, 1953—2
p.m.
566. Repeated information Paris 167, Vientiane unnumbered. Prince Souvanna Phouma, Prime Minister of Laos, lunched with me today prior to his departure tomorrow for Paris where he is due arrive 4 p.m. local October 4. He will head Lao delegation in talks with French and expects to return to Laos within three weeks. Prime Minister made following points:
- 1.
- He is disappointed that more extensive aid has not thus far been forthcoming from STEM or other sources to implement program of military public works to which he and French command ascribe highest priority: namely, extension and improvement of runways at Vientiane Airport, improvement of airport at Seno, and road construction on vital highway from Vietnam to Vientiane. Nevertheless Souvanna Phouma is hopeful of presiding at official opening this road next November. He makes point that dry season Laos is only two or three months and that occasion will be lost this year to do much useful construction unless monetary support is forthcoming.
- 2.
- Re military situation, Prime Minister said he personally had accompanied patrols 100 kilometers northeast of Luang Prabang and was sure that Viet Minh had withdrawn from proximity of royal capital, although they still held Sam Neua. He thought brunt of forthcoming Viet Minh offensive would be against Tonkin Delta, but did not exclude possibility that if French Union forces succeeded in repelling this attack, Viet Minh would fall back against Laos in a face-saving operation for propaganda effect, claiming easy victories in the occupation of empty territory.
- 3.
- Prince said that officer training school of Laos had graduated 520 officers and NCO’s of which approximately 130 would be commissioned officers. Program for calling of four battalions to colors had been completed and these battalions were stationed respectively at Vientiane, Savannakhet, Pakse, and Luang Prabang. As of yesterday three more battalions had been mustered and would, he thought, when training was complete, be posted at Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Pakse. There was no shortage of arms or ammunition and by turn of year he hoped that Laos would have between 30,000 and 50,000 men in field. This, however, imposed severe strain on administrative services since he had mustered most of government employees and, following call up of next three battalions, there would be shortage of available manpower for construction projects.
- 4.
- Prime Minister confirmed previous reports that General Gardet present French commander in Laos, was being recalled at request of [Page 821] Lao Government because of his “maladresse” in ignoring Laos sensibilities. He did not, however, know what officer would replace general permanently, although temporary command of French Union and Lao forces has been entrusted to Colonel Crevecoeur.
Heath