751H.5 MSP/12–1053: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
997. For Bonsal. Although I do not wish to make final recommendations at this juncture, I invite your attention to Tousfo 587 December 71 setting forth proposed STEM programs for FOA/W approval in respect of Cambodia.
In present murky political atmosphere in Cambodia and given the King’s reimposed self-exile, it is not possible to discern future trends of policy in that Kingdom. However, such evidence as we have suggests that trend toward neutralism is very strong. In my view, we should not give aid to Cambodia unless it is willing to stand up and be counted in the fight against Communism.
Although actual amount of our economic aid to Cambodia is not large, political fact remains that Cambodians see unusual numbers of [Page 917] STEM personnel led by the enthusiastic McReynolds.2 This gives them inevitable impression that US Government is anxious to replace France as a principal supplier of Cambodian needs and, unlike France, free of obligations on part of Cambodia. Such a political atmosphere, particularly at time when Cambodian Government should address itself to serious problem of negotiating final independence with French Government, not conducive to furtherance of our policy in Indochina.
A further consideration is fact that, if Cambodians show irresponsible attitude or present extreme demands on France, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for Vietnamese and Laotians not to do likewise. In consequence, what Cambodia does assumes disproportionate importance throughout remainder of Indochina.