751G.00/7–754: Telegram
The Chargé at Phnom Penh (Goodman) to the Department of State
[Received July 8—9:15 a.m.]
10. Sent Saigon 14, repeated information Department 10, Paris 9, Geneva 9. Both Prime Minister Penn Nouth and acting Foreign Minister Poc Thoun separately repeated to me today they pessimistic and fearful of direction Geneva Conference seems now to be taking. They said they expect that Cambodian-Viet Minh military discussions now opened at Geneva will bring Viet Minh agreement to evacuate its forces from Cambodia, but fear that Viet Minh conditions will be unacceptable. Poc Thoun said that Cambodia will not accept any settlement which visualized the “neutralization” of this country, [Page 1793] which would be nothing more than prelude to Communist takeover. However, both he and Prime Minister emphasized that thus far neither Communists nor any Western Power have approached Cambodia with feelers or speculation concerning such a possibility. Only indication that such a compromise may be building up has thus far come from apparently inspired press stories.
Prime Minister gave more detailed account of his attitude toward “neutralization”. He said he is in principle opposed to a settlement which would weaken Cambodia or limit its development of an adequate defense system. However, he would certainly examine a proposal made to Cambodia under the auspices of all the great powers which might be offered as a solution to the Indochina war. If the guarantees seemed adequate and Cambodia’s sovereignty not limited he might possibly accept such a proposal. However, he is not sanguine about the possibility, and doubts from press reports that US would be party to such a deal, in which case it very probably would not work and would be unacceptable to him.
In answer to my question both Ministers said there was no truth to June 30 UP despatch from Geneva which quoted “authoritative source” to effect that, once Geneva military meeting opened, parallel discussions would begin here. Government opposed from start idea of having discussions here since news of Viet Minh leaders in Phnom Penh would unnecessarily hearten Viet Minh in country.