751G.00/7–2554: Telegram
Ambassador Donald R. Heath to the Department of State1
30. Sent Saigon 4, Department 30 repeated information Paris 29, Geneva 27, Bangkok unnumbered. In Prime Minister’s absence from city and Acting Foreign Minister’s illness I passed information contained Deptel 72 to Director of Cabinet in Foreign Ministry, Prince Monissara. Prince said his government understands reason for US decision but deplores it nonetheless. It is certainly necessary, he said, that US reexamine methods of getting aid to forces here, and as is well known his government had for long advocated direct receipt of US aid rather than funneling it through French. It would be foolish, he continued, to expect the Chinese not to continue supplying and training the Viet Minh armies, and it would be disastrous for Cambodia not now to receive the arms necessary to build up its forces as soon as possible to an acceptable level.
Under armistice agreement, Cambodia apparently has right (without which—Prince said—its delegation would not have signed) to solicit foreign military aid in matériel, personnel and instructors to build “efficient” defense, and to join alliances compatible with UN Charter.
His government thus hopes, Prince said, that US will see its way to beginning soonest to furnish such aid to Cambodia. He asked me to inform my government of this hope, and further that if US thinks it necessary Cambodia would agree to work out arrangement to receive such direct US aid secretly.
Interestingly enough the Minister called at my house last night and, during course conversation, said he thought that with US help Thailand could aid Cambodia and supplement trained instructors.
[Page 1879]If armistice terms intend permit Cambodia this freedom, and idea would fit into broader US policy framework, I would strongly urge immediate renegotiation or renunciation of pentalateral to permit establishment of MAAG here and discreet but effective supply and training of Cambodian troops. Otherwise, if possible, I would hope we could manage to get necessary aid to them in other ways. This nation has the will and unity necessary to contribute to own defense, and its leaders have understanding of international realities, willingness to adapt to them and friendship for US which I think would augur well for success of such enterprise.