751G.00/6–2254: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation1
priority
Tosec 465. Secto 499.2 While of course unable now make specific commitment for defense Laos and Cambodia believe you could usefully say to representatives those countries Geneva we most favorably impressed with consistency and firmness position they maintained at conference to date.
Our view continues be Laos and Cambodia victims of foreign aggression and withdrawal Vietminh troops from those countries is only problem regarding them which concerns Geneva Conference.
Continue encourage Laotians and Cambodians to proclaim their peaceful intentions but warn them against making any commitments to Communist bloc which might compromise their present defenses or hinder their participation in defense arrangements which may be made hereafter.
Laotians should be warned particularly against striking any bargain with Prince Souphanouvong which might lead to coalition.3
- Drafted by Sturm of FE/PSA. Repeated to Paris as telegram 4761, to London as telegram 7041, to Tokyo as telegram 2844, to Moscow as telegram 797, to Phnom Penh as telegram 80, to Vientiane as telegram 31, and to Saigon as telegram 2699.↩
- Dated June 22, p. 1213.↩
- The U.S. Delegation in telegram Secto 524, June 25, reported that “we expressed to [Ourot] Souvannavong [Laotian Minister to Washington] the observations suggested in Tosec 465, June 23. To our particular warning against striking any bargain with Prince Souphanouvong which might lead to coalition, the Minister said he was afraid the Laotian Premier, Prince Souvanna Phouma, was not well briefed [on] Communism and dangers of entering into coalition arrangements with Communists.” (396.1 GE/6–2554)↩