751G.00/6–2354: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State
Secto 513. Repeated information Paris 590, Saigon 203, Phnom Penh 9. Following Heath‘s conversation with Cambodian Foreign Minister reported Secto 510,1 Heath received letter from Foreign Minister of which following is rough translation:2
“Following our talk this morning, I have the honor again to express to you the concern of my government for the present and future security of Cambodia, a concern which is justified by the insufficiency of means at its disposal up to this time to provide for that security. Although lacking necessary means at present to oppose the pressure of the common enemy, Cambodia is resolved to participate in any system for the defense of world freedom.
Thus Cambodia would be tempted to refuse the proposals of the People’s Republic of China and the Viet Minh concerning prevention of the introduction of military personnel, or of arms, of the establishment of foreign bases, etc., and to devote itself to maintaining the principles for its complete sovereignty after the withdrawal of the invading troops. However, if Cambodia were not able to hope to receive assistance in personnel, armament, etc., in other words, if the conditions asked of us for the withdrawal of Viet Minh troops were in fact to be fulfilled, this refusal on our part to accept those conditions would lack any reasonable basis and would allow it to be believed that Cambodia does not wish the restoration of peace and does not even think of taking advantage of its refusal, if only during the transitory period, in order to organize itself internally and possibly to reshape its policy.
[Page 1232]In these conditions, I ask Your Excellency kindly to contemplate the possibility of letting me know to what extent Cambodia might hope for future assistance from the United States of America for the defense of its security. This would permit me to define the position of my delegation at the time of forthcoming bilateral conversations with the Viet Minh.
As soon as I have precise assurances from the Government of the United States of America, my delegation will firmly defend its position without fear of letting escape the chances of peace temporary or illusory though it may be, offered by the Communist delegations.”