Office of the Historian

182. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Cambodia1

Washington, January 24, 1955—7 p.m.

311. Joint State/Defense message. You authorized begin negotiation MAAG bilateral with Cambodian Government. On grounds overriding political consideration Defense no longer insists on JCS prerequisite requiring written guarantees eventual withdrawal French instructors. However both State and Defense agree following text to replace language paragraph four Deptel 99 info Paris 1383 Saigon 15312 as sentence to be inserted in a written declaration by Cambodia (not to be made public) to be initialled at time signing bilateral.

“The Cambodian Government recognizes that the actual direction of an effective program in fields of military training and organization must be vested in a single authority and declares that full authority for assisting the Government of Cambodia in the organization and training of its armed forces shall be exercised by the Chief of the United States Military Assistance Advisory Group on a date to be determined by Chief MAAG”.

Use original 17 September 1954 text bilateral as modified Deptel 190 info Saigon 2334 pouched Paris.3

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As you aware MAAG bilateral may heighten French sensitivity U.S. activities not only Cambodia but also Viet-Nam and Laos. Therefore you requested keep French informed U.S. proposals (including substance confidential declaration) progress negotiations and seek their concurrence thereto.

Success MAAG operation will to large extent depend upon French cooperation. You should therefore make every effort stress our joint objectives and necessity close French-U.S. cooperation Cambodia, particularly desirability cooperation French military instructors with MAAG.

FYI: State and Defense consider French instructors will be required in initial stages only.

Keep Department Paris and Saigon informed your progress so that French there can be kept current.

Regarding aid agreement assume you will proceed negotiate along lines Deptel 290.4

For Paris: You should inform La Chambre substance less FYI of foregoing.5 Department will inform French Embassy.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.5–MSP/1–2455. Top Secret; Priority. Drafted by Purnell; cleared by S/MSA, L/T, G, EUR, FOA, and the Department of Defense; and approved by Robertson. Repeated priority to Saigon, Paris, and Vientiane.↩
  2. Paragraph 4 of telegram 99 to Phnom Penh, October 13, 1954, reads as follows:

    “As the Government of France has announced its willingness to withdraw French troops from Cambodia upon the request of the Cambodian Government, it is understood that the Government of Cambodia, in consultation with U.S. authorities in Phnom Penh, intends to request the progressive withdrawal of French instructors and technicians as their services become no longer required.” (Ibid., 751G.5–MSP/10–1354)

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  3. The modification contained in telegram 190 to Phnom Penh, December 8, 1954, reads as follows:

    “My Government is prepared, subject to the requirements and limitations of any applicable United States legislation and on the basis of the understandings set forth in paragraph one of the notes exchanged between our two Governments on December 19 and 28, 1951, to furnish military assistance directly to the Kingdom of Cambodia, including the assignment of personnel to perform mutually agreeable advisory and non-combatant services in aid of Cambodia’s defense program.” (Ibid., 751H.5–MSP/12–854)

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  4. Dated January 19, not printed. (Ibid., 751H.5–MSP/1–1555)↩
  5. Done according to telegram 3150 from Paris, January 26, although the Embassy, in La Chambre’s absence, informed M. Clarac, Cabinet Director of the Ministry of Associated States. (Ibid., 751H.5–MSP/1–2655)

    In telegram 3174 from Paris, January 27, the Embassy reported, on the basis of further discussions with French Foreign Ministry authorities, their view that the official French reaction to the U.S.-Cambodian negotiations would be unfavorable.(Ibid., 751H.5–MSP/1–2755)

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