Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, East Asian Security; Cambodia; Laos, Volume XXI

197. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State¹

Paris, March 25, 1955—8 p.m.

4112. Embtel 4075.² In conversation today including Roux and Young, Roux gave us informal memo dated March 24 outlining present state French thinking on Cambodian Army training responsibility. Free translation text follows:

“French Government considers it normal that American Government, furnishing important military assistance to Cambodia, is preoccupied with uses that aid.

“Like American Government, it is convinced that nothing in aid that the two governments provide to Cambodia, ought to appear to derogate from the independence and sovereignty of that country.

“On other hand, a French military mission already exists in Cambodia, and Khmer Government neither desires its withdrawal nor its present powers limited.

“Finally, Cambodia is bound by Geneva Accords and it would be contrary to spirit these Accords that American military influence appear to be substituted for French influence.

“In light these considerations French Government considers that two governments ought adopt following principles in their action toward development Khmer Armed Forces:

• “(1) The chief of MAAG will present to HM the King, Commander-in-Chief, all suggestions that he will judge useful concerning the organization of the Khmer Armed Forces, the standards for use and maintenance of the matériel furnished by us.
• “French Government desires that these suggestions be prepared in agreement with the chief of French military mission.
• “(2) French military mission will retain under overall authority of (sous l’haute autorite de) HM entire responsibility for the direct instruction of Khmer Armed Forces the execution of which it will insure of all levels.”

Re numbered paragraph 1 above, we suggested and Roux agreeable, adopt following modification as starting point, “Chief MAAG will present to HM, the King, Commander-in-Chief, with view to their being put into effective operation all suggestions he will judge useful concerning organization and training of Khmer Armed Forces, the standards etc.”

At this juncture we provided Roux copy text note sent Leng Ngeth March 12 (Phnom Penh’s 298³ and 297;⁴ and Deptel 3226⁵).

Re numbered paragraph 2 above, we emphasized and Roux in agreement necessity officers assigned American military mission Cambodia being placed in position at battalion, division and chief of staff level Khmer Armed Forces to ensure application US military organization and training doctrines.

Roux stressed point that France no longer insisting that chief French military mission be adviser to King as indicated reference telegram and importance they now attach to separateness respective roles French and US military commanders with King serving as formal channel for American suggestions to French commander. We reserved US position and said we would convey our views on French working draft as soon possible.

Achilles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.5/3–2455. Secret. Repeated to Phnom Penh and Saigon.
2. In telegram 4075, March 24, the Embassy reported that Roux of the French Foreign Ministry had asked for a draft working paper outlining the Secretary’s formula for Cambodian training responsibilities. The Embassy was noncommittal, it reported, believing it undesirable to present the French with a written document and thus reduce U.S. negotiating flexibility. (Ibid., 751H.5/3–2355)
3. Telegram 757 from Phnom Penh to the Department of State, repeated to Paris as 298, March 14, contained texts in English and French of the note of March 12 sent to Leng Ngeth. The English text reads as follows:

   “Excellency: I have the honor to inform you that continued US aid on support of the Cambodian military establishment will be conditional upon its proper utilization, including the implementation of training and organizational reform to be suggested by the chief of the United States military assistance advisory group.” (Ibid., 751H.5–MSP/3–1455)

4. Dated March 14, not printed. (Ibid.)
5. Telegram 3226, March 16, responded to a request from the Embassy (telegram 757 from Phnom Penh) for guidance on divulging the text of the March 12 note to the French High Commissioner in Phnom Penh. The Department instructed the Embassy as follows:

   “No objection disclosure text note to French High Commissioner. However stress note not to be made public and purpose not prejudice question training mission which still subject French-U.S.-Cambodian agreement. Leave timing disclosure to you but inform Department and Paris when made so that French Foreign Office and French Embassy can be informed.” (Ibid.)