340. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State1
971. Department pass Defense and CINCPAC. Following is gist of conversation this morning with Crown Prince:
Savang expressed view that, in light PL reply to ICC January 7 Resolution,2 political settlement of problem two northern provinces is indefinitely adjourned. Resolutions and correspondence will doubtless be exchanged for months but Chinese Communists have obviously decided not to restore provinces. Only hope of recovering them within foreseeable future is, therefore, by force.
I inquired whether by force he meant overt military offensive. He replied categorically in negative, stating such offensive would jeopardize Laos international standing and provoke Viet intervention. He referred exclusively to intensified auto-defense operation. At this point he made earnest and prolonged plea for prompt US aid for this operation, stating that:
- (1)
- Operation has been proceeding well so far,
- (2)
- ANL leaders in northern districts are creating effective organization,
- (3)
- Organization will wither away unless aid and guidance provided promptly and steadily,
- (4)
- What are required are firm political and military direction and additional equipment,
- (5)
- Former will be provided when new government is set up end this month and projected changes in general staff are carried out,
- (6)
- Equipment of character outlined to us by Colonel Ouan is immediately required. I told Prince his request is being sympathetically and urgently studied in Washington and I hoped to have reply very shortly.
In response to my query re his view of Chinese Communist intentions, he said he had heard rumors they would offer to restore northern provinces if RG would exclude US influence from Laos. He [Page 738] said he had nothing concrete on this point and that if such offer were made it would, of course, be rejected.
I asked how he felt about Chinese Communist proposal to hold new Geneva conference.3 He replied Lao experience with first conference had been extremely unpleasant and he would not welcome another. If it took place presumably either PL would participate on equal basis with RG or Viets would represent PLs if either of these alternatives would be totally unacceptable to RG. RG position is Lao problem can be resolved simply by prompt and faithful execution of ICC January 7 Resolution. I said I was sure my government would not favor another Geneva conference at this time. Savang replied he was delighted to hear it.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751].00/2–356. Top Secret. Repeated to London, Paris, Ottawa, New Delhi, Bangkok, Saigon, and Phnom Penh.↩
- See Document 334.↩
- See vol. I, p. 628, footnote 2.↩