348. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State1
1262. In discussing PL question yesterday, Souvanna revealed one of those astonishing vagaries which add so much piquancy to dealings with Southeast Asian statesmen. He said he had concluded best way to settle PL problem simply and quickly is to recall his brother Prince Petsarath. He said Petsarath enjoys confidence vast majority of PL and, if he returns to Laos and appeals to them, movement will simply dissolve. If Viets hereafter remain in naked occupation two northern provinces, they can be dealt with decisively by either diplomatic or military means. Having lit upon this happy solution PL problem, Souvanna has despatched Zieng Mao to Bangkok to discuss with Petsarath his early return. Only difficulty, Souvanna remarked, is that Crown is still unwilling to restore Petsarath’s title, until after he returns, whereas Prince insists they be restored before he returns.
While somewhat handicapped by fact person under discussion was described by Souvanna as his “beloved brother”, I raised following questions. Are PL leaders free agents who could respond to Petsarath appeal or have they not through passage of years become so committed to Communism that they are in fact only instruments of Viets and ChiComs? Souvanna replied that few hundred, including possibly Souphanouvong, might be too deeply committed to escape, but that vast majority, including some leaders, would respond to Petsarath [Page 748] appeal. He emphasized traditional hostility between Laos and Annamites. Second, I asked whether Petsarath, in order assure success his mission, might not offer PL dangerous concessions. Souvanna replied Petsarath strong Nationalist and would not do so. Finally I inquired whether Petsarath, who is man of very strong character, would not after his return insist on playing major role in affairs of Kingdom and hence endanger precariously balanced political stability. Souvanna replied his brother would be quite content to live in retirement.
Comment: This conversation demonstrates that Souvanna remains dangerously naive not only about his own family, but about PL in general. If his naivete were compounded by Petsarath’s ambition, situation might become extremely ticklish. Crown Prince has gone to Luang Prabang but, when I visit there for Lao New Year mid-April, I shall discuss this matter with him fully. I hope I have sown some doubts in Souvanna’s mind and believe Savang will reenforce them emphatically.
Katay has also left Vientiane and is about to take holiday at Thai beach resort. It is not unlikely he will also see Petsarath. However, he has far more keen grasp of realities than Souvanna. While he has for some time contemplated eventually bringing back Petsarath, part of broad program of amnesty and reconciliation among Laos (and also presumably in order set up counterweight to Crown Prince), he has never given slightest indication of intention to use Petsarath in settlement with PL.
I shall also discuss this matter with Katay at earliest opportunity. I continue to believe that return of Petsarath at this time and under circumstances envisaged by Souvanna would be likely to aggravate, rather than relieve potentially serious political stresses existing within Laos.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/3–3156. Secret. Repeated to Bangkok, Paris, Saigon, and Phnom Penh.↩