354. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State1
1529. I had occasion see Prime Minister on routine matter today. At close he said had something to show me which not yet “divulged”. This was brief letter addressed to him as Prime Minister, dated Peking May 7 signed Chou En-lai, inviting him visit Peking as guest of ChiCom Government; said in effect such visit would surely be to mutual benefit both countries and contribute to good relations, asked he reply at convenience. Original was in Chinese with typed copy in English, latter unsigned but with handwritten certification. Souvanna said routing had been through Indian Embassy Peking via New Delhi to Indian Legation Vientiane. He had asked Indian Chargé, when latter delivered letter, whether he had been responsible [Page 764] for invitation; Rajkumar said no, assured him letter had arrived unexpectedly.
Souvanna said he had not yet had chance to consult King’s Council, and must also seek advice of King and Crown Prince before taking position. If trip developed he was thinking of swing through Saigon, Phnom Penh, Bangkok—riding boundaries of Laos as it were—and would include Hanoi if invited. Such trip could not begin til late August or September, after Congress had finished discussion of constitutional revision.
Prime Minister asked what I thought. I cautiously said invitation, while not wholly unexpected, must certainly be considered with greatest circumspection. I reminded Souvanna he had said he would not entertain thoughts of Peking till internal Pathet Lao problem settled, and asked what was new on that. This led to his also showing me letter just received from Souphannavong, which being reported separately.2 Reverting to Chou En-lai I said it appeared ChiComs might be about to offer economic aid, and there would undoubtedly be hidden strings to it. Souvanna asserted under no circumstances whatsoever would he permit Commie experts or technicians enter Laos, as they were nuclei for Commie propaganda and subversion; he would under no conditions allow Laos to become Communized. Souvanna however seemed have idea ChiComs might simply offer money or goods as goodwill gesture. I was skeptical, and warned Commies would try disengage Laos from its commitment to Western, notably U.S., aid as price of general rapprochement. Prime Minister said they would never do this: he had made his policy clear, that Laos needed all aid it could get and would accept any with no strings [Page 765] attached. As for SEATO, he had already made clear to Burchett that Laos had no commitment to it anyway.
Prime Minister said one positive thing he would like to achieve with ChiCom is modus vivendi regarding joint frontier. Chinese minorities, mostly of Lu tribe, lived both sides border in Muong Sing area, and many from other side were taking refuge in Laos. Royal Governor was understandably worried less ChiComs use this as pretext to intervene.
Comment: Souvanna was obviously surprised by invitation, is flattered and would like to go. Presumably he will see Crown Prince soon, as we hear Royal party coming to Vientiane in several days. Meanwhile he will probably consult King’s Council. (He asked I preserve utmost discretion on matter, reporting only to Department of State, as he had not yet told anyone. His showing me invitation voluntarily probably owed to my fortuitous arrival at right moment.) I doubt Crown Prince or Council will take firm stand against ultimate acceptance, not wishing offer gratuitous rebuff to powerful neighbor. Possible factor to play with is timing. Katay will visit U.S. in July, or possibly in August if parliamentary discussion of constitution drags on. Souvanna himself had planned go to New York for U.N. session November, and would presumably expect to visit Washington while there (altho he has not said this). We should therefore be able to offset effects of a Peking visit.
Would appreciate early guidance. Crown Prince’s coming to town on or about May 31 would offer excellent and logical opportunity to make known our position before situation jells.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.51J93/5–2956. Top Secret; Priority. Repeated to New Delhi, Bangkok, Saigon, and Phnom Penh.↩
- In telegram 1531 from Vientiane, May 29, Blancké reported that Souvanna had told him that Pathet
Lao leader Souphannavong had requested a meeting at Sam Neua after
June 20. According to Blancké, Souvanna
was prepared to meet his brother in Sam Neua and thought of it “as
chance show flag in area.” Blancké and Souvanna both noted that in Souphannavong’s letter
requesting the meeting no mention was made of the recent Geneva
cochairmen’s meetings on Laos (which Blancké reported Souvanna termed as “wash out”) nor the ICC resolution of January 7, 1956,
which Souvanna promised to
push as the basis of the negotiations arising from the meeting.
Blancké commented that he
did not like Sam Neua as a venue since it was Pathet Lao ground and
implied equality between conferees. Blancké reported he would attempt to win Lao leaders
to this point of view. (Ibid.,
751J.00/5–2956)
The question of these negotiations was raised at the 286th meeting of the NSC on May 31 by Allen Dulles:
“Mr. Dulles said that he also wished to call the Council’s attention to a potentially dangerous development in Laos. The Prime Minister of that country was planning to meet his half-brother, the leader of the Pathet Lao forces, at some point within Pathet Lao territory. Since the Laotian Prime Minister was not a strong character, such a meeting could have serious results. Mr. Dulles speculated as to whether this Government should try to dissuade the Laotian Prime Minister from going to the proposed meeting.” (Memorandum of discussion by Gleason, June 1; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
↩