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

421. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State¹

Vientiane, February 5, 1957—11 a.m.

1275. USUN NY for Kenneth Young. Presumably as result my bringing up matter with Prime Minister January 19 in connection RLG memo on policy PL problem (Embtel 1154²) we have now received secret reply to our aide-mémoire delivered November 6 last on specifics integration PL effectives (Embtel 731;³ Embassy despatch 81⁴). Reply dated February 2 is not from Prime Minister as customary but from Minister Foreign Affairs signed Bouasy.⁵ Begin summary translation:

Minister Foreign Affairs presents compliments and has honor make known to Embassy its reply to aide-mémoire November 6, with view setting forth RLG position on question integration PL effectives into Lao Armed Forces.

a. Reasons which determine RLG action in the matter are following:

(1) concern for attaining real unification of country, both on moral plane and from political and military viewpoints;

(2) respect for Geneva agreements and declarations as well as joint declarations August 5 and 10 and agreement December 28, 1956.

b. Whatever governments concern may be scrupulously to avoid any reprisal or discriminatory measure, integration of PL effectives will take into account, in strictest manner possible, following safeguards (reservations):

(1) screening of integrees; (2) limitation these effectives in terms of the prescribed tables of effectives of an ANL capable of being reduced to 15,000.

Would be premature and ill-advised define at this juncture detailed methods which will be adopted for screening and percentage of PL to be integrated.

c. RLG takes note of financial dispositions envisaged by US Government respecting payment of costs which might arise from PL integration.

d. Finally, RLG agrees with US Government that question of military integration should be reconsidered “in the light of the political settlement obtained by the RLG in its current dealings with the Pathet Lao representatives” (CF., aide-mémoire November 6, 1956, at end).

Complimentary close; end summary.

In quoting aide-mémoire above, note uses exact text our French version (see Embassy despatch 81 last paragraph).

Department will recall that at time aide-mémoire presented to him (reference despatch) Souvanna was receptive and took no issue with our position; to contrary he urged us get together with Chief Staff to follow up training camp project, which was done without much effect.

Parsons

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/2–557. Secret. Repeated to London, Paris, Bangkok, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Ottawa, and USUN.
2. Document 416.
3. Document 391.
4. See footnote 2, Document 391.
5. The text of this note, in English and French versions, was transmitted in despatch 141 from Vientiane, February 7, not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 751G.00/2–757)