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

432. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos¹

Washington, April 16, 1957—7:20 p.m.

1324. Department’s 1303 repeated Paris 4095 London 7196 pouched other addressees.² This morning Robertson handed to Ourot text contained reference telegram (Quai French translation attached) as U.S. reply to RLG February 22 Note.

In commenting Robertson said we should like emphasize what is stated in Note. That is at Geneva Conference 1954 there had been unequivocal recognition sovereignty RLG over all Lao territory including two disputed provinces. Under Geneva Agreements PL, which we and Ourot knew were controlled by Viet Minh, had no right of any kind interpose conditions upon which they would accept Geneva terms. If conditions for acceptance existed they should have been stated at Geneva by PL sponsors Chou and Dong. There had been no conditions but only flat statement sovereignty resided RLG. When PL brought in extraneous issues like neutrality, aid from Communist Bloc and coalition government, they making demands which had nothing to do with settlement envisaged Geneva. We believed therefore that RLG would be entirely correct insisting original Geneva Agreement be carried out.

We noticed PL attempted dictate Lao foreign policy. We thought however that foreign policy was responsibility duly constituted government. We not arguing pros and cons neutrality, but believed country’s foreign policy should be carefully considered by constituted authorities and not dictated by dissident groups in rebellion against legitimate government.

Robertson added British, French, U.S. replies being delivered today Washington, Paris, London and that information copies would be given Lao Foreign Ministry next few days. We contemplated publication Washington, Paris, London, Vientiane some time after Easter holidays. Precise date would be subject consultation four governments but we suggested it be early next week.

Ourot received Note favorably, stating he hoped RLG would be satisfied since it appeared to him good assurance Western support Lao efforts preserve liberty. He announced intention cable text Vientiane today, mentioning coalition, aid from Communist Bloc, and neutrality as examples PL extraneous demands, and would inform RLG Note should be considered secret until publication on date after Easter to be agreed upon by four governments.

For Vientiane: We have concurred British French proposal Souvanna be given chance join in on publicity and have accepted advisability avoiding publication during long Easter week-end. This would mean that if Souvanna should decline disseminate text Vientiane we could do so next week knowing he had been given ample time consider matter. Since Secretary may hold press conference April 23, date British suggested for release Note, we proposing simultaneous publication 12:15 p.m. Washington time April 24, when regular Department news conference takes place.³ We shall attempt brief small group newsmen beforehand.

In order discuss publication with Souvanna, believe necessary you deliver not send information copy Note (with French translation from Gassouin) April 18. Request you comment along lines Robertson’s remarks to Ourot. You should add we contemplate publication after Easter and suggest simultaneous release four Capitals would be appropriate. We shall wire release date time when agreement reached with British French.

We understand Foreign Office instructed Holliday take publication for granted when speaking to Souvanna but added that if Souvanna objected strongly to publication Foreign Office would naturally give consideration to anything he might have say. We shall if necessary press for publication in any event.

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/4–1657. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Byrne, cleared by Kocher, and approved by Robertson. Repeated to Paris, London, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Ottawa, and New Delhi. A briefing memorandum, April 16, from Young to Robertson for use in preparation for this meeting is ibid.
2. See footnote 7, Supra.
3. The note was released at that time on April 24. For text as released (which was identical to the draft as approved by Robertson attached to the memorandum, supra), see Department of State Bulletin, May 13, 1957, pp. 771–772.