461. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos1
110. British Embassy representative informed us July 30 Foreign Office, in response Holliday’s report your proposed tactics if Souvanna designated (we assume this refers Vientiane 118 repeated Paris 20 London 21 Saigon 25 Bangkok Phnom Penh Unnumbered),2 instructed Holliday that if occasion arose he could express to Lao general agreement with American colleague. He was not however to give impression U.K. trying impose detailed program on Souvanna.
In expressing pleasure British support we said we thought telegraphic reports had perhaps condensed U.S. thinking to extent U.S. course action appeared sharper than intended. We did not plan try impose detailed program on Souvanna; rather, various tactics were for use in “education” other Lao leaders in attempt maintain political climate opposed to dangerous concessions to PL. This was merely continuation effort (in which British also joined) undertaken first months this year to point out to Lao hazards of course they then pursuing. Latest conversation Souvanna (Vientiane 153 repeated Paris 26 London 27 Bangkok Saigon Phnom Penh Unnumbered3) indicated he had not changed his ideas on PL and therefore discreet effort support stiffening elements around him again necessary. If Souvanna asked we would tell him our position on coalition unchanged. We concentrating at present however on suggestions to other key figures.
British representative considered Foreign Office instruction generally accorded with our view.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/7–2057. Secret. Drafted by Byrne, cleared by Whittington, and approved by Young. Repeated to London, Paris, Saigon, Phnom Penh, and Bangkok.↩
- These tactics, as described in telegram 118 from Vientiane, July 21, concerned the composition of the Lao Government and U.S. attempts to obtain maximum commitment to Katay’s policies and a 2-month limit on negotiations with the Pathet Lao. (Ibid.)↩
- Dated July 27, not printed. (Ibid., 751J.00/7–2757)↩