469. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State1
264. Embtel 183, Deptel 126.2 I saw Souvanna a.m. 16th and made points on economic aid aspects of investiture speech substantially as provided reftels. Also made clear that fact I was taking exception to these aspects of speech did not indicate we agreed with all else therein. My reference to continuance policy set forth November 13 letter evoked no counterstatement as it always used to on need settle PL problem along lines his policy. In part this may be because he is weary of our long confrontation but I believe it was mainly because both he and I were aware there is so little chance now for him to carry his policy out. Principal reaction was quick affirmation by Souvanna that problem of Chinese Communist aid would not present itself for long time as draft five-year plan was badly drawn up and he had given orders re-do it completely. Although I would rather he had rejected possibility serious consideration Chinese aid on principle and not merely because of planning delays within government I did not think it worthwhile debate subject particularly as his reply was in part facesaving (Katay–Phoui will probably call tune on problem).
Almost immediately after my presentation Souvanna turned to three points which he eager for US aid and on which he will write me, namely, 1) re-education center for refugees and defectors, eventually for former PL defectives (this is old subject); 2) increase in Lao police force to combat subversion and disorder; and 3) low cost housing for junior civil servants in lieu of salary increase (a point in his investiture program).
I took this opportunity ask if Souphanouvong’s departure had any significance. As expected, reply was merely that he wished [Page 968] attend to personal and family affairs and that his wife was ill. … next week I should learn background which is rumored to include sharp exchange of letters between two brothers. In any event PL–VM undoubtedly needed Souphanouvong’s presence to aid in planning tactics for next round. They may also have feared effect on him of soft life in Vientiane.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.13/8–957. Secret. Repeated to Paris, London, Saigon, Phnom Penh and Bangkok.↩
- Telegram 126 is printed as Document 462. Regarding telegram 183, see footnote 3 thereto.↩