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

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

Vientiane, September 27, 1957—8 a.m.

475. Reference Embtel 460.² … instructions from Hanoi to PL Delegation here some … days ago, burden of which was: (1) take generally conciliatory attitude (2) avoid creating situation which would embarrass Souvanna or undermine his authority. … this confirms story of his belief PL are fearful that failure to make satisfactory [progress?] in political negotiations by October 9 may result in formation new government under Katay. He claimed also to have information that PL authorities at Sam Neua prepared to be even more conciliatory than current instructions to PL delegation imply. He ascribed this development to worsening economic and political situation in both North Vietnam and Mainland China.

Bacon

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/9–2757. Top Secret. Repeated to Paris, London, Bangkok, Saigon, and Phnom Penh.
2. In telegram 460 from Vientiane, September 25, the Embassy provided a “round up of the political scene, particularly the Pathet Lao problem.” (Ibid., 751J.00/9–2557)