474. Memorandum of a Conversation, Secretary Dulles’ Residence, Washington, October 6, 1957, 6 p.m.1
SUBJECT
- Call on the Secretary by His Excellency Phoui Sananikone
PARTICIPANTS
- The Secretary of State
- His Excellency Phoui Sananikone, Foreign Minister of Laos
- His Excellency Ourot R. Souvannavong, Ambassador of Laos
- Mr. Walter S. Robertson, Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs
- The Honorable J. Graham Parsons, American Ambassador to Laos
- Mr. Kenneth T. Young, Jr., Director, Office of Southeast Asian Affairs
The Foreign Minister of Laos2 called on the Secretary at his home at six o’clock. After a brief exchange of amenities, the Secretary recalled his conversations with the Foreign Minister in Vientiane two and a half years ago concerning several of the complicated problems facing Laos. The Secretary noted that the same problems still seem to be present but at least the Government of Laos has not shown any weakening, thanks to its wisdom and courage. The Foreign Minister responded that it was the duty of the Royal Government.
The Secretary stated that it was the intention of the U.S. to support a government in Laos which demonstrates an understanding of the Communist danger. The Secretary reiterated that, since the Lao Government is following what seems to us to be a wise and courageous course of action and takes into account the danger of Communist penetration and infiltration, the U.S. Government is anxious to support Laos in that policy. Unfortunately, the U.S. does not have all the means and resources it desires for assisting Laos in the light of the Congressional reductions in the Mutual Security Program; however, the Secretary told the Foreign Minister that the U.S. wishes to [Page 979] assist in the economic development and the strengthening of the Lao security forces to the extent that it can.
The Foreign Minister thanked the Secretary and said that the Lao Government is fully conscious of the measures which the U.S. Government has taken for Laos. He assured the Secretary that the U.S. could count on the Lao Government and his party while he was Foreign Minister to continue the task of combating Communism in Laos. The Foreign Minister assured the Secretary that they would not stray one bit from the path of doing everything possible for Laos. The Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for U.S. aid for which he said all Laos has been grateful and told the Secretary that the Royal Government would be very happy to have U.S. aid increased.
The Secretary replied that unfortunately the U.S. does not have all the resources it would wish and that it would not be possible to increase U.S. aid. However, the Secretary told the Foreign Minister the U.S. would do everything possible with what it had available.
The Secretary went on to state that the U.S. is somewhat concerned that our aid is not always accomplishing all the good that it could for Laos because of the irregularities and artificialities involved in the rate of exchange. The Secretary said that the U.S. would probably have more to say about this matter later through the mission in Vientiane. The Foreign Minister replied that the Lao Government is ready to discuss the modalities of a change in the rate if this is necessary. He said he had already talked to Ambassador Parsons about licensing procedures and other aspects of the problem. If the U.S. considers that this system is not perfect, the Royal Government is quite disposed to consider a change.
The Secretary then brought up the subject of disarmament and thanked the Foreign Minister for his willingness to co-sponsor the U.S. draft resolution. The Foreign Minister said that he was very glad to do this as it is an important subject. The Secretary then briefly described his conversation of the day before with the Soviet Foreign Minister.
Referring to the San Francisco Conference and the Japanese Peace Treaty, the Secretary said that it was his initiative which had brought about the inclusion of Laos, Cambodia, and Viet-Nam as conference members. He said he assumed that this was the first international gathering which Laos had attended as a sovereign independent state. He felt that it was extremely important for Laos to keep that independence. The U.S. recognizes the difficult geographic situation facing Laos and admires the courage of the country, for it is not always easy for a small country to safeguard its new independence, particularly when it lies beside a large hostile neighbor. The Foreign Minister agreed that the situation was delicate and would be impossible without American aid.
[Page 980]The Secretary then referred to the Geneva Armistice Agreement, the terms of which he felt were not well expressed, as Mr. Robertson could verify. The Foreign Minister said that he had known Mr. Robertson well at Geneva and had often sought his counsel. Mr. Robertson said that the armistice terms on Laos would have been all right if they had been carried out and if the Communists had shown good faith. Unfortunately, the problem has been complicated by the fact that the co-Chairmen and the ICC had let the Pathet Lao become an independent power and had not insisted upon strict implementation of the armistice agreement. Mr. Robertson said that it was encouraging that the new Lao Cabinet has five strong anti-Communist members.
Before leaving, the Foreign Minister said that he had to be back in Vientiane as soon as possible because there would have to be an enlargement of the Cabinet. The Secretary said that he hoped Mr. Phoui would keep the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs because he has had so much experience.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/10–657. Confidential. Drafted by Young and approved by Robertson.↩
- Phoui Sananikone traveled to New York in late September to head the Lao Delegation to the U.N. General Assembly. Phoui then traveled to Washington for consultations with U.S. officials. Briefing information for the Secretary in preparation for the meeting with Phoui is in a memorandum from Robertson to Dulles, September 4, not printed. (Ibid., 751J.13/10–457)↩