Office of the Historian

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

Washington, October 21, 1957—7:35 p.m.

414. Vientiane 598 repeated Paris 13 London 107 Saigon Bangkok Phnom Penh Unnumbered passed CINCPAC.2 Request you inform Souvanna and other Lao leaders no part body politic immune from Communist cancer and consequently government posts he contemplating giving PL cannot be considered “minor” or “non-key”. Justice, Religion, Information would enable Communists penetrate Lao society through courts, pagoda schools, and nation-wide propaganda.

You might illustrate point by citing examples Communist infiltration in countries where they did not start out (as in Czechoslovakia) [Page 996] in possession such obvious danger spots as Ministries Interior Defense. …

Guatemala affords another striking example. Soviet-controlled Guatemalan Communist Party followed classic Communist system infiltration key government agencies and establishment network interlocking political labor and “mass” youth organizations through which few carefully placed and well-disciplined Communists can control political activity large groups citizens.

Beginning with few posts in diplomatic service, labor, Department Press Propaganda Tourism, and government broadcasting station 1945, Communists were by 1954 exerting determining influence over policy Guatemalan Government and had established effective control civil administration. They concentrated not upon Army police foreign policy but upon Agrarian Reform machinery, Government information and propaganda agencies, wealthy Social Security system, and public education institutions. Administration Agrarian Reform was Communist vehicle obtain rural support; Communist infiltration government-owned information agencies resulted slow but steady molding mind Guatemalan public by broad stream Communist propaganda. Posts in Ministry Education and leadership national teachers’ union enabled Communists shape mind next generation. This was situation in mid-1954 when Castillo Armas’ forces of liberation marched in to free Guatemala from Communist rule.

We recognize Souvanna’s persistent blind faith Pathet Lao nationalist not Communist, but you should reiterate our belief movement Communist-controlled and that international Communism will direct PL to attempt follow pattern infiltration along lines outlined above.

If you deem advisable you might paraphrase foregoing in informal memorandum for Phoui and other appropriate leaders. …

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/10–1757. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Byrne and James B. Engle of WE; cleared by Young, Bayard King of the Office of Middle American Affairs (in draft), and Robertson (in substance); and approved by Jones. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, London, and Paris.↩
  2. Document 477.↩