511. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos1
571. Vientiane 849 repeated Paris 189 London 182 Saigon 265 Phnom Penh Bangkok unnumbered passed CINCPAC.2 We concur your recommendation interim policy.
Obvious difficulty will be paragraph 6 reference telegram, that is, how continue support during phase implementation accords without giving Lao false sense security producing unconcerned apathetic attitude toward responsibility enforce agreements.
Paragraph 7 highly important in countering erroneous impression among Lao and SEA neighbors. In this connection suggest in point re Chinese aid and diplomatic relations with Bloc we avoid implication these steps especially bad only during reassessment period. Recommend saying, instead of “Meantime, RLG can hardly undertake”, that new departures RLG foreign policy permitting further Communist penetration would undoubtedly adversely affect results reevaluation.
Re what we say to key Lao and allies, we agree substance paragraphs 1, 3, 4, and 7 should be used. We shall not do so however until notified you have handed note on recall to Souvanna.
Canadians, Australians, French and particularly British have in past few days repeatedly urged us not take drastic action and stressed necessity continue furnishing aid if Laos not to be lost. British have strongly supported Holliday view supplementary elections will be test and Laos’ foreign friends must do utmost help RLG insure victory. In reply we have expressed awareness importance our aid to Laos’ future, adding U.S. would of course take no hasty action and situation would be carefully studied. We have been noncommittal on reappraisal and how when it would take place pending word your action Vientiane.