59. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Thailand1
104. For Peurifoy from Secretary. We have been considering here matter of Pathet Lao aggression2 and have decided this issue should be raised with Council Representatives of Manila Pact Powers in Bangkok.
Even if no concrete action should result, knowledge by Communist bloc that Manila Powers are discussing this matter3 may be of use to us in Geneva talks. Paragraph 2 of Article IV would appear be proper clause under which item would be raised.
So far as who should raise the question, I would like comments of Embassy Bangkok and Legation Laos. There might be some advantage in suggesting to Laos that they ask the Thais to introduce issue since Thailand is definitely threatened.4 Basically there would have to be a statement or complaint by Government of Laos probably in addition to statement made on July 8 (Vientiane 28 repeated Bangkok unnumbered5).
Since France and UK may not be too happy about this, it may be better to have the initiative come from the Lao and be raised by the Thai.
I would like your views urgently as to how best we should proceed to have this raised.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790.5/7–1155. Secret; Priority. Also sent priority to Vientiane for Blancke. Drafted in PSA and signed by Dulles.↩
- See also Documents 259 ff.↩
- The word “matter” in Dulles’ handwriting replaces the typed phrase “flagrant act of aggression”.↩
- The following typed sentence is crossed out after “threatened”: “(Thai Ambassador [Pote Sarasin] in conversation today appeared favor this method.)”↩
- Telegram 28, dated July 9, transmitted the text of a communiqué in which the Lao Government expressed concern over Pathet Lao activity in the province of Sam Neua. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/7–955)↩