523. Telegram From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State1
208. In response DCM query Foreign Minister Thanat Khoman yesterday replied emphatically he would discuss Vietnamese refugee question during Saigon visit, for which he departs Bangkok July 30. As in past Thanat expressed impatience South Vietnam unwillingness agree any prompt effective action. He added Thais unwilling wait several years see solution this problem or arrange for South Vietnam come in to “brain-wash” refugees. DCM observed that although initiation some action toward solution urgently required, nature this problem suggests it may well require extended period achieve solution; added personal view South Vietnam may now have better appreciation Thai problem than earlier.
Thanat confirmed Thai–DRV Red Cross talks Rangoon to be resumed tomorrow. Reiterated his fundamental doubts any useful results but indicated DRV Red Cross has referred to possible return as many as 40,000 to North Vietnam. In separate conversation Foreign Office Under Secretary Prince Wongsa, who accompanied Thanat Rangoon, also mentioned possibility Thais would have to accept DRV representative in Thailand to participate in screening in connection any repatriation North Vietnam.
[Page 1082]Although we believe Thais do not expect results from Rangoon talks they may consider it useful keep them alive as pressure on South Vietnam during Thanat’s discussions Saigon.2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 292.51G22/7–2859. Confidential. Repeated to Saigon, Rangoon, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, and Tokyo.↩
- Telegram 329 from Saigon, August 1, reporting on the talks in Saigon, indicated that the Thai had refused a South Vietnamese request to send a commission to Thailand to look into the condition of the refugees. The Vietnamese had also reiterated their position that the refugees had to be politically “purged” before progress could be made toward a solution. (Ibid., 292.51G22/8–159)↩