Office of the Historian

109. Telegram From the Embassy in the Philippines to the Department of State1

Baguio, April 16, 1959—7 p.m.

24. From Parsons. As indicated Phnom Penh 13412 fact that we failed to inform Cambodia of plotting continues to be major cause current attitude suspicion, distrust re U.S. RKG not only convinced we had this knowledge but also apparently believes our info more extensive than was actually case. Denials that we had been aware plotting would only serve increase distrust, while argumentation that our knowledge fragmentary and we not accustomed to spreading mere rumors is not very convincing.

With view eliminating or at least minimizing effect this particular cause distrust I suggest that on subject plots Dept authorize me to speak along following lines to Son Sann when I visit Phnom Penh or preferably to Prince if he there at time.

(a)
Rumors of plotting against regime came to our attention some months ago. Info was of hearsay nature and incomplete. Rather than report this gossip to RKG we considered it preferable to raise matter informally and confidentially with RTG and VNG with view dissuading them from any thought of giving support to any dissident elements. We made strong and repeated representations to both and in doing so we considered we acting as friend Cambodia and in interest improving relations among three countries concerned.3
(b)
As senior official RKG, Dap Chhuon naturally known to U.S. representatives Cambodia. However when reports reached us that he planning to oppose regime our only contact with him was to to urge he desist such action.

Durbrow, Johnson and Trimble concur in foregoing which should of course also be weighed carefully in light of Phnom Penh and Washington conversations with Cambodians.

Bohlen
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.00/4–1559. Secret. Also sent to Saigon, Bangkok, and Phnom Penh. Parsons was attending the Far East Chiefs of Mission Conference in Baguio, April 16–17. He took a subsequent tour of the Far East which included a stay in Cambodia on April 28.↩
  2. In telegram 1341, April 12, the new Ambassador to Cambodia, William C. Trimble, reported that he had presented his credentials to Son Sann and tried to dispel rumors of U.S. involvement in coups against Sihanouk. Son Sann remained skeptical and asked why the United States did not inform Cambodia of the coups. Trimble responded it was not U.S. policy to circulate rumors. Son Sann insinuated that three Americans met in Bangkok with Cambodian coup plotters, a charge that Trimble denied. (Ibid., 123–Trimble, William C.)↩
  3. In telegram 701 to Rangoon for Parsons, repeated to Phnom Penh as telegram 910 and to Saigon as telegram 1690, April 22, the Department suggested that Parsons not mention U.S. efforts in Bangkok and Saigon to discourage coups against Sihanouk. (Ibid., 751H.00/4–1659)↩