115. Memorandum of a Conversation Between Secretary of State Herter and Secretary-General Hammarskjöld, Palais des Nations, Geneva, May 10, 1959, 11:15 a.m.1
SUBJECT
- American Activities in Southeast Asia
The Secretary said he understood Mr. Hammarskjold had some views on the subjct of the “Quiet American” in Southeast Asia. Mr. Hammarskjold replied that his Lebanese experience had somewhat colored his impression in Cambodia. The basic question, however, was to determine to what extent one could be cooperative in problems of this kind. The Secretary said he wished to make it clear that as far as any allegations of U.S. participation in plots versus Cambodia were concerned, there was absolutely nothing in it. In fact, we had made the strongest representation to both the Thais and the Vietnamese. Mr. Hammarskjold observed that the implication in the matter of the Thais and Vietnamese was obvious. Son Sann had told him that he found it difficult to believe the United States did not know about the plots and asserted that the United States should have informed the Cambodian Government. The Secretary said he would like to have an opportunity to talk further with Mr. Hammarskjold about this general matter.
- Source: Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199. Secret. Drafted by Reinhardt on May 14 and approved by Herter. The source text indicates the meeting took place in Secretary Herter’s office. He was in Geneva for the Foreign Ministers Conference which began on May 11. Robertson prepared for Herter an extensive briefing memorandum, May 7, entitled “Alleged U.S. Involvement in Cambodian Coup Plots,” for use in the meeting with Hammarskjöld. (Ibid., Central Files, 751H.00/5–759; included in the microfiche supplement)↩