Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, East Asia-Pacific Region; Cambodia; Laos, Volume XVI

131. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Thailand¹

Washington, January 22, 1960—2:20 p.m.

1735. Bangkok’s 1801² and Phnom Penh’s 847.³ Defer Embassy Bangkok’s judgment on futility general approach to RTG in absence convincing demonstration improvement in Cambodia. Unfortunately any such marked improvement beyond evidences already summarized Deptel 1649 to Bangkok⁴ and Phnom Penh’s 824⁵ may be slow in developing unless tensions with neighbors relaxed.

Department however still disturbed over possibility Sarit’s opinions [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] may revive Thai interest in actively supporting opposition elements Cambodia. Therefore suggest Embassy Bangkok take next appropriate opportunity advise RTG that on basis recent careful assessment political situation Cambodia we conclude Sihanouk now in even stronger position than recent past, he enjoys support all major sources and instruments power in Cambodia and that what dissatisfaction exists is muted, disorganized, not directed at his foreign policy and represents no appreciable threat to his position. Detailed treatment these points in Phnom Penh’s 847 may be used as desirable to support presentation. This suggestion subject Phnom Penh’s concurrence and any cautions it may wish recommend.

Merchant

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.11/1–1260. Secret. Drafted by Askew, cleared by SEA, and approved by Steeves. Also sent to Phnom Penh and repeated to Saigon.
2. See footnote 2, supra.
3. Document 129.
4. See footnote 2, Document 129.
5. In telegram 824, December 24, Ambassador Johnson reported that Foreign Minister Thanat had raised the possibility of U.S.-Thai consultations on what Thanat considered to be the deterioration of the situation in Cambodia. (Department of State, Central Files, 851H.05193/12–2459)