Office of the Historian

136. Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Southeast Asian Affairs (Anderson) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Parsons)1

Washington, June 1, 1960.

SUBJECT

  • Sihanouk’s “Open Letter”2 and Subsequent Developments

Sihanouk’s Accusations

Embassy Phnom Penh has termed (Tab A) Sihanouk’s public rebuttal (Tab B) to Ambassador Trimble’s letter (Tab C) a “vicious attack on the Ambassador”.3 It suggests the Department may care either to publish the Ambassador’s letter or plant a question in the Secretary’s next press conference to permit expression of regret over Sihanouk’s evident misunderstanding and reiteration of US policy toward Cambodia.

Since Sihanouk denied—albeit perhaps dishonestly—that his “Open Letter” had been aimed at President Eisenhower, the US Government, US Ambassadors, the US people or the US nation, I believe you may wish to review the proposal to raise the matter with Ambassador Nong Kimny. I suggest we take no additional action on Sihanouk’s accusations for the time being. Under present conditions any further move on our part is apt not to produce constructive results and is more likely to add fuel to the fire.

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Threat to Refuse US Aid

Embassy Phnom Penh also comments (Tab A) that as illogical as it may seem, it is conceivable that Sihanouk’s outburst may lead the RKG to request termination of US aid. Unquestionably such a move would entail most serious consequences for the US position in the area and should be avoided if possible. However, the threat probably arises mainly from Sihanouk’s present disturbed mood and does not as yet represent either Sihanouk’s, or the RKG’s, considered position.

Similarly on this score, I perceive no clear advantage in action on our part at the present moment. However, a public restatement of US policy toward Cambodia may be desirable if a suitable occasion for such a statement arises.

Outlook

Unfortunately, we cannot confidently expect this problem to blow over soon. The New York Times carried another uncomplimentary article on Cambodia by Tillman Durdin last Sunday4 (Tab D). The referendum on June 5 to demonstrate Sihanouk’s popularity will continue to evoke further public statements from him undoubtedly including comments on international affairs. Finally, the giant Soviet aid hospital is due to be inaugurated some time this month with the rumored participation of a prominent Soviet figure. The first prospect of relief is Sihanouk’s visit to France which is scheduled to begin the latter part of June.5

  1. Source: Department of State, FE/SEA (Cambodia) Files: Lot 63 D 73, 1–A.2 Briefing Papers, 1959–60. Confidential. Drafted by Askew and cleared by Usher and Elizabeth Jorzick of EA/P. Tabs A–D were not attached, but see footnote 3 below.↩
  2. In the May 21 issue of Neat Chiet Niyum, Sihanouk criticized the “imperialist milieux,” a clear reference to the United States, for misrepresenting Cambodia’s government as undemocratic and comparing it to other authoritarian governments in Asia. The specific incident which occasioned Sihanouk’s charges was an article by Tillman Durdin in The New York Times, May 1, but Sihanouk expanded his charges in the letter to complain of general distortion about Cambodia in the U.S. press and in scholarly writing. The text of Sihanouk’s letter is in telegram 1495 from Phnom Penh, May 23. (Department of State, Central Files, 751H.11/5–2306; included in the microfiche supplement)↩
  3. Ambassador Trimble protested Sihanouk’s accusations in a May 23 letter in which he also reported to Sihanouk that he was returning to Washington for consultations. The text of Trimble’s letter (Tab C) is in telegram 1499 from Phnom Penh, May 24. On May 28, Sihanouk publicly rebutted Trimble’s letter in an editorial in Neat Chiet Niyum, the text of which is in telegram 1521 from Phnom Penh, May 30 (Tab B). In telegram 1524 from Phnom Penh (Tab A), the Embassy in Phnom Penh commented on Sihanouk’s rebuttal. (Telegrams in Department of State, Central Files, 123–Trimble, William C; all included in the microfiche supplement)↩
  4. May 29.↩
  5. The following handwritten notes appear on the source text. The first, by Parsons, reads: “Please take first opportunity to discuss with Amb. Trimble. For the moment at least I agree no further action. J.G.P.” The second, by Askew, reads: “Whole subject U.S. reaction to Sihanouk under continuing discussion with Amb. Trimble. No firm conclusions to date. However, Amb. did approve draft cable to P Penh 6/2 incorporating gist this memo. L.B.A.” The draft cable was sent as telegram 1056 to Phnom Penh, June 3. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.51H/6–260)↩