237. Editorial Note
At the 416th meeting of the National Security Council, August 6, Allen Dulles gave his briefing, “Significant Developments Affecting U.S. Security,” and reported on developments in Laos as follows:
“Turning to the situation in Laos, Mr. Dulles reported that it was difficult to get clear and accurate information. Mr. Dulles displayed a map indicating the exposed position of Laos and the location of forces in and on the border of Sam Neua and Phong Saly provinces. He said the communists could infiltrate volunteers across the border without their being clearly recognized as enemies. However, Laos should have enough troops to control the situation unless substantial numbers of North Vietnamese troops come over the border. He doubted that organized communist military formations would invade Laos. He believed [Page 553] that the fight against Laos had been inspired by the Communist powers, and undoubtedly had been discussed while Ho Chi Minh, the President of North Vietnam, was in Moscow.
“The Western Powers at Geneva had discussed the situation, with the U.K. being disposed to reorganize the International Control Commission (ICC). However, both the U.S. and France were against reactivating the ICC, a step which would bring the communists into the area again. One of the communist purposes in the action against Laos is to ensure that the ICC would be reconstituted in order to block U.S. training operations, which are increasing Laotian ability to defend against aggression. Propaganda from Hanoi has been asserting that U.S. training in Laos is a threat to the security of North Vietnam.
“Secretary Dillon agreed that the main communist objective is to force the reactivation of the ICC in order to halt the U.S. training program in Laos and stir up trouble in the northern provinces. India wants to reconstitute the ICC, but Canada does not believe the ICC should be reconstituted in the absence of Laotian approval. If the fighting in Laos continues three alternatives are open: (1) reconstitute the ICC (2) seize the United Nations of the situation (3) invoke the SEATO treaty. France and the U.S. are agreed that it would be unwise to invoke the SEATO treaty. Accordingly, Laos is being discouraged from taking such a step and is being encouraged to appeal to the United Nations. The principal difficulty in the situation is that of establishing facts, that is, proving that there has been communist infiltration across the border. The Western Military Attachés in Laos have been directed to try to establish the facts and the Laotian Government has been impressed with the importance of marshalling facts to substantiate its appeal to the U.N. The U.N. Secretary General has told India that it would not be useful to reconstitute the ICC unless Laos agrees. Secretary Dillon felt the U.S. would have to await developments in Laos before taking additional steps.
“Mr. Dulles said the use of communist volunteers in Laos raised the question of the use of Free World volunteers and pointed out that Thailand as well as South Vietnam had good soldiers who would make effective volunteers.” (Memorandum of discussion by Boggs, August 6; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)