241. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos 1

212. Vientiane’s 325 and 328.2 Department notes Foreign Minister confident of UK support of RLG request to SYG for UN observer (your 325 paragraph 5). However, appears be no assurance from rest of Foreign Minister’s remarks that this will, in fact, be the case. Department believes Ambassador should seek appointment Prime and Foreign Ministers soonest and make following points.

1.
In view intensive UK and US efforts assist Laos in present difficulties without building up pressures for return ICC, Department considers uncoordinated appeal along lines telegram to SYG described your 328 dangerous and likely be counterproductive. SYG will be placed in difficult and exposed position and will almost certainly realize RLG does not expect him be able comply its unilateral uncoordinated request; move may therefore be costly in terms SYG’s good will. Urge RLG strongly not send telegram. It is usual UN procedure not appeal publicly to SYG until matter discussed with him privately. Therefore, believe it would be far preferable to wait until Ngon has had opportunity discuss problem with SYG before reaching final decision.
2.
Since RLG may sincerely desire SYG send observer at later date, for example, if trouble erupts countryside with beginning dry season (paragraph 4, your 328), believe highly undesirable make unilateral approach to SYG at this juncture merely to accomplish relatively limited objectives stated paragraph 2 your 325. Such approach now could seriously prejudice later move when observer might really be needed.
3.
If despite your representations RLG sends message, you should strongly urge it not be published and that, in any event, it exclude statement observer should not be national of ICC country. Such statement would be regarded as specifically referring India, would probably be deeply resented by GOI and might also embarrass Canadians.3
Dillon
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/8–1459. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Usher and Michael H. Newlin of UNP, cleared with SEA, and approved by Green. Repeated priority to London and to Paris, New Delhi, Ottawa, Bangkok, Saigon, Phnom Penh, USUN, and CINCPAC for POLAD.
  2. In telegram 325, August 14, the Embassy reported that, notwithstanding U.S. advice, the Lao Government was transmitting a request through Ngon Sananikone to the U.N Secretary-General for an observer. The Lao claimed to have already consulted the British and were confident of British support. (ibid.) Telegram 328, August 14, contained a translation of the proposed Lao message to Secretary-General Hammarskjöld requesting an observer. (ibid.) Both telegrams are included in the microfiche supplement.
  3. In telegram 336 from Vientiane, the Embassy reported that it had received assurances from the Royal Lao Government that it agreed with the U.S. views, and that nothing would be done until Ambassador Smith returned to Vientiane on August 17. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/8–1558; included in the microfiche supplement)