284. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos1
970. Your 1207.2 During Washington visit Colonel Phoumi had long conversation with Department officer3 in which among other things he stressed he did not differ with Ambassador Smith on need preserve constitutional parliamentary regime. As interpreted by him however regime should be a “democratic dirigee” since masses too ignorant for normal democracy. To achieve this he felt all that was necessary was to amend electoral law in order to control election. He had in fact offered Phoui to conduct elections and if permitted do so guaranteed Prime Minister a tame Assembly.
Comment: Clearly idea of need for strong executive firmly planted in CDNI. While this idea probably reflects realistic assessment of situation in Laos at present, nevertheless Department agrees with you that CDNI will bear watching to insure it does not kick over all constitutional traces and establish quasi dictatorial regime.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/10–2959. Confidential. Drafted by Chapman, cleared by Usher, and approved by Anderson. Also sent to CINCPAC for POLAD.↩
- In telegram 1207, October 29, the Embassy reported that there was increased attention in Lao political circles to constitutional reform now that the National Assembly was nearing expiration of its term. The Embassy warned: “Problem is essentially to restrain CDNI from impetuous short-cuts which could wreck Phoui’s plans to carry out necessary constitutional reform in moderate terms after adequate preparations and under proper circumstances.” (ibid.)↩
- No other record of this conversation has been found.↩