353. Editorial Note
On June 11, Christian Chapman informed the Director of the Office of Southeast Asian Affairs, Daniel Anderson, that the internal situation in Laos and its external affairs had changed considerably since April 2, 1958. Chapman suggested that the guidance contained in NSC 5809, “U.S. Policy in Mainland Southeast Asia,” paragraphs 43–49, was no longer adequate. NSC 5809 is printed as Document 12. Chapman stated that until the fall of 1959, U.S. policy in Laos was a “holding operation” content to maintain Laos’ security forces and support the operations of the civil government. After the fall of 1959, there was a general consensus in Washington that a special effort was required to maintain the belief among the Lao elite that pro-West policies were in their country’s best interests. Chapman then provided in his memorandum to Anderson suggestions for draft revisions of the relevant paragraphs of NSC 5809. (Department of State, FE/SEA Files: Lot 65 D 169, 300 General—US Government Attitudes and Actions, Jan. 1960; included in the microfiche supplement)
On July 21, the National Security Council discussed the revised NSC paper on mainland Southeast Asia with particular reference to Laos and, to a lesser extent, Cambodia, Burma, and Vietnam; see Document 64. The NSC paper as approved, NSC 6012, July 25, 1960, “U.S. Policy in Mainland Southeast Asia,” is printed as Document 65.