Office of the Historian

385. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos1

Washington, August 30, 1960—8:44 p.m.

255. At high-level interagency meeting afternoon August 30th2 serious concern was expressed over return new cabinet to Vientiane in light Kong Le’s apparent continuing control of city. It recognized that Ministers themselves best judges of risks to their freedom of action but as viewed from here, new government could be walking into trap. Accordingly it was felt that this concern should be expressed to Souvanna directly and immediately and that he should be told if RLG needed support to deal with Kong Le, we would be prepared to help as feasible. It was thought that, to have real weight, this message should preferably be delivered by you personally in Luang Prabang. However, it was appreciated that your going there alone immediately after government had been invested might put you in awkward position. Such action might also strengthen whatever latent suspicion Kong Le might have of this cabinet. Therefore you may prefer to have message delivered to Souvanna by Fromer unless you perceive serious objection.

[Page 829]

Reply your 4223 under preparation.

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/8–3060. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Chapman and Parsons and cleared with SEA and Merchant (in substance). Repeated to Bangkok, London, Paris, Phnom Penh, Saigon, and CINCPAC for POLAD.↩
  2. At the Secretary’s Staff Meeting on August 30, Merchant reported that he and Parsons planned to met with representatives of the Department of Defense and the CIA to discuss Laos on the afternoon of August 30. (ibid., Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75) No memorandum of conversation has been found for this meeting. A briefing memorandum from Anderson to Parsons, August 30, is ibid., FE/SEA (Laos) Files: Lot 65 D 169, Political Affairs, Coup Aug. 9 1960; included in the microfiche supplement.↩
  3. In telegram 422, August 30, the Embassy requested permission to hold up release of U.S. aid funds until the new government under Souvanna Phouma gave assurances on the use of the aid, maintenance of the armed forces, reintegration of the Pathet Lao into Lao society, and the composition of his prospective cabinet. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/8–3060; included in the microfiche supplement)↩