392. Editorial Note
On September 10, the Department of State issued a press release on what it described as a “revolution” in Laos by Prince Boun Oum and General Phoumi against the Souvanna Phouma government. The Department of State noted in the release that it had consistently supported the duly-constituted governments of Laos against Communist subversion in the past. The Department regretted that the unity of the non-Communist forces in Laos was threatened, reiterated its desire not to intervene in the affairs of Laos, and warned other “outside powers, or the agents thereof” not to take advantage of the disturbed situation in Laos either directly or indirectly. The text of this statement is printed in Department of State Bulletin, September 26, 1960, p. 499.
Prior to the release of this statement, Secretary Herter telephoned General Goodpaster at the White House at 12:50 p.m., September 10, to discuss Laos and the issuance of the statement. The memorandum of conversation reads as follows:
“The Secretary said we had a revolution in Laos on our hands and he then read a statement which we were thinking about putting out. Goodpaster said he was certain this is the way the President understands it. Goodpaster asked if the implication was that Phoumi was moving against the King. The Sec. said he has told the King he is not. [Page 839] There was a danger of a secessionist movement. Goodpaster said he would send word to the President but he didn’t think there would be anything further needed on that.” (Eisenhower Library, Herter Papers, Memoranda of Telephone Conversations)