393. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos1
Washington, September 10,
1960—7:07 p.m.
294. 1. Secretary has instructed you seek audience with King soonest. You should request audience through Souvanna as Foreign Minister with whom you should discuss démarche frankly. You might suggest Somsanith accompany you and you should also seek associate other Ambassadors with démarche. We are so advising French, British and Australian Embassies and UNSYG.
2. Your presentation to King should be along following lines:
- a.
- You should state you acting under instructions from Secretary.
- b.
- We consider country for first time since independence is facing real threat of dismemberment—with region rising against region and Army faction against Army faction. Unity patriotic elements appears broken. In this chaotic situation Pathet Lao can with little effort deepen divisions and significantly further their objective of taking over country.
- c.
- Under these circumstances we can see no peaceful solution unless King effects royal reconciliation under his authority.
- d.
- US has consistently supported constituted governments of Laos which sought to maintain independence and integrity of country and to this end has encouraged unity of patriotic elements. With continuing independence of country threatened by civil war and Pathet Lao, US seeks know how King views situation and what are King’s intentions and wishes.
Herter
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/9–1060. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Chapman, cleared by Usher, and approved by Parsons. Repeated priority to Bangkok, Paris, London, and Canberra and to Saigon, Phnom Penh, CINCPAC for POLAD, and USUN.↩