404. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State1
593. Pass USUN. USUN for Parsons. Manila for MLG. Addressees pass interested agencies. Reference Deptels 316, 322, 323.2 Made presentation as instructed reference telegrams. Found King in more decisive confident mood. Also appeared better informed military situation than on September 13.
King feels first task is re-establishment integrity and unity FAL. For this purpose invited all military commanders meet with him LP. Had received tel Boun Oum stating he agreed meeting desirable but should occur Savannakhet. Souvanna agreed come with his officers LP. King annoyed Boun Oum intervention since his plan to have purely military meeting without politicians present. Does not want Souvanna at this first meeting either. King hopes find consensus among officers [for] necessity anti-Communist policy and strong defense [Page 861] against PL. Also hopes by personal contacts during visit reestablish some sense harmony among officers. If this accomplished, King intends call meeting Committee National Defense with Souvanna and Boun Oum present.
Political solution will be sought there, probably new government, major reshuffle present government membership and policies. Asked who might head new government, King said reflectively, “would really like keep Souvanna, prove is man of good will but he must change policies, have Phoumi C-in-C and remove extreme leftist members. All right be neutral but must be anti-Communist.” King agreed must reach and announce solution before resignation Souvanna government to avoid new coup Vientiane and PL outbreaks throughout country. States willing return Vientiane with new government. (Saw Kou Abhay after audience and made these points to him. He agreed.)
Throughout talk King kept repeating theme necessity strong anti-Communist posture and vigorous use force against PL.
King sent telegram Boun Oum and Souvanna this morning stating purpose his suggested meeting military forces LP was reunite FAL as primary bulwark country against current attacks and difficulties. This reason why he invited soldiers. Feels meeting should be LP in his presence. Rather eloquent message ends, “His Majesty insists that meeting occur LP as soon as possible.” King says not sure this will succeed, nevertheless feels course outlined above best hope for solution.
Hollis and Fromer did not go Savannakhet today since Boun Oum, Phoumi in Bangkok. Leaving early tomorrow morning.
Told King of my démarche Souvanna and proposed démarche Ouane and Phoumi.
Details follows.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/9–2260. Secret; Niact. Repeated for information to Bangkok, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Manila, Paris, London, and CINCPAC for POLAD.↩
- Telegrams 316 and 322 are printed as Documents 398 and 401, respectively. In telegram 323, September 20, the Department stated that the proposed démarches from the King to the dissident Generals would give impetus to proposed negotiations, although a political reconciliation would probably have to precede an agreement on security. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/9–2060; included in the microfiche supplement)↩
- In telegram 595 from Vientiane, September 23. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/9–2360)↩