Office of the Historian

415. Telegram From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt)1

Washington, October 3, 1960—5:21 p.m.

JCS DA 983752. 1. In view [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] report renewed attack by Kong Le–PL Forces against Phoumi troops,2 urgent objective is to prevent another defeat which could complete demoralization of that portion FAL loyal to Phoumi. If you agree you are authorized immediately to (a) provide necessary arms and supplies (b) move Lobpuri contingent to location you think best (c) air-lift other Phoumi Forces as you consider desirable.

2. In addition to above, and if you concur, desire Chief, PEO make strongest possible approach to Ouan and to Phoumi to forego individual differences and to make joint effort to preserve FAL and Kingdom of Laos. Ouan and Phoumi should be informed of action by U.S. in Paragraph 1 above and in Deptel 365 to Vientiane.3 Believed here that this approach can be supplementary effort to appeal to King by Ambassador and that self-interest of both Ouan and Phoumi may lead them to accept such action if assured of full U.S. support. If possible, Ouan and Phoumi should be impressed with necessity of cooperation despite other political pressures on them on grounds that continuation of present situation paves way to disintegration of Kingdom and its eventual subservience to communists.

3. State and Defense concur.

  1. Source: U.S. Army Military History Institute, Department of Army Communications Center Files. Secret; Immediate. Repeated to Chief PEO, Laos, and Chief JUSMAG, Bangkok.↩
  2. Not further identified.↩
  3. Document 412.↩