Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, East Asia-Pacific Region; Cambodia; Laos, Volume XVI

424. Memorandum of a Conference With the President, Washington, October 11, 1960¹

Washington, October 11, 1960.

OTHERS PRESENT

• Secretary Dillon, Mr. Merchant, Mr. Steeves, Secretary Gates, General Lemnitzer, Mr. Allen Dulles, General Goodpaster

General Lemnitzer began with a briefing on the present military situation in Laos, showing the location of the Pathet Lao forces, the deployment of Kong Le forces around Vientiane, the location of Phoumi’s forces near Savannakhet, and the location of some independent non-Communist forces in the northern region. He said that supplies are being flown in to Phoumi and will be flown in to the non-Communist area in the north. The military situation is not at all satisfactory, however.

Mr. Allen Dulles said that the Soviet Ambassador to Cambodia is scheduled to go to Vientiane tomorrow. He added that there is strong evidence that Souvanna Phouma is dealing with the Pathet Lao. The Soviet Ambassador may present promises of Soviet aid to Souvanna Phouma, and the latter may be waiting for this in order to play the United States and the Soviets against each other.

Mr. Dillon said that a very difficult problem has developed since a month ago when, on our urging, both Souvanna Phouma and Phoumi had gone to Luang Prabang to form a new government. The parliament was assembled there. As a result of this meeting, a new government was formed, with Souvanna Phouma at the head. The new government then went back to Vientiane, but Phoumi did not accompany them. In fact, he went into open rebellion. As a result, we are now in the difficulty that the legal government, to which the man we support is in opposition, is that of Souvanna Phouma. The representatives of this government now at the United Nations have standing authority to request the intervention of the United Nations at any time so that we have hanging over our heads the threat of being “hailed into” the UN for aggressive intervention at any time. In these circumstances we are trying to work through the King, who is the legitimate head of the nation. We have cut off our aid to Laos, a large component of which goes for pay of the Laotian troops, and have told Souvanna Phouma that we will resume it only if he takes certain steps toward a solution satisfactory to us, including moving the government to Luang Prabang where the King is, removing the governmental treasury from Vientiane, etc. The French and British are supporting us in this action, although reluctantly. In addition, we are sending in supplies to Phoumi [less than 1 line of source text not declassified].

Mr. Dillon then said there has been for a number of weeks a difference of view as between our people in Vientiane, headed by the Ambassador, and the people concerned with Laos in our departments here. The Ambassador inclines to supporting Souvanna Phouma, whereas back here our officials want to support Phoumi. Assistant Secretary Parsons and Assistant Secretary Irwin, together with Admiral Riley, are now in Bangkok to resolve these differences of view and try to determine what further actions we should be prepared to take if the situation does not develop favorably.

Mr. Gates said he is very pessimistic as to the possibility of keeping the country for the free world, even if Souvanna Phouma does not make some kind of deal with the Communists. The prospects are not good, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] with regard to the problem of paying the Laotian troops, that we are now [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] sending funds to Phoumi so that he can pay the troops under his command. Even this action is complicated, however, by the fact that we do not have local Laotian currency to use, since this is all held in the treasury in Vientiane.

Mr. Merchant said that Prime Minister Sarit in Thailand (who is a close relative of Phoumi’s) is very deeply concerned over the Laotian situation, and that the entire government of Thailand, as well as that of Viet-Nam, is deeply disturbed about the situation. Mr. Dillon said we are troubled over a split within the SEATO organization, with the British, French and Australians holding back with regard to any vigorous action.

General Lemnitzer reported that two additional parachute companies have been moved into the southern end of the country, and these should strengthen the Phoumi forces materially. He added that we are resuming the supply of arms assistance to the Phoumi forces.

After further discussion, the President said the only suggestion he could give, beyond what is now being done, would be to try to take special measures to win Souvanna Phouma to our side, such as placing funds in escrow for him in Bangkok, and try to get him to request our help in dealing with the situation.

G
Brigadier General, USA

1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries. Top Secret. Drafted by Goodpaster on October 12. On October 8, Dillon telephoned Goodpaster to arrange this briefing for the President. Dillon explained the need for such a meeting:
   “CDD said the situation in Laos is not good, that they had a meeting yesterday afternoon with Gates, Lemnitzer, etc. and told him to be sure to see a copy of 384 from [to] Laos—that if he didn’t have one we would send him a copy. CDD told Gen. Goodpaster that we are sending Parsons, Irwin and Riley (CINCPAC) to see what is going on on-the-spot because there seems to be a difference of opinion between the people here and the country team over there so we have decided to send a group out. CDD said he thought the President ought to have a briefing about the situation, the alternatives that are before us and what we were considering because some of them are not very pleasant.” Goodpaster called Dillon back to tell him that the meeting could be held at 11:15 a.m. on October 11. (Notes of telephone conversation, October 8; Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199)