444. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State1
883. Eyes only Assistant Secretary Parsons from Ambassador. I am reliably informed that during Irwin-Riley visit Savannakhet, after formal conversation was finished,2 Riley took Phoumi aside and told him privately that U.S. had completely lost confidence in Souvanna and was backing Phoumi to go back and clean up situation. Irwin similarly told Phoumi privately that while for the moment U.S. was only supporting Phoumi in building up his defenses, in long run U.S. was supporting him all the way. These are not exact quotes but substance is accurate. Phoumi says these two statements meant more to him than anything else that was said. Reference to at least one of these was made in original draft memo of conversation but was deleted in final record.
Above for your personal background information only. I will probably have to come back fairly soon for a reaffirmation of U.S. policy if we are to keep Phoumi to his promise to follow our advice.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/11–860. Top Secret; Eyes Only; No Distribution.↩
- See Document 431.↩