466. Editorial Note
The Deputy Political Adviser to Admiral Felt, Thomas Corcoran, flew from Bangkok to Savannakhet on November 23 to meet with General Phoumi. In telegram 879 from Bangkok, November 23, Corcoran described a message which he delivered to Phoumi on instructions from Washington:
“Gist of message that Souvanna Phouma government becoming increasingly more isolated from non-Communist elements and should be replaced at earliest possible date with legal government which US could support. Phoumi and associates and Phoui Sananikone should get together as soon as possible to work out such a solution.
“Details of solution should be worked out by Lao personalities involved but Ambassador prepared promptly assist where possible. US Government believed transition to new legal government could be brought about by assembly vote or by resignation Souvanna Phouma. Pressures should therefore be built up for National Assembly meeting in LP. There was great need for close liaison with deputies and officers in Vientiane and with King and officers in LP; I noted that General Bounleut, General Ouan and Khamphan Panya had gone to Plaine des Jarres yesterday enroute to Luang Prabang. Mentioned our feeling that if peaceful transition failed for any reason coordination entire army would be necessary and that if patriotic Lao could not unify army it doubtful whether they could succeed against united PL. Since Assembly could bring about peaceful transition Phoumi would be well-advised make positive answer to Somsanith in order induce him come out with his delegation which might then be persuaded go LP to urge King to call meeting in Royal capital. Somsanith might be particularly amenable to this idea if he received conciliatory reply.”
Corcoran told Phoumi that similar messages were being sent to King Savang and Phoui. Based on his brief discussions with other Lao leaders at Savannakhet, Corcoran commented that Phoumi’s Revolutionary Committee seemed much more “self-confident” than during his first visit there. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/11–2560; included in the microfiche supplement)