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

468. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Parsons) to the Under Secretary of State (Dillon)¹

Washington, December 1, 1960.

SUBJECT

• Situation in Laos

1. Aid

Following our request for clarification of Souvanna’s demand that we stop “all aid” to “rebels”,² Souvanna on November 30 informed Ambassador Brown³ he wished to have us stop supplies of “arms and ammunition” to all provinces except Vientiane (which we have not been supplying), Sam Neua (which is under PL control) and Phong Saly, all three of which Souvanna considers loyal to the Government. He had no objections to our continuing sending such items as food, pay, gasoline, uniforms or medicines. He stated that he could not agree to the supply of arms and ammunition which might be used against him.

2. Political

A delegation of seven members of the National Assembly under its President, Tiao Somsanith, has arrived from Vientiane at Savannakhet for talks with the Revolutionary Committee on “national reconstruction.” Thus, with 21 other deputies already outside Vientiane, the hope for a meeting of a quorum of 30 deputies at Luang Prabang under the aegis of the King has brightened.

Souvanna has announced the composition of a delegation he plans to lead to Peiping and Hanoi in mid-December but has said that he would delay his trip if the talks with the Revolutionary Committee at Savannakhet should warrant.

Meanwhile, the King has not yet responded to Souvanna’s request for a meeting at Luang Prabang with representatives of the Pathet Lao and the Savannakhet group to set up a coalition government.

3. Tripartite

Mr. Merchant will hold a meeting today (Dec. 1) with the British and French Ambassadors to review the situation in Laos and in particular endeavor to obtain their support to bring about a peaceful transition to another government formed by the National Assembly at Luang Prabang.⁴

4. Military

It is reported that Southern forces launched an attack against Vientiane forces at Ban Sot, 12 miles south of the Nam Ca Dinh, the river forming the cease-fire line.⁵ This fighting appears to be Phoumi’s reaction to probing actions by Vientiane forces but may also be a determined effort by Phoumi to establish his position on the river from where he could launch diversionary attacks north. Defense feels very strongly that, given the threat to Luang Prabang, Phoumi should be free to bring pressure to bear on the Vientiane forces by such attacks. We have authorized the use of CAT planes to bring supplies to the Luang Prabang garrison. We are all agreed that, if civil war does develop, the onus for its initiation should be placed on Souvanna and not on Phoumi.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/11–3060. Secret. Drafted by Chapman and cleared by Usher. A note on the source text indicates that Dillon saw this memorandum. The source text bears the handwritten date “11–30–60,” although the memorandum apparently should be dated December 1.
2. In telegram 557 to Vientiane; see footnote 6, supra.
3. Reported in telegram 1024 from Vientiane, November 30. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.5–MSP/11–3060; included in the microfiche supplement)
4. Memorandum of conversation, December 1. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.5–MSP/11–3060; included in the microfiche supplement)
5. Reported in Joint Situation Report 113, [document number not declassified], December 1. (Eisenhower Library, White House Office Files, Staff Secretary Records, International Series, Laos Situation Reports)