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

82. Letter From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson) to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Sprague)¹

Washington, September 26, 1958.

Dear Manny: With reference to our letter of September 9, 1958² concerning U.S. aid to Cambodia, a reappraisal of U.S. aid policy for that country was, as you know, conducted following Cambodian recognition of Communist China. Ambassador Strom and the Chiefs of MAAG and USOM were recalled to Washington for this purpose, and a Defense representative also participated in the review. As a result of this reappraisal, it was decided that the U.S. should continue its program of military and economic aid in Cambodia, subject to (1) availability of funds and (2) the nature of future developments in that country. The Cambodian Government was informed of this decision.

There have been no further developments in Cambodian policy which would warrant a further reappraisal of our aid program. However, no Congressional action in the meantime has resulted in a lower level of Defense Support appropriations than that requested by the Executive Branch, it has become necessary to reduce Defense Support aid in Cambodia in FY 59 below the level prevailing in FY 58. The amount to be granted in FY 59 is still under review in this Department. While we agree with the Defense Department that the Army offers the best hope as an anti-Communist force in Cambodia, the military budget will undoubtedly have to absorb part of the reduced level of aid. However, we believe our relations with the Cambodian Government will be better served if we permit it to take the initiative in proposing to what sectors of the Defense Support program the reduction should be applied.

We understand that the Military Assistance Program being proposed by the Defense Department for Cambodia for FY 59 is slightly higher in dollar value than the FY 58 program. While we believe that Cambodia’s recent recognition of Communist China makes it politically desirable to apply to the Defense Support program for that country at least the average of the Congressional percentage of reduction in Defense Support appropriations, we do not believe that the same factor need govern with respect to the Military Assistance Program since the dollar value of country military aid programs is not normally disclosed to foreign governments.

Our Missions in neighboring Southeast Asian countries were authorized at their discretion to inform the governments of those countries of the outcome of our reappraisal of United States aid to Cambodia following recognition of Communist China. We are also considering the possibility of informing certain countries in the area, at an appropriate time, of the reduction in Defense Support aid for Cambodia in FY 59.

Sincerely yours,

Walter S. Robertson³

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.5–MSP/9–2658. Secret. Drafted by Mendenhall and cleared by SEA, FE, and W/MSC.
2. In this letter, Sprague suggested that any future reductions in aid to Cambodia should be in economic as well as military assistance. He also suggested that aid cuts should not be in maintenance items or projects which could cause retrogression of U.S. influence on the Cambodian military. (Ibid., FE Files: Lot 60 D 90, Sprague; included in the microfiche supplement)
3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature. A signed copy is in Washington National Records Center, OSD/ISA Files: FRC 62 A 1698, 092 Cambodia.