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

94. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, January 26, 1959¹

Washington, January 26, 1959

SUBJECT

• Cambodian Reply Regarding Coup Plot and Attendant Rumors

PARTICIPANTS

• Mr. Walter S. Robertson—Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs
• The Honorable Nong Kimny—Ambassador of Cambodia
• Mr. Eric Kocher—Director, Office of Southeast Asian Affairs
• Mr. Laurin B. Askew—Officer in Charge, Cambodian Affairs

Ambassador Nong Kimny referred to the concern expressed by Mr. Robertson in their previous conversations on January 16 and January 21 concerning rumors and public statements implying US involvement in a plot to overthrow the Sihanouk government (see memoranda of conversation of January 16 and January 21).²

The Ambassador then stated he had been instucted to inform Mr. Robertson as follows:

a) The Royal Cambodian Government (RKG) had in its possession documents proving that a plot against the government and the Throne existed and that it had been organized by a few members of the opposition.

b) The RKG had received advance information concerning the plot, not only from representatives of the Communist countries, but also from a representative of a certain Western nation.

c) The RKG wished to give assurances that it had never made any statement about Col. Lansdale or about Sam Sary’s taking refuge in the U.S. Embassy. Any rumors concerning these matters did not originate from the RKG.

d) Prince Sihanouk and the RKG were disturbed by the fact that a meeting in Bangkok of persons responsible for the plot did not come to the attention of the US Embassy in Bangkok, and would be more disturbed if US authorities in Bangkok did know about the meeting and did not pass this information to the RKG.

Ambassador Nong Kimny then emphasized that the foregoing was exactly what he had been instructed to say. He added that he personally realized that the immediately preceding statement (d. above) would be questioned, namely, why should anyone think the US Embassy in Bangkok knows about everything going on in that city? Nevertheless, he continued, the RKG had received information on the meeting, which leads the Cambodians to believe many other people in Bangkok were aware of it. Nong Kimny asserted that from his own experience in Bangkok as an officer of the French Embassy, he knew that the large Embassies there were aware of many things. He then mentioned that the RKG had lately heard rumors to the effect that Cambodian opposition elements were trying to establish contact with the US Embassy at Bangkok, but that the suggestions of those opposition elements were not being taken into consideration by US officials there.

Mr. Robertson remarked that Prince Sihanouk already had made a public statement in which he asserted the US must have known of the plot but did not inform the RKG. Mr. Robertson stated that we had heard of many plots over the years but that we are not in a position to evaluate such rumors, nor do we meddle in internal affairs of other countries. He then asked the Ambassador to inform Prince Sihanouk that we have exerted, and will continue to exert, every possible influence to promote good relations between Cambodia and its neighbors. He added we believe disturbances such as coup plots benefit only the Communists, not the free world. Mr. Robertson then stated the US would vigorously reject any implication, from any quarter, that the US was involved with others—Cambodians or foreigners—in an attempt to overthrow the RKG. We would wish to brand any such implication a compelte falsehood, he added.

Ambassador Nong Kimny stated he had heard nothing from his government concerning the question of police surveillance of US Embassy houses.

At the end of the meeting Mr. Robertson referred to the fact that despite repeated requests, our Ambassador at Phnom Penh had been unable to see Prince Sihanouk. He added that we were disturbed by the apparent refusal of the Prince to see our Ambassador at this time.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.11/1–2059. Confidential. Drafted by Laurin B. Askew and approved by Kocher and Robertson.
2. In the discussion with Nong Kimny on January 16, Robertson expressed friendly concern over Sihanouk’s allegations. In the conversation on January 21, Robertson said he would have to lodge “the strongest official protest” if reports of Sihanouk’s charges were accurate. (Memoranda of conversation, January 16 and 21; ibid., 751H.11/1–1959 and 751H. 11/1–2159; both included in the microfiche supplement)