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

99. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Cambodia¹

Washington, February 21, 1959—8:38 p.m.

732. From Parsons. Your 1074.² I fully appreciate your desire take strongest possible line with RKG but believe it unwise you use points suggested fourth para reftel because they imply US willingness assume responsibility internal Cambodian security despite our oft repeated stress on non-involvement RKG affairs. Suggest rather you follow previous Dept. guidance this subject transmitted another channel earlier this month³ as supplemented below.

a) US not in slightest degree involved alleged Cambodian coup plots.

b) US position against foreign interference domestic affairs other countries well known and matter of record.

c) US not in position obtain accurate advance information foreign meddling, if any, in coup plots Cambodia. US not privy intrigues this nature and view well-known US position on noninterference, any individuals with designs against RKG would take care US not informed their plans.

d) You may assure RKG emphatically that US has exerted strongest possible efforts and influence to promote amicable relations between Cambodia and its neighbors.⁴

e) Apparent Cambodian suspicions re US position this matter difficult for us to understand. We can only assume they inspired by efforts our enemies to destroy mutual confidence between Cambodia and US. They evidently attempting attribute to US own motives and actions including subversion Cambodian institutions.

f) It is difficult for us to believe Cambodians would seriously credit accusations against US from such sources. Suggest such calumnies be reexamined against demonstrable record US support for Cambodian independence, respect for Cambodian neutrality and friendship for RKG.

g) US concern at Cambodian suspicion US plotting against regime again conveyed Nong Kimny early this week. US surprised that Cambodia which would reject any attempted American dictation apparently believes US could dictate to other sovereign countries if it had evidence they involved in activities of nature suggested. If RKG still wonders why US does not provide info on rumored plots, it should be remembered US policy avoids interference internal matters. Any other course now would be likely give cause for recriminations later and would be incompatible principle mutual self-respect. In any event US has no basis for evaluating latest spate of rumors and does not wish add to existing tensions and confusion by accepting at face value fragmentary and unconfirmed reports.

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.00/2–2159. Secret; [distribution indicator not declassified]. Drafted by Askew, cleared by Kocher and Parsons, and approved by Cumming.
2. Supra.
3. Not found.
4. In telegram 1080 from Phnom Penh, February 22, Strom argued that this suggested guidance was an “inadequate defense” of the U.S. position in view of the fact that Sihanouk had fully verified information on South Vietnamese participation in the attempted coup and “in view further fact GVN has little capability menace RKG except by virtue resources supplied by US.” (Department of State, Central Files, 751H.00/2–2959)