68. Editorial Note
The opening of the International Conference on Laos in Geneva, scheduled for May 12, 1961, was postponed in order to resolve a dispute between the West and the USSR on the seating of Laotian delegations. In telegram Secto 118 to the Department of State, May 14, Secretary of State Rusk reported that Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko continued his insistence that the Pathet Lao delegation be one of the three Laotian delegations seated. Gromyko did agree, however, to a statement that all three were delegations “from” and not “of” Laos. Rusk recommended that the United States agree to the opening of the conference on that basis, though taking every opportunity to make clear that the U.S. considered the Royal Laotian Government the only government in Laos. The conference convened on May 16. For text of telegram Secto 118, see Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, volume XXIV, pages 193–195.
In telegram Secto 164 to the Department of State, May 17, Rusk, expressed concern that events were moving more rapidly in Laos than had been expected “with respect to a coalition government which we will not like.” He noted that the “Commies in Geneva are full of confidence and appear to be utterly relaxed about achieving their goals in Laos.” Their speeches were moderate and their demeanor friendly. “I find it difficult to believe that this is because they want a neutral Laos as we see it.” For text, see ibid., pages 199–200.
In telegram Confe 65 from Geneva, May 27, Averell Harriman, then acting head of the U.S. delegation at the Conference on Laos, decried continued Soviet stalling tactics at the conference and increasingly active fighting in Laos. “Soviet maneuvers have placed us in exact position we earlier declined to accept, namely, attending conference before cease-fire effective.” For text, see ibid., pages 209–210.