Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXIII, Southeast Asia

122. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

Washington, November 27, 1963, 3:15 p.m.

SUBJECT

• United States-Cambodian Relations

PARTICIPANTS

• The President
• Prince Norodom Kantol, Prime Minister of Cambodia
• His Excellency Nong Kimny, Ambassador of Cambodia
• Mr. Roger Hilsman, Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs

The Prince expressed condolences on the death of President Kennedy, and said that Prince Sihanouk had sent him, even though airline connections prevented his attending the religious services, to underline the friendship the government and people of Cambodia hold for the United States.

The President thanked the Prince for his kind thoughts and for the long trip that he had undertaken. The United States was grateful and valued its friendship with Cambodia.

The President asked if the Prince had any matters of substance that he wished to discuss. The Prince said that he had none; that he had come only to express condolences.

The President said that President Kennedy had had a high regard for Prince Sihanouk and that he, President Johnson, shared that regard. The President hoped the friendly relations between the two governments would continue.

One thing, however, the President wished to say and that was concerning the charges of United States complicity in the Khmer Serei plotting. President Kennedy had personally investigated these charges and had found they were baseless. President Kennedy had given Prince Sihanouk his categorical denial of any complicity of any United States Government agencies or officers. President Johnson had also asked for a report and had been assured to his satisfaction that there was no complicity on the part of any American Government department or officer, and he, too, categorically denied the charges.

The President said that if the Cambodians had any real evidence of complicity on the part of any American—apart from the false charges of traitors—the United States had a right to see that evidence so it could be investigated. With a smile the President said that there were so many things in the world for which we were responsible that had to be explained to our friends that it was unbearable to have to explain things for which we had no responsibility whatsoever.

Prince Kantol said that he noted President Johnson’s statements, and could assure him that they would be given careful study in Cambodia.

The meeting ended with an exchange of pleasantries.¹

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL CAMB-US. Confidential. Drafted by Hilsman and approved in the White House on December 2. Prime Minister Kantol was attending President Kennedy’s funeral. In a cable to Forrestal, Hilsman reported that the meeting between President Johnson and Kantol was arranged with “herculean efforts.” (Telegram 275 to Phnon Penh, November 27; ibid., AID (US) CAMB)
1. After the meeting, Kantol met with Harriman who expressed surprise and shock at Sihanouk’s charges of a U.S. relationship with the Khmer Serei. Kantol assured Harriman that Cambodia would remain independent and not become Communist. Harriman stated that if Cambodia wished to terminate U.S. aid, the United States considered that “all right,” but it could not accept false charges against it. Harriman urged Kantol to recommend to Sihanouk that he speak with Forrestal in order to dismiss the charges. The two men also discussed the border friction between Cambodia and South Vietnam. Harriman stated it was not his intention to take sides or allot blame, rather he offered to help alleviate the tension in any possible way. (Telegram 269 to Phnom Penh, November 26; ibid.)