Office of the Historian

133. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Harriman) and Dean Acheson0

Washington, December 9, 1963, 12:25 p.m.

Harriman told Acheson that the most extraordinary thing had happened to Acheson’s FE friend.1

Acheson said yes he knew; Dean Rusk had called him.

Harriman said sometimes they get out local things on the radio and change it when it goes to the world.

Acheson said that Phil2 ought to go right away and ask that this be disavowed or he should come home.

Harriman said he is to go up and demand a repudiation of any reference of these remarks to President Kennedy. In addition, he should take exception to the celebration in a barbaric manner of the deaths of the [Page 283] Heads of Government that are accepted by the civilized world. Point out that this will affect US/RKG relations.3

Dean Acheson agreed with this.

Harriman said he had been promoting the idea of Acheson’s going out there. This means it will be impossible for him to go out.

Acheson said he would see the Gov tomorrow night at dinner.

  1. Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Telephone Conversations. No classification marking. Transcribed in Harriman’s office.↩
  2. Reference is to Sihanouk.↩
  3. Ambassador Sprouse.↩
  4. In telegram 308 to Phnom Penh, December 9, the Department instructed Sprouse to protest the radio communiqué ordering celebrations of the deaths of Thai and South Vietnamese leaders and, by implication, President Kennedy. Sprouse was to point out in strongest terms that such uncivilized and barbaric “celebrations” would strongly affect U.S.-Cambodian relations. Sprouse was also informed that Ambassador Charles Yost, Deputy Representative to the U.N. Security Council, would be making an identical protest to Ambassador Nong Kimny (who was attending the U.N. General Assembly for Cambodia). (Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 US–KENNEDY) In telegram 478 from Phnom Penh, December 11, Sprouse indicated that he saw Prime Minister Kantol that morning (all Cambodian Government offices were closed on December 10 for a holiday). Kantol denied knowledge of the radio broadcast, recalled his trip to Kennedy’s funeral in Washington, and promised an immediate investigation. (Ibid., POL 15–1 CAMB)↩