100. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 0
5553. Following is text of letter to President from Macmillan delivered by British Embassy, Washington, May 26:
“My dear Mr. President,
“As you will have seen the Geneva Conference on Laos has got struck and on a vital issue. The Russians and Chinese are insisting that the International Control Commission now in Laos can only investigate complaints of a breach of the truce or other incidents if both sides agree. What is perhaps even more serious they seem to visualize for the future regime of a neutral Laos an International Control Commission to be itself governed by the unanimity rule.
“If the Russians will not give way during the talks which are being held this weekend we may all feel it necessary to have it out with them in public. On the other hand if the position in Laos remains in fact reasonably stable there is a good deal to be said for postponing a public showdown until after your meeting with Mr. Khrushchev.
“I venture therefore to put this thought to you. Could you early in your talks with him say that unless agreement can be reached quickly about Laos which is certainly not a vital Russian interest then there does not seem much of an outlook for wider agreements. You could tell him [Page 211] with complete truth that the way to a quick and successful conclusion to the Conference is very simple:
- (i)
- The Powers assembled should solemnly declare that they will respect the neutrality of Laos.
- (ii)
- An International Control Commission to supervise the control of arms which would have complete freedom of movement and action and would not be subject in their work to any veto whether internal or external.
“I hope you will not mind my putting this thought to you. I have no doubt that in one way or another we can all manage to keep the Conference alive until after your meeting with Mr. Khrushchev. It is perhaps equally important to gain some time because we shall have to consider pretty carefully what to do if the Conference finally fails.”
“Yours sincerely, s/Harold Macmillan”
Immediately following telegram contains reply.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/5–2761. Top Secret; Priority; Eyes Only. Repeated to Bangkok, Vientiane, and Moscow for Ambassadors and Geneva Fecon for Harriman. This telegram (apart from Macmillan’s letter) was drafted and approved by U. Alexis Johnson and cleared by McGeorge Bundy.↩
- The time of transmission is illegible except that it was sent in the “p.m.”; it was probably sent around 10 p.m.↩