402. Telegram From the Ambassador to Thailand (Unger) to the Department of State1
Bangkok, August 10, 1968.
[telegram number not declassified] Ambassador Unger has requested following message be transmitted:
“For Bundy and Godley from Unger.
- 1.
- I understand Norman Hannah will be bringing Washingtonʼs views concerning our possible assistance to government party in coming elections. As soon as I have this in hand and have digested it in the context of several recent conversations and other developments here, I will submit my recommendations as to whether or not we should offer help.
- 2.
- In this connection I should emphasize that we should not contemplate any arrangements entailing detailed accounting for use of funds or extensive consultation with political leaders about choice of candidates or election tactics. While I believe that contribution from us would open the way to more knowledge of and influence on elections process, insistence in advance on certain conditions or procedures will be rejected.
- 3.
- [7–1/2 lines of source text not declassified]2 However, my considered judgement on this and other matters will await my further message following Hannahʼs return.
- 4.
- In order facilitate traffic on this subject, and strengthen security, suggest we adopt code name Lotus.)
- Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Thailand 1968. Secret. [text not declassified] A note on the telegram indicates that Bundy saw it.↩
- See Document 401.↩