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69. Telegram 109710 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos, May 11, 1975, 0234Z.1 2

May 11, 1975, 0234Z

TELEGRAM
Department of State
109710

DRAFTED BY EA/LC:LMRIVES:HHS
APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY
EA: MR. HABIB
S/S: HOGANSON
NSC: GEN. SCOWCROFT (SUBS)

O 110234Z MAY 75
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE IMMEDIATE

E.O. 116521 GDS
TAGS: PFOR, LA

SUBJECT: US POLICY TOWARD LAOS
REF: VIENTIANE 3140
FOR THE CHARGE

1.
ON THE BASIS OF AVAILABLE EVIDENCE, WE AGREE WITH YOUR CONCLUSION THAT SOUVANNA HAS DECIDED TO SEE LAOS REUNIFIED UNDER PATHET LAO DOMINATION. EVENTS DURING THE PAST WEEK OR SO HAVE IN FACT MOVED LAOS VERY FAR DOWN THAT ROAD ALREADY.
2.
IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE U.S. OBJECTIVE IS TO ADAPT IT’S POLICY AND PROGRAMS TO THE NEW SITUATION AS IT UNFOLDS. WE DO NOT WANT OUR ACTIONS TO LEAD INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS IN LAOS. RATHER, WE WANT TO ADAPT TO THOSE DEVELOPMENTS AS THEY OCCUR.
3.
WITH SOUVANNA OUR STANCE SHOULD BE THAT OF MAINTAINING OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR A NEUTRAL AND INDEPENDENT LAOS UNDER THE VIENTIANE ACCORDS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME POINTING OUT THAT TO THE DEGREE THAT GROWING PATHET LAO DOMINATION OF THE COALITION GOVERNMENT IS DIRECTED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES. WE WILL HAVE TO ADAPT OUR POLICIES AND PROGRAMS ACCORDINGLY. YOU SHOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO REMIND HIM THAT WE LOOK TO HIS GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR AMERICANS IN LAOS.
4.
FOR YOUR GUIDANCE, WE FORESEE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A MUCH REDUCED DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN VIENTIANE, SCALING DOWN FROM PRESENT LEVELS AS EVENTS DICTATE. WE WOULD THEREFORE LIKE YOUR EARLY RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING A MINIMAL US DIPLOMATIC MISSION, INCLUDING FUNCTIONS IT WOULD PERFORM. SIMILARLY, WE ENVISAGE SCALING BACK BOTH MILITARY AND ECONOMIC AID PROGRAMS TO MINIMAL LEVELS AS EVENTS UNFOLD. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE YOUR EARLY RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO HOW THIS MIGHT BE ACCOMPLISHED AND WHAT ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED TO DEMONSTRATE CONTINUING US INTERESTS IN LAOS. IN FORWARDING YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, YOU SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THAT WE WISH TO AVOID ANY ACTIONS ON OUR PART CONTRIBUTING OR LEADING EVENTS IN LAOS.
KISSINGER
  1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 12, Laos, State Department Telegrams, From SECSTATE, Nodis. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Rives; cleared by Habib and Scowcroft; approved by Kissinger. Telegram 3140 is Document 66.↩
  2. Responding to telegram 3140 from the Embassy in Laos, the Department of State outlined U.S. policy toward Laos.↩