Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 1

751H.00/7–653

Memorandum of Conversation, by Robert Hoey and John Getz of the Office of Philippine and Southeast Asian Affairs

secret

[Washington,] July 6, 1953.

Subject:

• Current Situation in Cambodia

Participants:

• Mr. Nong Kimny, Ambassador of Cambodia
• Mr. Robert E. Hoey, PSA
• Mr. John I. Getz, PSA

The Ambassador called at four o’clock today on instruction to discuss the present situation in Cambodia. In discussing the provocative measures taken by the French in Cambodia he noted that the French forces are taking over public buildings in Phnom Penh, such as the Banque de l’Indochine. Reports that the Cambodian Army has taken over public buildings are false. The Minister of Interior was detained for some time by the French forces while he was on his way to a cabinet meeting.

On the French offer to negotiate of July 3, 1953: The Cambodian Government does not feel that this offer goes far enough. His Government (apparently before the French announcement) told the French Government that if the French would issue a statement that Cambodia was independent, the Cambodian Government would simultaneously issue a statement of adherence to the French Union. The Ambassador feels that the French issued the July 3d statement so that their position in the upcoming Foreign Ministers’ Conference will be stronger.

Knowing that Indochina will be discussed at the Foreign Ministers’ Conference, the Ambassador handed Mr. Hoey a note (attached) asking that Cambodia’s position concerning the suggested exchange of declarations be made clear at the conference.

Mr. Hoey then explained the meaning of the Department’s announcement of Noon today,¹ approving the French offer to negotiate, as not a taking of sides with the French, but rather a belief that the French have taken a concrete step toward solution of the problems confronting the two countries; the French offer is all the more interesting since it does not impose any limits on concessions which the Associated States might gain in the negotiations. It is regretted that the offer was not made in a more dramatic fashion. We feel, however, that the offer is a real measure of the liberal attitude of the new French Government, a feeling reinforced by the appointment of a French career diplomat as new Commissioner General for the Associated States. The Ambassador then admitted that he wished that his government could back down somewhat on the extreme stand which it has taken.

[Attachment]

Translation of Note From the Cambodian Embassy to the Department of State

Washington, July 6, 1953.

The Royal Embassy of Cambodia presents its compliments to the Department of State and has the honor to make known, in accordance with instructions from the Royal Cambodian Government, that the present position of His Majesty and of His Government on the subject of the question of the independence of the Kingdom is the following:

As the Prime Minister of the Cambodian Government made known to the High Commissioner of the French Republic in Cambodia in an official note of June 30, the Royal Government proposes that:

1. A declaration according complete independence and sovereignty to the Kingdom be made by France.

2. On its side, Cambodia will declare simultaneously its adherence to the French Union with a statute at least equal to that of India in the British Commonwealth.

The Royal Cambodian Government, considering that the Indochina question will be raised at the Conference of the three Foreign Ministers of July 10, 1953, would be grateful to the Department of State if it would kindly make clear these points of the Cambodian position during the course of the conversations.

The Royal Embassy of Cambodia takes the occasion of this note to present to the Department of State the assurances of its very high consideration.

(Initialled: N.K.)

1. The New York Times of July 7 (p. 3) reported that the United States had, on July 6, welcomed the French offer to negotiate the independence issue with the Associated States and pledged its “whole-hearted support.” The form of the announcement was not indicated.