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

751H.00/9–1253: Telegram

The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State

secret
niact

Saigon, September 12, 1953—3 p.m.
[Received 6: 34 a.m.]

439. Repeated information Paris niact 121, Hanoi niact 59, Phnom Penh 7. Cambodian situation has taken serious turn for the worse. Declaration of Penn Nouth which was countersigned by King as reported my telegram 438¹ today publicly places Cambodia in ranks of neutralists and in effect invites Viet Minh and Issarak elements to join in a popular front government, since it promises “free and democratic elections” and offers amnesty up to October 1. Statement likewise dissociates Cambodia from Viet Minh operations in Vietnam. It comes immediately upon latest Cambodian military proposals as set out Phnom Penh’s 33 repeated Paris 28,² third point of which excludes use of Cambodian battalions belonging to French Union Forces outside Cambodian territory. This is direct reversal of position taken by Cambodian King with Prince Savang of Laos when he assured latter that Cambodian units could be used for defense of Southern Laos.

I discussed these developments with Commanding [Commissioner] General DeJean last night. In his present temper, DeJean feels that French would be justified in breaking off negotiations but as of this moment no indication of attitude French Government has been received to latest Cambodian proposals. However, French here feel that offer to turn over three battalions only until next June plus interdiction on their use outside Cambodian territory, coupled now with Penn Nouth’s astonishing invitation to the Viet Minh, practically vitiates further negotiations wih Cambodian Government. DeJean confirmed to me third paragraph Deptel 419 sent Phnom Penh 14, Paris 897,³ but this report has not yet appeared in local press.

French AP stringers sent in report outlined paragraph 2, Deptel 419 but I strongly doubt that Chargé Phnom Penh made any such statement.

DeJean feels and I concur that at this critical juncture it would be useful if Senator Knowland⁴ and I, who are invited to lunch with Penn Nouth on Monday,⁵ should make it very clear that attitude of neutralism and of unconcern at Communist menace is but an invitation by Cambodian Government to lose that very independence which is its proclaimed desire to achieve. Situation has so deteriorated that even excellent message of President, as set out Deptel 328,⁶ is now too mild. I feel that Knowland and I should likewise indicate plainly to Cambodian Prime Minister that his government cannot look to US to replace French in realm of military and economic aid if he persists in policy outlined public statement to Viet Minh and Issaraks.

Please instruct.

Heath

1. Telegram 438 from Saigon, Sept. 12, read as follows:

   “Following is summary translation message Cambodian Prime Minister Penn Nouth to Issaraks Khmer-Viet Minh and Viet Minh September 10, as published Agence Khmere Be Presse Sept. 11. Statement is countersigned by King.

   “Royal Government announces complete independence Cambodia is in process realization; judicial and police powers have already been transferred to Cambodian control and turn-over military power will come shortly.

   “Since your ideal of Cambodian independence has already been achieved, you no longer have valid reason for remaining estranged from national community. Your refusal return to fold prevents government from raising standard living of people and exposes your activities as serving personal ambitions at expense country. Government promises complete amnesty for your former errors so that you may become free citizen. If you do not return by October 1, government will take strong action against all rebels, because it will then be punishing only traitors to country. Viet Minh, we have already obtained independence which you pretend to help us attain. Although we are not Communist, we have no reason to take sides against communism as long as it does not come to impose itself by force upon our people. Communism pretends to teach and bring liberty to our people. Royal Government reminds you that Cambodia possesses constitution that is among most democratic in world.

   “We will have free elections as soon as Issaraks and Viet Minh allow us sufficient peace to make them possible.

   “You must be aware that Bonzes and people will have nothing to do with communism, nor with spurious independence obliging Cambodians to recognize Ho Chi-Minh, Mao Tse-Tung, and formerly Stalin as their true masters.

   “Viet Minh it is not up to us to question your right to concern yourselves with Vietnam, we only ask you to leave our territory and allow us to live our lives freely. We do not wish in the least to interfere in internal affairs other countries so long as reciprocity of treatment is granted.” (751H.00/9–1253)

   For text of the statement, see Gouvernement Royal du Cambodge, Livre jaune sur les revendications de l’independence du Cambodge, II (Phnom Penh, Imprimerie du Palais Royal, 1954), pp. 57 ff.

2. Telegram 33 from Phnom Penh, Sept. 12, reporting on French-Cambodian military negotiations, is not printed. (651.51H/9–1253)

3. Telegram 419 to Saigon, Sept. 11 (also sent to Phnom Penh and repeated to Paris), read as follows:

   “Associated Press report from Phnom Penh dated September 11 states (1) Penn Nouth in broadcast addressed to Viet Minh in Cambodia reportedly approved by King, stated Cambodians have no quarrel with Communism as long as not imposed on Cambodians and that if Viet Minh would depart Cambodians would not fight them in neighboring Viet-Nam; (2) U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh warned that Cambodian ‘denial of all will to fight Communism’ might lead U.S. Congress cut off military and economic aid Cambodia; (3) source close to Dejean said France had no reason help Cambodia if Cambodians believe fight against Viet Minh does not concern them.

   “Comment requested in light problem press inquiries and need for USIA guidance.” (751H.00/9–1153)

4. William F. Knowland, Senate Majority Leader, visited Indochina from Sept. 11 to 15.
5. Sept. 14.

6. In telegram 328 to Saigon, Aug. 27, the Department of State authorized Ambassador Heath to deliver an oral message to King Norodom Sihanouk along the following lines:

   “President has been most favorably impressed at recent progress Cambodia and at evidence growing assumption by Cambodia of responsibilities of developing and maintaining Cambodian independence. President feels strongly that at this time conditions vital to independence of Cambodia include achievement harmonious relationship with France whereby Cambodian and French efforts will be devoted wholeheartedly to opposing common enemy. President knows difficulties of reconciling aims of national independence with fact of interdependence of free world nations in face effort by USSR to enslave them. He is confident nevertheless that high statesmanship and restraint on both sides will permit accomplishment complete reconciliation between France and Cambodia.” (751H.11/8–2553)