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

751H.00/9–1253: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy at Saigon¹

secret

Washington, September 12, 1953—2:22 p.m.

424. Your 439 repeated Paris 121, Hanoi 59, Phnom Penh 7.² Department seriously concerned at deterioration Cambodian situation. You are authorized make statements to Penn Nouth along lines final paragraph reftel. You may add that Prime Minister’s attitude toward struggle against Communist attempts to enslave peoples of Southeast Asia seems particularly regrettable just at time when fresh broad generous and vigorous military and political concepts adopted by Vietnam, Laos and France with prospect greatly increased U.S. support have so much improved free world outlook in that area. You may tell Prime Minister his statement has received wide unfavorable publicity throughout United States.

. . . . . . .

Department relies upon you to do utmost avoid any final action as distinct from mere words by French or Cambodians until we have had chance define our own position toward situation which might result from such action and effect upon enterprise of defending free world position Indochina in which we have such large stake.

Paris please inform appropriate French authorities on highly restricted confidential basis regarding above requesting them to give no press indication our attitude and seek views regarding future developments.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Bonsal, Director of PSA. Also sent niact to Paris as 926, to Hanoi as 151, and to Phnom Penh as 15.
2. Supra.