751G.00/9–1154: Telegram
The Ambassador in Vietnam (Heath) to the Department of State
969. Repeated information Paris 322, Vientiane unnumbered. I made farewell visit this week to Laos where Prince Savang gave dinner in my honor and said kind things about my mission in Laos.
Prince Savang left tenth for brief trip to France, returning end of month. He is bitter over “Geneva agreements” which he asserts Laos never signed and only tacitly accepted as result of increasing French pressure. He said there was bitter anti-French feeling developing as result of Geneva agreements and a political group was in formation which would endeavor in next special session of Parliament to turn country away from France in direction of US. Savang said he thoroughly realized this would be extremely dangerous in view of Laotian military and economic dependence on France at this moment and he thought he could checkmate any such political action, but it would be difficult. French High Commissioner had shown him proposed drafts of Manila pact and he liked none of them. Guarantees against external aggression were insufficient against Communist tactics. There should be, he argued, guarantees of “constitutional government” of Laos against Communist-provoked internal disorders.
Pathet-Lao movement, which is given some recognition in cease-fire agreement for Laos, is in itself unimportant, according to Savang; he says that in all Laos there are not more than 800 adherents with only five Communist leaders of any importance. Pathet-Lao movement is, however, Chinese invention and there is nothing in agreements to prevent China from stepping up its subsidy and backing to make phantom Pathet-Lao organization real danger to Laos.
Savang and Phouy Sannanikone,1 were much preoccupied over Souvanna Phouma’s conversations with his half-brother Souphanouvong, “leader” of the Pathet-Lao. Souvanna Phouma had just returned from all day conference with his brother at Xieng Khouang. Souphanouvong had written a statement declaring his loyalty and submission to the constitutional Government of Laos. Souvanna Phouma believes that this statement is sincere and asserted emphatically that his half-brother is not a Communist. Savang and Sannanikone believe that if not a Communist Souphanouvong is under the control of the Viet Minh. As example, Savang cited fact that Souphanouvong did not accept immediately invitation to meet with his half-brother Premier Souvanna Phouma, alleging illness as excuse for delay. Actually what happened was that Souphanouvong was required by the Viet Minh to return to Tonkin for briefing and instructions before [Page 2018] meeting with Souvanna Phouma. Souphanouvong’s wife is Vietnamese and presumably Viet Minh. Souvanna Phouma is quite willing to let his half-brother enter the government because, according to Savang, he does not understand the danger of Communist penetration and because he is moved by a feeling of family loyalty. The latter sounds somewhat remarkable since according to Savang Souvanna Phouma’s father had never recognized the legitimacy of or supported Souphanouvong on the grounds that his concubine mother had made excursions out of the harem.
When leaving Saigon Savang indicated to me that on his return he planned to change the government, presumably ousting Souvanna Phouma. Savang said that it was necessary to form a government convinced of and able to do battle with Communist penetration.
I called on Ambassador Krohsla, Chief of the International Supervisory Commission for Laos, and had a pleasant, if inconclusive, conversation.2 French High Commissioner Breal not sure this was intentional but was upset by the possibility.
Savang tells me toward the end of the year he hopes to raise Laotian Legation in Washington to an Embassy.