Office of the Historian

96. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State1

Vientiane, March 12, 1956—10 a.m.

1166. Bangkok pass Robertson and Young. Crown Prince has expressed to me indignation and alarm at recent declarations French Foreign Minister2 which he felt weakened confidence both in basic posture of France and in efficacy of SEATO. It was his opinion that, in view revolution of Indochinese states during last two years, France no longer has role to play in SEATO, though realizes he can hardly be excluded at this stage. He said very earnestly that he hoped US would continue to provide firm and effective support to SEATO. Otherwise Laos would have no alternative but to follow path of Cambodia into “passive neutralism”.

I assured him that US Government is standing and is determined to continue to stand firmly behind SEATO. I believe, however, a personal message from the Secretary to Savang along these lines would be most helpful.3

Yost
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790.5/3–1256. Secret. Repeated priority to Paris, Saigon, Phnom Penh, and Bangkok. The Legation in Laos was raised to Embassy status on August 10, 1955.↩
  2. Apparent reference to a speech delivered by Pineau before the Anglo-American Press Association of Paris on March 2, in which the Foreign Minister criticized the United States in particular for its support of Ngo Dinh Diem in Vietnam and the Western powers as a group for an overemphasis on military security.↩
  3. Telegram 950 to Vientiane, March 12, repeated to Saigon, Phnom Penh, and Paris and priority to Bangkok, requested that Yost draft a statement and transmit it to Bangkok for the Secretary. (Department of State, Central Files, 790.5/3–1256) See Tosec 623, infra.↩