Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, South and Southeast Asia, Volume XV

507. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Embassy in Thailand¹

Paris, December 18, 1958—8 p.m.

3. Deliver following message Field Marshal Srisdi from Secretary.² Inform Department date and time delivery.

“Paris, France, December 18, 1958

Dear Field Marshal Srisdi:

I thank you for your thoughtful letter of November 8, 1958³ and particularly express my appreciation for your statement of desire to maintain and enhance the already close bonds of friendship between the United States and Thailand. This entirely corresponds with the intent of the United States Government. Therefore, I am also confident that the mutually beneficial relations which have existed for so long between our two countries will result in even more cordial understanding and cooperation in the future.

In following developments in your country I have especially noted your forthright public statements reaffirming Thailand’s alignment with the free world and its support of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, as well as the steps being taken to maintain the independence of Thailand against the insidious threat of Communist infiltration and subversion. I am confident that by maintaining such steadfastness of purpose and faithfulness to our ideals, we of the free world will hasten the coming of that day when we shall be relieved of the heavy burden to defense to devote our energies and resources to the building of a better life for all.

I will continue to follow with interest the steps that are being taken in Thailand to meet its immediate problems and to restore the life of your nation to its normal course.

Please accept my warm personal regards.

Sincerely yours, John Foster Dulles”

Signed original being pouched. Department desires text this message not become public. If Srisdi desires do so, inform Department at least 24 hours in advance.⁴

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 792.00/12–1858. Confidential. Repeated to the Department of State as Secto 30, which is the source text. Secretary Dulles was in Paris for the Ministerial Session of the North Atlantic Council.
2. The text of the message was drafted in the Department and sent to Paris for the Secretary’s approval in Tosec 27, December 17. (Ibid., 611.92/12–1758)
3. See Document 503.
4. Telegram 1556 from Bangkok, December 22, reported that Sarit was anxious to release the texts of Secretary Dulles’ letter and the letter on economic aid (see infra). Ambassador Johnson concurred after “considerable discussion,” noting: “Believe last substantive paragraph Secretary’s letter particularly timely and its public release now will be useful here.” (Department of State, Central Files, 792.00/12–2258)