Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXIV, Laos Crisis

310. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Thailand⁰

Washington, March 20, 1962, 8:38 p.m.

1424. Eyes Only for Harriman and Ambassadors. Hong Kong’s 1010, March 20,¹ and Bangkok’s 1441, March 20.²

The President is very reluctant to authorize a decision at this time to invoke military sanctions against Phoumi as he is concerned that such action could be used by Phoumi to give the impression that Phoumi was undercut by the US at a time when he could have held his own. While it is recognized it will be difficult to find proper moment to begin on course of military sanctions against Phoumi, the President does not desire to start this course until further efforts have been made to obtain cooperation by Phoumi. However, the President will be glad to receive Harriman’s further recommendations in this regard after Harriman has seen Sarit and it is seen whether Sarit’s efforts to obtain presence of Phoumi in Bangkok are successful.

However, the President desires that Harriman make it absolutely clear to both Sarit and Phoumi that under present circumstances, no matter which side in fact may break the cease-fire, the image here will be that this has been brought about by Phoumi’s intransigeance and that the President will not be able in present set of international circumstances intervene in support of Phoumi.

The President feels very important that, if at all possible, Harriman personally talk with Phoumi even if this requires some postponement of Harriman’s departure from Bangkok.

Ball

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/3–2062. Secret; Niact; Eyes Only. Drafted by U. Alexis Johnson; cleared in substance with McGeorge Bundy; cleared by Rice, Koren, and Cross; and approved by Johnson. Repeated niact to Vientiane.
1. Not found.
2. In telegram 1441, Young reported that he had taken up the question of Phoumi’s visit with Sarit, Thanat, and Wallop during an appointment which was already scheduled for March 20. All three Thais had negative reactions to Phoumi’s refusal to come to Bangkok. Sarit directed Wallop to go to Phoumi in Savannakhet to “press” him to meet with Harriman and Sarit in Thailand. Sarit promised Young that they would do all in their power to bring about a meeting. When Young told Sarit that there was still suspicion in Washington that he was secretly encouraging Phoumi, Sarit “bellowed a vehement denial.” Young considered that Sarit was sincere in his professions that Thailand was not secretly supporting Phoumi. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/3–2062)