Office of the Historian

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

Washington, March 21, 1962, 4:08 p.m.

1428. Bangkok Eyes Only for Harriman and Brown. In view apparent impossibility getting Phoumi to Bangkok wish emphasize President does not preclude Harriman going to Vientiane if necessary to see Phoumi and in fact hopes this might be arranged in a dignified manner satisfactory to Harriman. Even if Phoumi finally went to Bangkok as result of strong pressures from Thais and ourselves he would probably take position unable to commit himself without going back to his colleagues. We also see advantages in Harriman meeting other members [Page 662] RLG face to face which would conceivably give Phoumi face-saving way out, and enable us to convince all RLG of our determination to carry through on Souvanna solution. Therefore if Harriman concurs suggest that both Vientiane and Bangkok try to arrange for formal RLG invitation to Harriman to visit Vientiane.

Harriman’s reiterated recommendation contained final paragraph Bangkok’s 1450 notal1 is being brought again to attention of the President and we will comment further later.

Ball
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/3–2162. Secret; Niact; Eyes Only. Drafted by Cross; cleared by Koren, Johnson, and McGeorge Bundy; and approved by Rice. Also sent niact to Vientiane and repeated eyes only to Geneva for the Secretary.↩
  2. Document 313.↩