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

317. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State⁰

Vientiane, March 25, 1962, 2 p.m.

1325. From Harriman.

Traveled to Nong Khai with Sarit and Thanat to meet Phoumi. Young, Forrestal and Sullivan, also Generals Wallop and Bounleut present. (Brown still in hospital.) Discussion lasted nearly three hours, followed by lunch at Thai Governor’s house. Sarit put situation so squarely to Phoumi that I was able to support his position. Phoumi had choice of being responsible for military takeover of his country by Pathet Lao or working with support of United States, Thais and other friendly countries to make Souvanna-led government remain independent. Thanat joined in argument effectively and suggested a troika solution either vertical or horizontal for Defense and Interior, namely, either three top positions in each ministry divided among three groups or troika committee in charge. Discussion finally centered on urging Phoumi have RLG invite Souvanna in Vientiane, but I underlined that this meeting would be useless unless Phoumi were prepared to negotiate in good faith re these two ministries.

Phoumi stubbornly resisted all arguments, claiming Souvanna had failed in his mission to form government. Finally, however, he agreed to put question up to his associates and he would not object to invitation of Souvanna. He took me to Vientiane in his plane but insisted that I tell no one, not even King or Boun Oum, of Nong Khai talks. Of course a leak has occurred through Agence France Presse reporter said to have been in Nong Khai. Embassy and I have remained silent.

Futile talk with King and inconclusive dinner discussion with Boun Oum, Phoumi and seven of his principal colleagues, plus our country team, reported subsequent tels.¹

During dinner Boun Oum in proposing toast to President read prepared statement explaining why his government resisted Souvanna solution.

Only progress so far has been Sarit’s action in supporting our position.

Further discussion with Phoumi group set for 1000 hours Sunday morning.

Creel

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/3–2562. Secret; Niact. Repeated niact to Bangkok, London, and Paris, priority to Geneva for Fecon, CINCPAC for POLAD, and Moscow, and to Saigon and Phnom Penh.
1. Harriman stated that his “two-hour futile talk with the King hardly worth reporting.” The King stated that the Pathet Lao were a front for the North Vietnamese who for centuries had tried to conquer Laos. The King, according to Harriman, believed that a Souvanna-led coalition would let them attain that objective. (Telegram 1477 from Bangkok, March 26; ibid., 751J.00/3–2662) The Embassy in Vientiane reported on the Harriman-Savang meeting in telegram 1336 from Vientiane, March 26. (Ibid.)