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

332. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos⁰

Washington, April 19, 1962, 9:21 p.m.

904. For Ambassadors Brown and Young.

For Brown: In presenting the President’s letter to King¹ the President desires that you make orally following points to the King in language you consider most effective:

1. The President has consulted the Congressional leadership and neither he nor they are prepared to contemplate committing US troops in Laos. The President does not intend at this time to make a public statement to this effect. Nevertheless he wishes the King to understand fully the US will not intervene militarily in Laos and the Royal Lao Government must realize that no act or effort on their part is going to change this decision. Despite his present intention not to, the President will make this known publicly if it necessary to prevent a misunderstanding of US policy in Lao political circles.

2. US Govt. fully intends to take all steps within its power to assure a just and equitable implementation of the step-by-step measures necessary to assure a neutral and independent Laos. This includes the necessary safeguards to assure a balanced withdrawal of all foreign military forces and the proportional integration of the present three armed forces into the new organizational structure. In this process we are prepared to be of assistance to the FAR so that it may maintain its integrity during this period. The US Government will assist the coalition government to the extent possible so that the elections to be later carried out may be conducted freely and fairly. If so conducted we are confident that the majority of the Lao electorate will express their anti-Communist feelings.

3. The US Government stands ready and indeed desires to give all assistance to the coalition government in the economic, social and military fields as is appropriate under the terms of the Geneva Agreements and agreed between our respective governments.

4. The President and his government consider it important that General Phoumi take an active and prominent part in the coalition government. His forceful leadership and the principles he represents are necessary to make the coalition a viable one. As a relatively young man he should have years of fruitful and beneficial service to his country ahead of him.

For Young: You authorized give gist foregoing to Sarit/Thanat when you inform them of contents President’s letter to King.

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.51J/4–1962. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Koren, cleared by Cross and McGeorge Bundy, cleared in draft by Harriman and Forrestal, and approved by Koren. Sent also to Bangkok as telegram 1603.
1. See footnote 3, Document 326.