401. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Brubeck) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)0
Private Armies Issue at the Geneva Conference on Laos
In our negotiations we have attempted to give the ICC a function of supervision and control over the integration and demobilization of the Lao armed forces. The communists have refused to permit any provision in the agreement which would give the ICC such functions. Therefore, our recent efforts have been directed toward persuading Souvanna to include language which would accomplish this in the proposed Lao Declaration of Neutrality or as a part of the Laos cease-fire arrangements. We do not know whether Souvanna will be able or willing to agree. Authority is requested to drop the issue if it appears that the negotiations will break down on this point.1
In this connection it has been our feeling that the ICC’s role in integration and demobilization would not be the decisive factor in the process. A more important factor would be the maintenance of the strength and effectiveness of the FAR to balance the PL if they do not demobilize during the integration period.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Laos: General, 6/26/62–6/30/62. Confidential. On the Department of State copy, Koren was indicated as the drafter, Harriman cleared, and Legal Adviser Abram Chayes cleared in draft. E.S. Little of S/S signed for Brubeck. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/6–2762)↩
- In an attached covering memorandum to Bundy, Brubeck requested the President’s authority to use the fallback position described in this sentence. On the Department of State copy there was an indication that the President approved on July 5.↩