Office of the Historian

403. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Brubeck) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)0

Washington, June 27, 1962.

Civilian Technicians Issue at the Geneva Conference on Laos

This issue concerns the general prohibition in the Geneva Agreement on the introduction of military personnel into Laos. The US along with the UK and France made a reservation to this provision to the effect that we should await the view of the Government of Laos on the desirability of an exception to the prohibition for foreign civilian technicians. The purpose of this reservation was to retain if possible the services of the 300 or so Filipino technicians presently in Laos with the FAR.

Both the British and French have now had second thoughts about the wisdom of the exception and have recommended on the contrary the inclusion of even more prohibitory language on the introduction of military personnel. They point out that the exception we have been seeking would also open the door to communist civilian technicians. This has become an issue between us in preparing our joint positions for the resumed Conference.

A USG decision is required on this issue within the next two or three days so that the French can discuss the joint draft Lao Declaration of Neutrality with Souvanna. We will continue our efforts to work out some solution permitting the continued utilization of these technicians. However, if after negotiations with Souvanna Phouma, such a solution appears impossible, authority is requested to drop the attempt to obtain an exception in the Lao Declaration to cover the Filipino technicians.1 Under the agreement the French will be the only foreign military presence in Laos. Therefore we should direct our efforts to persuade the French to assume as many of the functions performed by the Filipinos as possible.

  1. 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)↩
  2. 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.↩