Office of the Historian

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

Washington, May 3, 1961, 12:09 a.m.

1207. For Ambassador from Secretary. On basis [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] report that Pathet Lao have called for general cease fire effective 0800 May 3, am assuming you will counsel RLG to cooperate without raising complicating issues on picayune details. Alertness to major evidence bad faith obviously indicated but our information Moscow suggests cease fire probably real. Co-chairmen have apparently agreed prompt dispatch ICC to Laos upon cease fire; if so, RLG should give full cooperation. Phoumi & RLG should carry on with steadiness in areas under RLG control pending final political settlement [Page 172] internally and internationally. RLG can improve chances genuinely neutral Laos by conduct in this admittedly difficult period. FYI. If you think there are any measures we can take financial or otherwise to strengthen position non-communists in immediate future please advise soonest. End FYI.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/5–361. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted and approved by Rusk and cleared with U. Alexis Johnson. Repeated priority to Bangkok, London, and Phnom Penh.↩