Office of the Historian

91. Telegram From the Delegation to the Conference on Laos to the Department of State0

Geneva, May 15, 1961, 11 p.m.

Secto 146. Conference on Laos—daily summary number 5, May 15.

Following receipt of instructions from Department,1 Secretary informed Lord Home that US could accept formulation to seat representatives from Laos proposed by individual governments participating in conference. In effect, we would thereby agree to disagree regarding seating question and we would propose participation of RLG as legitimate Lao Government, another delegation would propose Souvanna group for participation, and others presumably would propose PL. However, Lord Home also was informed that on basis then existing instructions RLG could not participate in conference and Lao delegates in Geneva were awaiting new instructions, from RLG.

In late morning we received message from Embassy Vientiane giving UK version of new RLG instructions to effect that RLG would be willing have no Lao representation at opening ceremonial session but could agree all three groups take part in subsequent business meetings.2 When Home informed of this development he suggested it might be possible eliminate ceremonial opening, reschedule first meeting for Tuesday, 5 p.m. Geneva time with Sihanouk opening first meeting as “business” session. UK later reported that at lunch with Gromyko today latter agreed to this suggestion.

Secretary saw Lao delegation this evening and urged them to participate at opening “business” meeting now scheduled Tuesday p.m.3 Instruction also sent Ambassador Brown to seek broader instructions for RLG delegation permit them decide question participation on spot in consultation US and other friendly delegations.4

Meanwhile, latest instructions received by RLG delegation this afternoon continue firm line RLG delegation should not participate under any circumstances in which RLG not recognized as sole legal representative; no objection seating others in qualified observer status.

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Secretary has sent personal message to Thanat explaining US concern over conference developments and urging Thai participation and support.5

US delegation engaged in intensive consultations all day in attempt make our position clear to French, Canadians, Indians, Burmese, Australians, West Germans.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/5–1561. Secret; Priority. Repeated priority to Vientiane, Moscow, Warsaw, and London, and to Paris, Phnom Penh, Saigon, Bangkok, Ottawa, New Delhi, Rangoon, Canberra, Wellington, Karachi, Manila, US UN, Djakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and priority to CINCPAC for POLAD.↩
  2. See Document 90.↩
  3. Telegram 2082 from Vientiane, May 15. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/5–1561)↩
  4. May 16.↩
  5. In telegram 25 from Geneva to Vientiane, repeated to Washington as Secto 139, May 15. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/5–1561)↩
  6. In telegram 15 from Geneva to Bangkok, repeated to Washington as Secto 126, May 15. (Ibid.)↩