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

92. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State⁰

Vientiane, May 16, 1961, 11 a.m.

2084. For about one hour late evening 15 May Phoumi spoke his mind to Hasey. Following summary of the one way conversation:

Phoumi flatly stated does not understand US policy. US says one thing; does another. For months US took strong position against allowing ICC into Laos; opposed any 14-nation conference; stood firmly against Pathet Lao participation in government; and only two or three days ago publicly stated that Soviet proposal to seat PLG conference table was unacceptable. But Phoumi continued, US actions were very different. Phoumi asked many times, after talking on various subjects, “is US abandoning Laos?”

Phoumi said that King would never leave LP; that King had told him not to have helicopter standing by as he would never shirk tasks left him by his father. King would leave his blood in LP but would never run away.

Several times Phoumi asked what would US do if LP and/or Vientiane were attacked. Phoumi pointed out how possible attack could take place within very few days. Phoumi claims that enemy is already probing his outer Vientiane defenses.

Phoumi claims that enemy is strong because it has “determined friends.” Enemy’s friends did not make Viet Minh and ChiComs leave Laos when ICC came in like the Americans made the Thais leave.

At one point Hasey stated that Phoumi must have confidence in US and sometimes it is necessary to give a little to gain a lot. Phoumi said that he alone was responsible for running his country and he had to make decisions on facts, not blind confidence. Phoumi also said that when King recently questioned him on his policies he replied to King that he was forced to follow blindly American line and he had no idea where it would go.

Phoumi claims that “everyone” from King on down ask him, “Where are your American friends now?” also, “Is America really abandoning Laos?”

Brown

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/5–1661. Secret; Niact. Repeated priority to Geneva for Fecon and to Canberra, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, London, Paris, Saigon, and CINCPAC for POLAD.