Office of the Historian

147. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Cambodia1

Washington, November 15, 1964, 2:57 p.m.

265. In view developments reported your 314,2 we consider that it may be useful to make complete record US willingness to try work out problems between USG and RKG. As Deptel 264 reports, we have already expressed to French our willingness consider meeting at some [Page 334] neutral point between USG and RKG representatives to find improved basis for normal diplomatic relations. French may or may not pass this on (which we did not specifically ask them to do), but we consider that urging French to do so at this late stage would be both difficult and uncertain whether message would get though in proper tone. Although such message might conceivably give Sihanouk handle to postpone break, we consider this unlikely and are thinking largely in terms of full record.

Accordingly, you are authorized convey to appropriate RKG official that USG hopes RKG can take time to consider implications any break diplomatic relations and that one possibility that might assist the problem would be to designate representatives to meet at a neutral point to discuss our differences.

If circumstances such that any such approach prior to Assembly meeting would have dramatic flavor (e.g., public setting), you should seek occasion later in day—assuming that no break announcement has come—to convey message.3

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 17 CAMB–US. Secret; Flash. Drafted and approved by Bundy and cleared by Rusk.↩
  2. In telegram 314 from Phnom Penh, November 15, the Embassy suggested that judging from the tone of Sihanoukʼs speeches and his actions, “we are closer to break [in diplomatic relations] than ever before.” (Ibid.)↩
  3. The Cambodian Government accepted “with alacrity” the idea of a meeting of representatives at a neutral site. It proposed as its representative Son Sann, private counselor to Sihanouk, and suggested New Delhi as the site. (Telegram 1093 to Saigon, November 16; ibid., POL CAMB–US) The Department of State agreed and designated Ambassador Phillip W. Bonsal to conduct these talks as Special Representative of the President. (Telegram 284 to Phnom Penh, November 24; ibid.) Printed from an unsigned copy.↩