Office of the Historian

19. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos1

Washington, April 2, 1964, 7:08 p.m.

815. Embtels 1062, 1074 and 1087.2 Neutralists/Conservatives. We share your great concern over recent serious deterioration in neutralist/conservative relationships in Vientiane and especially Souvanna’s loss [Page 39] of confidence in Phoumi. Obviously withdrawal of neutralists and especially Souvanna from Vientiane would endanger fragile framework we are attempting to preserve. Moreover non-communists likely suffer at tripartite meeting unless present schism healed.

As first step we consider it essential that there be improvement in security situation Vientiane, preferably including mixed inquiry for Praseuth assassination,3 joint patrols and progress toward establishment bipartite police force. In addition we believe it should be made clear to Phoumi and others concerned that we take very dim view of situation that has developed (as evidenced by casinos, pork monopoly and other shady deals) and expect drastic action to remedy situation.

Essential that there be some results reflecting improved atmosphere and relations between neutralists/conservatives before Souvanna’s return. We recognize you are doing everything possible and wish to reassure you of our full support. In talking to Phoumi, and others as necessary, we know you will be as blunt as you believe is necessary in making it clear that USG will only support those who are willing to get behind Prince Souvanna Phouma. Souvanna’s remarks to conservatives who accompanied him on Cambodia trip (A–2744) that a more genuine cooperation between Right and Center is necessary to preserve coalition fabric reflect our position also.

FYI. Connection query Embtel 1083.5

We have not yet established guidelines for implementation Recommendation 11 nor have we as yet endorsed understandings on military matters reached by Phoumi and Khanh. End FYI.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Barbis, cleared by Trueheart and Sullivan, and approved by William Bundy. Repeated to Saigon, Bangkok, London, Paris, and CINCPAC.↩
  2. Telegrams 1062, March 27; 1074, March 31; and 1087, April 2, contain reports on the deterioration of relations between Souvanna’s neutralist government ministers and Phoumi’s conservatives in Vientiane. Relations became so strained that Souvanna ordered neutralist ministers to the Plain of Jars and threatened to move himself after his trip to Hanoi and Peking. (The first two are ibid., POL 15–1 LAOS; the latter, ibid., POL 7 LAOS)↩
  3. On March 17 FAR intelligence officer Praseuth was assassinated. The Phoumi-controlled police arrested neutralist soldiers following the assassination. (Memorandum from Hughes to Rusk, April 2; Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. I, Memos, 11/63–4/64)↩
  4. Dated March 25. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 LAOS)↩
  5. Dated April 2. (Ibid., POL 27 VIET S)↩