Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, East Asia-Pacific Region; Cambodia; Laos, Volume XVI

33. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

Washington, April 11, 1959—6:20 p.m.

9029. Manila for Parsons. London’s 5621.²

1. British Embassy informed Department officer April 11 UK considered “fire brigade” leak reflected Reuters report from Wellington unfortunate for two reasons. First it would give wrong impression to bloc and neutralist countries re SEATO intentions. Second it would arouse RLG curiosity as to nature SEATO planning re Laos.

2. Said British understood “fire brigade” intended for use in Laos only in event internal situation got out of hand and not to cope with situation envisaged in Article IV. Had some reservations about idea since such use SEATO forces might provoke violent ChiCom reaction, offend neutral Asian opinion and raise Geneva Accords question. Had therefore hoped such planning would not become known outside SEATO. Considered it fortunate press reports did not describe true nature planning but rather implied it concerned with Article IV situation.

3. Stated Foreign Office planned response any press inquiries by giving background information along following lines:

a) Press mention Laos as “hot spot” difficult understand since no military action of any kind in progress there. Viet Minh forces apparently crossed Lao border and installed themselves in Lao territory early in year but no shots fired. No suggestion RLG considered itself immediately threatened or appealing for foreign aid against aggression.

b) Laos protocol state and action under Article IV could be taken only in event aggression and then only at invitation of or with consent RLG.

c) Continuous process military planning goes on in SEATO as in other regional defense organizations. Such planning must provide for all eventualities in SEATO area and existence plans does not imply circumstances in which they might be used likely arise.

4. British Embassy further indicated any reply to RLG queries re nature SEATO planning this subject should be somewhat evasive and intended discourage further publicity and in general deflate matter. Suggested line that all SEATO planning hypothetical and no decisions by governments would be made until exact circumstances any situation arising known.

5. Department officer expressed initial reaction that British views set forth paragraphs 3 and 4 above seemed reasonable.

6. Department subsequently confirmed this initial reaction to British Embassy.

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790.5/4–1059. Secret. Drafted in SEA and approved by Robertson. Repeated to Vientiane, Wellington, Bangkok, Manila, and CINCPAC for POLAD.
2. In telegram 5261, April 10, the Embassy described learning from a Foreign Office official of British concern over press leaks from Wellington regarding SEATO planning for special forces including “UK and Australian contingents earmarked for special use in Laos.” (Ibid., 790.5/4–1059)