363. Paper Prepared by the Assistant White House Staff Secretary (Eisenhower)1
SYNOPSIS OF STATE AND INTELLIGENCE MATERIAL REPORTED TO THE PRESIDENT
Laos
State reports that the King has accepted the resignation of the Somsanith government, of which the strong man, Phoumi, is the Defense Minister.2 He apparently refuses to accept the action. Sarit, in Thailand, has expressed irritation with U.S. inaction on this matter. It should be noted that Sarit is a relative of Phoumi’s and probably hoped to gain special favors for Thailand in Laos through this connection. Furthermore, the Thais seem to want to put the bulk of the responsibility on us.
Radio Vientiane, controlled by the rebels, claims that Souvanna Phouma has been designated Premier. This is not confirmed at the moment. Apparently the assembly vote of no confidence for the Somsanith government under duress, being in the hands of Kong Le. The king apparently wishes to avoid a military showdown.
Subsidiary matters include reports that the rebel 2d paratroop battalion had not been paid for two months, that employment of the 1st paratroop battalion would result in the two units joining together in true airborne fashion.
[Here follows material on subjects unrelated to Laos.]
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries. Top Secret.↩
- Reported in telegram 288 from Vientiane, August 15. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/8–1560; included in the microfiche supplement)↩