388. Editorial Note
At the 458th meeting of the National Security Council on September 7, in his usual briefing, “Significant World Developments Affecting U.S. Security,” Allen Dulles reported on the situation in Laos as follows:
“Turning finally to Laos, Mr. Dulles said the situation there continued unsettled. Last week he had reported to the Council on the formation of a new cabinet. As anticipated, Phoumi has not dared to go back to Vientiane as long as Kong Le was in control there. Phoumi was still in Savannakhet. Souvanna Phouma was urging him to return to Vientiane and had undertaken to secure his safety. Phoumi, however, was not likely to return voluntarily as long as Kong Le had arms. Souvanna Phouma had set a time limit of two days for his return. Phoumi would like an American guarantee of his safety. Mr. Dulles observed that such a guarantee would be difficult to carry out without force of arms. Souvanna Phouma meanwhile was engaged in negotiations with the Pathet Lao which, Mr. Dulles felt, were somewhat ominous. Phoumi is Sarit’s nephew and is in touch with him. Mr. Dulles stated that he felt it would be unwise for the Thais to guarantee Phoumi’s safety.
“Secretary Herter observed that a good deal depended on what Phoumi wanted to do. Why he accepted the Vice Premiership, knowing the danger involved in returning to Vientiane, was not certain. Whether he accepted the Vice Premiership in good faith was not clear. Phoumi’s situation is complicated because of his relationship to Sarit; there were rumors that the Thais were involved in backing him.” (Memorandum of discussion, September 7; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)