Office of the Historian

315. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Thailand0

Washington, March 22, 1962, 9:09 p.m.

1447. For Harriman.

In view of fact you will go Vientiane without authorization actually institute military sanctions, Dept. suggests you might seek among others limited objective of getting Three Princes’ negotiations going. If Phoumi is to put on other side onus of refusal negotiate,1 or being unyielding in negotiations, he must invite talks and carry them far enough discover what sort cabinet distribution and arrangements for military establishment he in fact could get, hopefully, such negotiations might inch two sides closer to agreement, or at least by keeping talking going help hold present situation.

Ball
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/3–2262. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Rice, cleared by Koren, and approved by Johnson.↩
  2. In telegram 1463 from Bangkok, March 23, Harriman characterized this telegram as “unrealistic” and stated that, “Whole world knows Phoumi has not at any time negotiated in good faith. No way onus can be placed on other side.” (Ibid., 751J.00/3–2362)↩