United States has warned against efforts to seize control of or to subvert that free nation."

The Soviet allegation that Lao Army troops have been recently armed with weapons which they have not had before is completely false. Such supplies as have been furnished by the United States to the forces in Laos, in whatever region, have been provided pursuant to a longstanding agreement with Laos, and with the approval of the legal Government of Laos. The Lao Army had been equipped with M-24 tanks and 105 millimeter howitzers long before the August 9, 1960 rebellion against the Royal Lao Government. The United States has not in fact supplied any equipment of this type to Laos since 1957. The United States has never supplied 120 millimeter mortars, armed aircraft, or armed or armored vessels to Laos. The United States has not brought any arms or ammunition into Laos since the end of November. No United States-supplied helicopters have been used to direct artillery fire. Furthermore, such American advisers as have been in the country either administering the American Military Aid Program or in the Franco-American training program are located at various training sites and supply depots and have not led any military actions.

It is communist and communist-fostered subversive activities, the guerrilla warfare of the Pathet Lao forces, and now the Soviet airlift of weapons which have led directly to the suffering and chaos which have befallen Laos. The Soviet Government and its agents have attempted to carry out this latest, grave action clandestinely, under the cover of delivering food and petroleum products. However, their haste to strengthen the rebel forces in Laos has resulted in widespread knowledge of these Soviet arms deliveries, which have included the howitzers which the rebels are now using against loyal troops of the Lao Government, a government formed at Royal request pursuant to the National Assembly's action. The destruction which these Soviet weapons have brought to the capital city of Laos and the suffering and loss to its people is the direct result of this Soviet intervention."

At the same time, communist-controlled north Viet-Nam, which has long aided and furnished direction to the Pathet Lao guerrillas in Laos, has been making war-like preparations, calling up additional troops and moving military units westward toward the Lao border.

In the light of these facts the Government of the United States, in rejecting the false charges of the Soviet Government in its note of December 13, places the responsibility for the current strife in Laos where that responsibility properly belongs-squarely upon the U.S.S.R. and its agents. The Government of the United States, fur

See supra.

I.e., the revolt headed by the neutralist Army officer, Captain Kong Le, which overthrew the government of Prince Tiao Somsanith.

7

Vientiane, occupied and held by army units commanded by Captain Kong Le on Dec. 9-10, supplied with weapons of Pathet Lao and Russian origin beginning Dec. 11, suffered a state of siege, Dec. 13-16, from loyal army units commanded by General Phoumi Nosavan; these units took control of the city on Dec. 16.

thermore, condemns in strongest terms the illegal Russian delivery of military equipment to the rebels in Laos.

It has always been the objective of the United States to assist the people of Laos in developing their free political institutions, in improving their social and economic well being and in preserving their national integrity. The policy of the United States towards Laos remains the same today.

322. "THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE THE MOST SERIOUS VIEW OF ANY INTERVENTION IN LAOS BY THE CHINESE COMMUNISTS OR VIET MINH": Statement Read to Correspondents by the Deputy Director of the Office of News (Reap), Department of State, December 31, 1960 °

8

The Department is following with close attention the grave situation in Laos, including in particular reports of intervention from the outside. It is also consulting with Allied governments. Mindful of its obligations under the SEATO Treaty, the United States Government would take the most serious view of any intervention in Laos by the Chinese Communists or Viet Minh armed forces or others in support of the Communist Pathet Lao, who are in rebellion against the Royal Laotian Government.

323. NEPALESE-UNITED

NEPAL

STATES "FRIENDLY AND FRUITFUL DISCUSSION ON VARIOUS MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST": Joint Communiqué Issued at Washington by the President of the United States (Eisenhower) and the King of Nepal (Mahendra), April 28, 19601

The President of the United States and His Majesty Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Deva, King of Nepal, today held a friendly and fruitful discussion on various matters of mutual interest.

King Mahendra, who is visiting the United States upon the invitation of the President, has also addressed a joint session of the United States Congress.2 At the conclusion of his Washington stay on April 30, King Mahendra will begin a twelve-day coast-to-coast tour of the

* Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 16, 1961, p. 76. See supra.

1 White House press release dated Apr. 28, 1960 (text as printed in the Department of State Bulletin, May 23, 1960, pp. 827-828). The King and Queen of Nepal spent the period Apr. 25-June 1 in the United States; the official portion of their visit covered the period up to May 12.

'Apr. 28; text ibid., pp. 828-830.

Docs. 322, 323

United States, during which he will meet with various civic, cultural, and business leaders.

The President expressed great admiration for the steps which have been taken under the leadership of King Mahendra to foster the growth of democracy in Nepal, as exemplified by the promulgation of a constitution by the King and by the holding of general elections in 1959 under the provisions of that constitution.*

3

In their review of the world situation, the President and King Mahendra expressed their mutual concern with the vital problem of achieving lasting peace and establishing a world order based on international justice. They reaffirmed their determination to work toward those goals, the achievement of which will contribute immensely to the general progress, prosperity, and welfare of mankind.

The President and King Mahendra agreed that the American people and the Nepalese people have in common the virtues of tolerance, charity, and benevolence, which virtues should serve as the basis of relations between all nations. The President and King Mahendra agreed further that Nepal and the United States share a profound belief in the sovereignty and independence of nations and in genuine noninterference in the affairs of others. The President and King Mahendra agreed that any attempt by any nation to impose its own economic system or political beliefs on any other country should be condemned.

The President and King Mahendra expressed a common belief that social and economic progress should be achieved by all peoples in the manner of their own choosing and in government based on consent of the governed and the dignity of the human individual. In this spirit, the President assured King Mahendra of the continuing readiness of the United States to be of assistance to the Government of Nepal in its high objective of developing the resources of the country for the welfare of its people.

The President and King Mahendra expressed their mutual desire to maintain and further strengthen the cordiality and genuine friendship which has always characterized Nepalese-American relations and which has been so evident during the King's visit.

THE PHILIPPINES

"MAY I ASK YOUR EXCELLENCY TO INCREASE THE PHILIPPINE SUGAR QUOTA BY ANY AMOUNT YOU DEEM JUST AND FAIR": Telegram From the President of the Philippines (Garcia) to the President of the United States (Eisenhower), March 17, 19601

1

These elections were held during February and March 1959.

Attachment to White House press release dated Apr. 4, 1960; the Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 25, 1960, p. 665.

"AFTER WEEKS OF MOST CAREFUL STUDY OF THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE TIME IS NOT PROPITIOUS TO RECOMMEND ANY CHANGE IN THE PRESENT STRUCTURE OF [SUGAR] QUOTAS ASSIGNED TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES": Telegram From the President of the United States (Eisenhower) to the President of the Philippines (Garcia), March 31, 1960 2

324. PHILIPPINE-UNITED STATES "FRANK AND CORDIAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST": Joint Statement Issued at Manila by the President of the Republic of the Philippines (Garcia) and the President of the United States (Eisenhower), June 16, 1960s

President Eisenhower, at the invitation of President [Carlos] Garcia, paid a state visit to the Philippines on June 14 to 16, 1960, returning the visit of President Garcia to the United States two years ago.* President Eisenhower recalled his personal association with the Philippines extending over a period of many years. As the first President of the United States to visit the Philippines while in office, he expressed his deep sense of satisfaction that he had been afforded this opportunity to attest to the admiration and affection which the government and people of the United States feel toward their Philippine allies.

President Garcia, on his part, viewed the affection shown to President Eisenhower by the Filipino people as a grateful remembrance of the latter's tour of duty in the Philippines some twenty-five years ago and their admiration for his military leadership in the second world war and his dedicated labors for a just and lasting world peace.

The visit afforded President Garcia and President Eisenhower, together with other officials of both governments, an opportunity for a frank and cordial exchange of views on matters of mutual interest. In a review of the international situation and of the bilateral relations of the two countries, the two Presidents:

1. Reaffirmed the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding which have historically joined the Filipino and American governments and peoples.

2. Noted the problems facing the free world at the beginning of the new decade and discussed the possibility of increased tensions in view of recent statements by Communist leaders in Moscow and Peiping.

2 White House press release dated Apr. 4, 1960; ibid.

3 White House (Manila) press release dated June 16, 1960 (text as printed in the Department of State Bulletin, July 25, 1960, pp. 132-133). The President addressed a joint session of the Philippine Congress, June 15 (text ibid., pp. 127130), and a public reception in his honor at Luneta, June 16 (text ibid., pp. 130-132).

See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, pp. 1249-1251.

They renewed their determination to support the work of the United Nations and the objectives of the United Nations' Charter in the interest of true international peace and progress based on justice and the dignity of the individual."

3. Assessed the continuing threat to peace in the Far East posed by Communist China. They reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation in insuring the independence of the nations of Southeast Asia. They emphasized the important role of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization in furthering such cooperation and in developing a sense of regional solidarity; and they noted with satisfaction the contribution being made by the Philippines toward strengthening its ties with its Asian neighbors.

4. Noted that President Eisenhower's visit and the warm response thereto by the Filipino people provided renewed evidence of the strength and vitality of the alliance between the Philippines and the United States and of its essential contribution to the security of Southeast Asia. To promote the continuing strength of the alliance and to enable the Philippines to discharge its obligation thereunder, they emphasized the importance of close military collaboration and planning between the appropriate authorities of their countries. They further expressed the view that this close military collaboration and planning should be aimed at the maximum effectiveness in formulating and executing United States military assistance programs and in furthering Philippine defensive capability in the light of modern requirements.

5

5. Noted the recent meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SEATO held in Washington and expressed satisfaction with the continuing effectiveness of the SEATO as a deterrent to Communist aggression in Southeast Asia. They were also gratified that the Washington conference had given attention to the economic objectives of the SEATO, recognizing the importance of economic cooperation between and among the members.

6

6. Recalled the provisions of the Mutual Defense Treaty. President Eisenhower, on his part, renewed the assurance he had made to President Garcia in Washington that under the provisions of this treaty and other defensive agreements between the Philippines and the United States and in accordance with the deployments and dispositions thereunder, any armed attack against the Philippines would involve an attack against the United States Forces stationed there and against the United States and would instantly be repelled. It was noted that this understanding was included in the agreement reached between the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and the Ambassador of the United States on October 12, 1959.7

7. Noted with satisfaction the considerable progress that had been made in talks between the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and the Ambassador of the United States towards settlement

6

Б See ante, doc. 304.

Text in American Foreign Policy, 1950–1955: Basic Documents, pp. 873-875. 'Not printed.

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