270. Editorial Note
On September 15, Assistant Secretary of State J. Graham Parsons met with French Ambassador Hervé Alphand. On the next day, Under Secretary of State Robert Murphy conferred with Alphand. These U.S. officials requested the meetings because of their concern over conflicting French and American views of the situation in Laos, especially the military threat posed by North Vietnam and the Pathet Lao and the role that the United Nations should play in meeting that danger. Speaking to Parsons on September 15, Alphand did not deny that France saw the situation differently; but he stated that both countries had similar objectives in keeping Laos “neutral but leaning towards the West.” In the meeting on September 16, Alphand requested closer French-U.S. consultations on Laos and made the personal suggestion that Secretary Herter, French Foreign Minister Couve de Murville, and British Foreign Secretary Lloyd use the occasion of their attendance at the United Nations to meet and discuss Laos. Murphy told Alphand that France’s differing opinions on the threat “added up to negative attitude” which could only make the situation in Laos worse. (Memoranda of conversation, September 15 and 16; Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/9–1559 and 751J.00/9–1659, respectively; both included in the microfiche supplement) Regarding the Foreign Ministers meeting in New York, see Document 273.