Reference: Your telegram to Vientiane No. 78? and New Delhi No. 316 of May 16.?

Repeat New Delhi No. 61.

At meeting of May 21 Indian Acting Chairman expressed view that holding of free elections should be our goal and that one of the steps leading to it was restoration of Royal Administration in northern provinces. It was agreed that we would all set to work and that for my part I would submit draft resolution for restoration of Royal Administration.

2. Yesterday I submitted my text, cleared with Royal Government, which I consider improvement on that previously submitted to you and which I am communicating in my immediately following telegram.

3. Poles allege that Commission is not competent to pass such recommendation on ground that question of restoration of Royal Administration may not be disassociated from political settlement.⁶²

4. Indians, desperately non-committal, indicated they have in mind to ask Royal Government how they propose implementing paragraph A of their Geneva declaration if Pathet Lao accept to reintegrate. They would then turn to Pathet Lao and ask them why they do not reintegrate under those conditions. My opinion is that Pathet Lao would raise other unacceptable conditions and that nothing would be done.

5. I am sure that my resolution, if accepted by Indians would be rejected by Poles and ultimately by the Pathet Lao on ground of unconstitutionality. At least we would save our honour and disengage our responsibility lest Royal Government resort to force and accuse International Commission of not having attempted to assist them in their just claim.

6. Indians privately agree with my legal interpretation but fear that passing of resolution might affect adversely proposed good offices mission of Mr. Sen. If you approve of my attitude our Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi might assist in convincing Indians that adoption of resolution would not impair chances of success of Mr. Sen.

7. Once this resolution would have been rejected by Pathet Lao, I would propose informing members of the Geneva Conference of such rejection as well as of Pathet Lao rejection of Indian declaration, resolution and Nong Khang resolution (no reply has yet been received from Pathet Lao High Command about Nong Khang resolution but I have no doubt they will also reject it).

[L.] MAYRAND