LON NOL'S RESIGNATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-512-5-6-1
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: February 1, 2010
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: April 21, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/01 : LOC-HAK-512-5-6-1
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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/01 : LOC-HAK-512-5-6-1
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/01 LOC-HAK-512-5-6-1
CENTRAL , INTELLIGENCE' AGENCY
WASHINGTON, I.C. 20505
21 April 1,971
MEMORANDUM FOR: Brigadier General Alexander M. Haig
Deputy Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs
The following message (Phnom Penh 1563) from Mr. Ladd for
Brigadier General Haig was received this morning, Zl April 1971.
"Top Secret Sensitive Exclusively Eyes Only
"To: Brig. Gen. Haig, The White House
"From: Mr. Ladd, Phnom Penh 1.563
111. 1 talked to Gen. Sak. Sutsakhan at noon today 71. April.
1H 1e and the other principal Generals not signatories to t11- e letter
protesting Gen. Lon Nol's resignation were, repeat were, aware
that it was being prepared and concurred in the project as an
expression of loyalty by representatives of all elements of the
FANK. In their own way, they felt sri.ch a letter should not contain
the signatures of all responsible senior officers 'as it might be
misconstrued by someone as a threat of some sort that the military
might take some unilateral action. ' Although all of the senior officers
have intense loyalty to the General, they believed the action taken was
'more democratic.'
"Z At 1600 this afternoon 1 learned that following the bicameral
meeting_ of the Assembly and Senate this morning, Cheng Hong went
to Gen. Lon Nol to request that he reconsider his resignation and
form a new government. There has not been time for an answer to
be delivered but my guess is that Len Nol will thank the two h.ouseMs
for their loyalty but Stier. to his e'lOOclsi_on to resin.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/01 : LOC-HAK-512-5-6-1
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/01: LOC-HAK-512-5-6-1
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"3. The more often I talk to Sak Sutsakhan and as the events
unfold, it appears that although Lon Nol is serious about resigning
for reasons of health, he intends to keep 'the principal reins in his
hands from behind the wings' and reenter the political arena at a
later time.
114. Although the present procedure may seem to westerners
to be an unnecessarily complex system of accomplishing certain
changes in government, the orientals have some strange political
procedures that seem to make sense to them and often in the long
run work rather well. This may be one of those strange maneuvers
and all indications are that it is fully under control so far.
"5. Sak Sutsakhan said to pass on to you that Gen. Lon Nol
will soon be sending a personal message to the President assuring
him that there will be no change in the thrust of the Khmer pr. ogran.-a
along with his thanks for all we have done and are doing for the
G KR.
"6. 1 will keep you informed. All is calm and no--trial at
this time. Warm regards.
"Top Secret Sensitive Exclusively Eyes Only"
Thomas H. Kararnessines
Deputy Director for Plans
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/01 : LOC-HAK-512-5-6-1