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53 Cranborne to Commonwealth Government

Circular cablegram D265 LONDON, 21 February 1944, 10 p.m.

MOST SECRET

My telegram Circular D.1024, 25th November, 1943. [1]

My immediately following telegram [2] contains text of declaration
regarding Siam that we contemplate making at an early suitable
opportunity.

2. This declaration does not, in our opinion, tie our hands as
regards any political, economic or strategic arrangements thought
to be desirable in the interests of collective security after the
war, nor does it prejudice one way or the other, the question of
ultimate recognition of a free Siamese committee which we propose
should be left in abeyance pending further clarification of the
complex issues involved. While there may be advantage in having
Pradit outside Siam, we do not propose to offer him, or anyone
else, any inducement to come out other than this declaration. We
would not at present, for example, offer him the Presidency of a
free Siamese committee or the unfreezing of his funds. If he comes
out we can reconsider the matter. Meanwhile, our interest is
confined to seeing that the best use is made of such free Siamese
material as is at the joint disposal of the United States
Government and ourselves.

3. We are communicating the text of the proposed declaration to
the United States Government. His Majesty's United Kingdom
Ambassador, Washington, has also been asked to give the United
States Government a general statement of our policy towards Siam
on the above lines and to express the hope that they will agree to
consult with us before any further step is taken.

1 On file AA:A989, 43/895/2/1. It counselled caution in
recognising either of two Thai liberation movements, one led in
Thailand by Luang Pradit, a regent, and the other by Seni Pramoj,
the Thai Minister in Washington.

2 Document 54.


[AA:A989, 44/895/2/2]
Last Updated: 11 September 2013
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