LAOS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001300010024-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 8, 2000
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: October 19, 1960
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2000/06'/29 : CIA-RDP79R00890A001300010024-6
NSC BRIEFING 19 October 1960
LAOS
I. King Savang shows signs of trying his hand at resolving the crisis in
25X1A
A. General Ouane, the armed forces commander, has told
25X1A in Luang Prabang that the King will soon announce he is
taking over as supreme commander.
B. While the details of the plan are obscure, Savang apparently has
in mind setting up a transitional military government.
Ii. The first step in this plan apparently already taken. Ouane has re-
portedly tendered his resignation as defense secretary, a move
designed to impel Souvanna Phouma's resignation.
III. Plan also includes diversionary attacks by Phoumi's forces southeast
of Paksane against Kong Le's paratroopers.
A. It is hoped this will draw the bulk of Kong Le's forces from
Vientiane, thus making feasible an attempt by infantrymen loyal
to Ouane to take over control of Vientiane.
IV. Wh4t action Souvanna takes in response to this scheme is of pivotal
importance.
A. If he resigns, lines will be clearly drawn, with legality back on
the anti-Communists' side.
B. If as now seems likely he decides to stick it out, the legal situa-
tion might be sufficiently murky to give an air of justification to
any Sino-Soviet bloc support for Souvanna.
Approved For Release 2000/08/ RDP79R00890A(0JA
-0 OQ?,4 ,6 . 37?O
1
 semrr
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79R00890A001300010024-6
1. Ouane claims that Souvanna is already asking the Soviet ambassa-
dor to seek the return of the International Control Commission
to Laos.
C. It is conceivable Souvanna might refuse to recognize the validity
of any proclamation by the King on the ground that the King is
merely the captive of forces rebelling against the legal government.
V. It is possible that the King would not go through with his plan if
Souvanna does not resign.
A. King has always taken a very restricted view of the throne's role
in politics.
VI. Pathet Lao, in current negotiations for over-all settlement with
Souvanna regime, have demanded a coalition government and integration
of armed elements.
A. These probably represent maximum bargaining position, to be trimmed
if necessary as talks proceed.
B. Pathets have also just agreed to turn back Sam Neua province to
government, thus fulfilling precondition set by Souvanna for
serious substantive talks.
1. Unlikely, however, that government control of province will be
more than nominal.
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA -R P79R00890A001300010024-6