LAOS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001300030010-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 22, 2004
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: December 29, 1960
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Rel
NSC BRIEFING
State Department review
completed
29 December 1960
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I. The Communists remain determined to prevent any pro-Western
government from establishing effective control in Laos.
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C. Khrushchev in a private talk with the British ambassador on
26 December, provided what may be an indication that Moscow
regards current Bloc activities as a long-term operation.
1. He said the USSR would continue to aid anti-Phoumi forces
and that, while fighting on the present scale could go on
for as long as seven years, he felt no major war would
result.
2. Khrushchev's remark suggests the bloc does not contemplate
open intervention with identifiable military forces under
present circumstances.
D. In a 22 December note to the British, the USSR proposed re-
convening the International Control Commission for Laos and
another meeting of nations involved in the 1954 Geneva Agree-
ments--both of which the Boun Oum government would oppose.
1. This move timed to take advantage of growing international
fear of possible expansion of hostilities over Laos.
2. Bloc public statements continue to create an air of
tension about developments in Laos.
3. Communist China has endorsed Soviet and North Vietnam's
proposals to reconvene the ICC in Laos warning that "the
war in Laos is pregnant with danger of future expansion"
unless a solution is reached on Communist terms.
II. In Laos itself, three columns of government troops are moving
northward from Vientiane against Kong Le/Pathet Lao forces.
A. One column, moving up main road to Luang Prabang, has
captured Phong Hong, about 40 miles north of Vientiane.
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B. Other two columns moving west and east of main column are
trying to clear area of pockets of Pathet strength as they
move northward.
III. Bulk of Kong Le 's force has apparently withdrawn to yang Vieng
area, about 70 miles north of Vientiane.
B. Government sources claim morale among Kong Le troops--
particularly the several hundred irregulars--is poor; however,
Kong Le will still probably be able to count on hard-core
of troops from his Second Paratroop Battalion, numbering
about 200 men.
1. These elements could serve as cadres for an expanded
Kong Le/Pathet force which would pose potent guerrilla
threat to government.
IV. General Phoumi and his advisors appear to be dragging their
feet on question of legitimizing Boun Gum government through
a National Assembly vote.
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A. Assembly action would make it easier for neutrals such as
India to accept the new government, but Phoumi and company
clearly would like follow Marshal Sarit's example in
Thailand by rewriting constitution and revamping whole
government structure.
B. King Savang now in Vientiane to buttress new Bourn Qum regime
through ceremonial association with the crown.
C. Ever a stickler for constitutional form, Savang may add his
voice to those pressing for assembly vote.
V. Former Premier Souvanna Phouma, in Phnom Penh, is being assiduous-
ly cultivated by the Soviet ambassador.
A. This obvious effort offset Western pressures on Souvanna to
drop his pretension that he still legal head of government
in Laos.
B. Souvanna big prize for Soviets; if he could be induced to go
to Sam Neua to head up rival government to Bourn Oum regime,
he would give bloc support for Pathets and Kong Le aura
of legitimacy.
C. Extreme leftist Quinim Pholsena, who briefly in control ih
Vientiane during battle for capital, already an Sam Neua
claiming over Pathet radio to represent legal government of
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