Laos: Toward Nirvana

After weeks of deliberate Russian stalling, word came last week that Nikita Khrushchev had finally agreed to a ceasefire. Laos’ peripatetic Prince Souvanna Phouma, after a daylong talk with Khrushchev himself, happily flew back toward Laos, proclaiming that the cease-fire would become effective as soon as he arrived.

If the Russians did not back away again, the decision would bring a sigh of relief in the U.S. For the Cuba fiasco had seriously damaged the U.S.’s bargaining position and its implied threat to get tough in Laos if its patience was tried too far. In a last-minute attempt to shore up the lackadaisical Royal Army, the U.S. arranged for the Laotian government to request a U.S. military mission, and briskly agreed to supply one. In reality, this simply meant that the 200-man group of U.S. soldiers in mufti would put on military uniforms and acquire the right to serve in the field with combat units instead of confining themselves to providing basic training. The Laotians scarcely noticed the change of uniforms, being busy celebrating the Laotian New Year with much ceremonial splashing of water and chanting of prayers.

For the Royal Laotian Army, a ceasefire could come none too soon. “They’ve been observing the cease-fire for some time now, anyway,” said one U.S. observer dourly. Though all Laotians are reluctant to fight, Royal Laotian soldiers seem even more reluctant than the Communist Pathet Lao. Stiffened by Communist regulars from North Viet Nam, Pathet Lao bands have spread over the land while the talking went on, until fully half of Laos is under their control. The Pathet Lao advance, said a Western diplomat, is not “a push, drive, Panzer or pincer movement-just a leisurely walk through the jungle.”

Souvanna Phouma, still recognized by the Communists as Premier and now tolerated by the U.S., is clearly returning to take over power. All factions, including the Pathet Lao’s Red Prince Souphanouvong, will peacefully assemble in Luangprabang, this week for the long delayed cremation of King Savang Vatthana’s father, who has been encased for 18 months in a sandalwood coffin. As the government-controlled Lao Presse hopefully put it: the cremated King, in his “final departure toward nirvana, might bring about the miracle for which the whole world waits.”