Word: laos
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...just that. Russia did not like but swallowed his decision, and the U.N. found practical as well as theoretical acceptance for its acting as arbiter in internal disputes that might threaten peace. It edged even closer last year when, again over Russian objections, Dag established the U.N. presence in Laos after revival of the Communist Pathet Lao rebellion...
...Laos one rainy day last week, Premier Tiao Somsanith, 47, assembled the top members of his Cabinet and flew north from Vientiane to the royal city of Luangprabang on a matter of some urgency: the burial of the late King Sisavan Vong, who has been preserved in formaldehyde since last October. By long tradition, a Laotian King must be buried in a coffin made from a sandalwood tree that had been growing for centuries for this predestined purpose. This tree had just been found, and Sisavang Vong could at last be laid to rest. But even as Somsanith...
...qualities Diem lacks. Though he holds no government position, Nhu works in a soundproof palace office, surrounded by books and stuffed animal heads. Diem takes Brother Nhu's advice on army promotions, government appointments and business contracts. One, of Nhu's pet projects is the Can Lao Nhan Vi (Revolutionary Labor Party), whose 70,000 "underground" members throughout the nation spend much of their time giving police information about their neighbors. There is persistent Saigon gossip about corruption in "high places," and, invariably, the names of Nhu and his wife are linked to all big business deals...
What reformers want from Diem is not so much more liberty as more flexibility and efficiency in his government. They would like to see 1) Nhu and his wife leave on an "extended vacation"; 2) the breakup of the underground Can Lao party, with its intricate business and police connections; 3) merit promotions in the armed forces-eight of the army's 17 generals are political appointees; 4) some delegation of authority by Diem, who must learn either to trust his ministers or to appoint ministers he can trust; 5) sanction for a democratic opposition...
Though the new Premier was the personal choice of Laos' military strongman, General Phoumi Nosavan, he owed his job primarily to Red Prince Souphanouvong, the mustachioed Pathet Lao leader who jumped jail near Vientiane a fortnight ago and rejoined his comrades in the jungle. Facing the probable flareup of guerrilla activity, Laos' heavy-lidded politicians decided that desperate situations require desperate measures, even electing the best...