Word: neutralist
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
While Cambodia's new leadership moved to consolidate its hold, the military situation in Laos continued to disintegrate. That was not altogether startling; ever since the establishment of a neutralist tripartite government in Laos as a result of the Geneva accords of 1962, news from there had generally been gloomy. Under the accords, the country's three major parties-the Neo Lao Hak Xat (Communist), the Neutralists under Souvanna Phouma, and the right wing under General Phoumi Nosavan-were to work together in a single government. Souvanna held the balance of power as Premier, and Cabinet posts were...
This solution began to come unstuck almost as soon as it was pieced together. Souvanna's Neutralist army immediately split in two, half staying with the Premier and the balance joining the Pathet Lao. Pathet Lao ministers in Vientiane, rightfully fearing assassination, fled to the Plain of Jars in 1963 and formed a rump government. The right wing made a bid to seize full power in 1964. At that time, the U.S. dropped its backing of the rightists and swung its support to Souvanna. The idea of tripartite rule was dead...
...longtime (1904-1959) King Sisavang Vong, lacks Sihanouk's brash style Nonetheless, he performs with skill. A cultivated, retiring figure who looks and acts like a country gentleman, Souvanna has four times taken on the unenviable job of leading a government that is split between the Communist left, Neutralist middle and Royalist right...
...complicate matters still more, the Soviet Union notified Turkey that Greek officers in Cyprus were plotting a coup aimed at reuniting the island with Greece. Moscow fears that such a development would bring Cyprus - now neutralist - into NATO and give the organization an invaluable natural aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. Whatever the truth of the Soviet reports, Ankara reacted sharply, warning that Turkey would oppose any such threat with "all her might and resources." The Turks, who came close to invading Cyprus during the communal upheavals of 1967, seem to mean...
...crimp the Administration's already narrow room for maneuver in Laos-a fact that Hanoi and the Pathet Lao seem to appreciate thoroughly. In an intriguing and unexpected diplomatic move, Prince Souphanouvong, the Pathet Lao leader, last week offered his half brother Prince Souvanna Phouma, head of the neutralist government, a peace proposal. It suggested talks about a standstill cease-fire and a conference of all Lao factions aimed at restoring a new coalition government in Vientiane. There was, of course, one precondition: a U.S. withdrawal from Laos. Premier Souvanna Phouma said that he was "ready for a cease...