Word: souphanouvong
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
While the turnips and lettuce waxed luxuriant, the man the Communist sentries were assigned to protect was up to other matters. Bronze-skinned, mustachioed Prince Souphanouvong, leader of the Communist-controlled Pathet Lao forces which occupy the northeastern Laotian provinces of Samneua and Phongsaly, was determined to get representation in the Royal Government of Laos on his own terms. To this end he assiduously cultivated the idea that unity in Laos was a family affair. After all, his half brother is the Premier, Prince Souvanna Phouma...
...forces, Communist-supplied and equipped, have been waging haphazard war against royal government troops for more than two years. The Reds' idea of a settlement is to be incorporated into the royal government, and the princely Premier had shown signs of falling for it. The Reds kept pressing. Souphanouvong argued: "To be really neutral, Laos should accept economic aid from China as a counterweight to American aid." Royal Premier Souvanna Phouma, who had come back empty-handed from a trip to Peking last year, replied: "How could we accept what has not been offered to us?" He knew better...
This week, faced with a probable vote of no confidence from his 39 Deputies if he continued the talks with the Communists, Prince Souvanna Phouma broke them off. Prince Souphanouvong could only return to his thatch-hut capital in Samneua. leaving the villa and the turnip garden behind...
Pathet Lao is Prince Souphanouvong, a half-brother of the Premier, Prince Souvanna Phouma, and because both brothers have sworn fidelity to aging, gout-crippled King Sisavang Vong, the Laotians have been inclined to dismiss Pathet Lao as une affaire de famille. Since August the moonfaced, Paris-educated princes have been going about the capital of Vientiane arm in arm, sipping champagne together, and promising an early settlement of their "family affair." Says trusting Prince Souvanna Phouma: "My brother has never been a Communist, only a misled patriot...