Word: souvanna
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...charges; more important, they had the backing of the Communist-led Pathet Lao, whose soldiers lounged around the compound throughout the occupation. The Pathet Lao presence, in fact, became significant when, after several days of protest, a group of 200 Laotian USAID employees sent a delegation to neutralist Premier Souvanna Phouma to ask that the siege be called off. Though politely received by the Premier, the delegation was rudely dispersed soon afterward by pistolwaving Pathet Lao troops, who arrested and briefly held four people...
Angry protests lodged at the Laotian Foreign Ministry by U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Christian A. Chapman did no good. In fact, the Laotian Cabinet-still nominally under the leadership of the neutralist Premier Souvanna Phouma -legitimized the students' demands by insisting that the U.S. end all but formal diplomatic activity in Laos and that it turn over to the government all USAID material in the country. Left with no choice but compliance, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger announced that there will be a "substantial reduction" of U.S. personnel in Laos...
That the coalition has survived even this far is a testament to Souvanna. For three decades the debonair prince-with his well-known fondness for black cigars, tennis and poker-has patiently pursued his dream of "seeing a Laos that will be neutral and ready to do its bit for peace in the world." A member of a junior branch of Laos' ruling dynasty,* he attended elitist French schools in Hanoi and France, and for 19 years served in the public works service of the French colonial administration...
Emerging as one of the most important advocates of an independent Laos after World War II, the Prince stressed that his country must not only gain independence from France but also remain independent of the U.S. and North Viet Nam. Now 73, Souvanna realizes that Hanoi will almost certainly wield powerful influence in a Communist Laos, but he seems willing to accept this to see his nation united and at peace. In return, the Pathet Lao are expected to allow Souvanna to remain as Premier. Both he and the King are symbols of national unity. Both, however, will be little...
...Souvanna is the son of his father's first wife; his half brother Souphanouvong, head of the Pathet Lao, is the son of their father's eleventh wife...