With the U.S. and Russia warily sidling toward negotiations in Laos (see THE NATION), the man in the middle of the muddle was sleek and equivocal Prince Souvanna Phouma.
A man who has made a career of ambiguity, Prince Souvanna may just possibly be the perfect expression of Laos' national Geist. As Premier from 1956 to 1958, Souvanna tried to make a deal with the Pathet Lao, which happens to be headed by his half brother, Red Prince Souphanouvong. Souvanna's view is simple: no Laotian could possibly be a Communist, least of all his brother. When bouncy little Captain Kong Le and...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
