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Already the seeds of Communism had been sown in Laos, and they would doubtless sprout and grow during any drawn-out peace conference. But in the long perspective of the battle for Southeast Asia, the Laotian showdown could sow important seeds of its own. The President had faced up to the crisis with great coolness and style. He was newly familiar with the face of the enemy on the battle line, and newly familiar with the weapons at his command. In leading an attack on free Asia, Nikita Khrushchev also contributed to the seasoning of the West's cold-war commander in chief.