772 Chapter 6
was intentionally problematic because Britain and the USSR recognized different
legal entities as heading the Laotian government and so could not send the request to
the same party without one giving implicit recognition to a Laotian government he
did not support. Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) Council of Represen-
tatives met at the request of the United States to discuss the situation beginning on
January 2. On January 3, the Laotian National Assembly gave a vote of confidence to
the new Revolutionary Committee government. The government then ordered Lao’s
permanent representative to the United Nations to lodge a Security Council complaint
against the Soviet Union for supplying arms.
On January 10 and 23, the Laotian government alleged that Soviet and North
Vietnamese troops were operating on Laos territory, but on January 26, a govern-
ment official admitted that those allegations were fabricated for internal propaganda.
However, on January 12, international observers saw a Soviet spotter plane directing
artillery fire for Lae’s forces. By mid-January Phouma and Pathet Lao forces had
gained ground and established holds in the north, center, and south of Laos, and by the
end of the month they established a challenger regime. On January 29, the government
demanded that the French turn over part of its base at Seno by February 1. The French
asked for more time to make a decision, but on February 5, government forces seized
it. On February 8, Phouma proposed negotiations, and on February 19, the Lao king
announced a new policy of neutrality. However, Phouma rejected the policy.
On February 20, Soviet Ambassador Menshikov met with Secretary of State Rusk
to discuss Laos. Military operations continued in March, and the International Control
Commission for Vietnam to Hanoi alleged continued Soviet involvement in the coun-
try. On March 9, Phouma and General Phoumi met in Phnom Penh; the next day they
released a joint communique that a coalition government was their most important
objective, that Phouma was the only official who could negotiate with Pathet Lao,
that he would do so to the best of his ability, and that foreign interference was coun-
terproductive. However, in mid-March the Pathet Lao rejected any compromise with
the government. On March 14 and 15, talks continued in Phnom Penh on creating a
coalition government that would include politicians from the right wing and Pathet
Lao, but they ended in a day without an agreement.
The SEATO meeting at the end of the month was dominated by discussion about
Laos. SEATO issued a joint communique. The British also sent a note to the Soviets
proposing a ceasefire, reconvention of the Control Commission, and an international
conference. US president Kennedy and British prime minister MacMillan held dis-
cussions in Key West and Washington. On March 27, Kennedy met Soviet foreign
minister Gromyko at the White House. By mid-April British intelligence found little
fighting going on from either side, but the United States believed that communist
forces had gained the upper hand. On April 20, Thai military personnel entered Laos.
The United States announced that the 300 American military personnel in country
would henceforth be considered military advisors. On April 24, the UK and USSR
called for a ceasefire and requested that India reconvene the International Control
Commission.