Asia 921
MID#1363
Started in December 1960. See the narrative in the 365 Russia/812 Laos dyad dispute
list.
MID#1353
Dispute Number: 1353
Date(s): January 6, 1962 to February 20, 1973
Participants: 365 Russia, 710 China, 816 Vietnam/2 United States of America, 200
United Kingdom, 800 Thailand, 812 Laos, 900 Australia, 920 New Zealand
Outcome (and Settlement): Compromise (Negotiated)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: This dispute began in early 1962 when Pathet Lao communist rebels, with
support from North Vietnam, laid siege to Nam Tha, near the Thai border. On Febru-
ary 13, Thai troops were deployed to the Lao border. On May 6, Pathet Lao forces
attacked Nam Tha while Royal Lao forces ceded territory without a fight. The United
States responded on May 12 by sending the Seventh Fleet to the Gulf of Siam and
placing troops on alert.
The 1,000 US marines already in Thailand for bilateral training were also moved
to the border. Civil war fighting continued throughout the decade, with occasional
transnational incidents affecting numerous neighbors and those countries fighting in
Vietnam. Thailand took a direct role by training Laotian pilots, and South Vietnam
trained Laotian officers. The United States and Soviets supplied the fighting forces
and guarded their interests in the region.
The overall fight was largely static until 1969, when Pathet Lao began to achieve
battlefield victories. Then, by 1972, Pathet Lao controlled two-thirds of the country.
Discussions between the Laotian government and the Pathet Lao began in 1970, and
formal negotiations took place in Vientiane from October 1972. These talks did not
advance, though, until the United States applied pressure to the Laotian government.
The United States wanted to enter the Paris Peace talks for Vietnam with the Laotian
war already concluded. On February 20, 1973, representatives from the Laotian gov-
ernment and Pathet Lao signed the Vientiane Agreement.
Coding changes: End Date changed from February 15, 1973.
816 VIETNAM/817 REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
MID#3360
Dispute Number: 3360
Date(s): November 1, 1960 to November 7, 1960
Participants: 816 Vietnam/817 Republic of Vietnam
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 101–250 deaths