1973–74 Laotian Civil War

pathet lao soldiers in vientiane, laos, 1973

the pulled out of laos in 1973, stipulated paris peace accord. north vietnam not required remove forces under terms of treaty.

the national government forced accept pathet lao government. during 1974 , 1975 balance of power in laos shifted steadily in favour of pathēt lao u.s. disengaged indochina. prime minister souvanna phouma tired , demoralised, , following heart attack in mid-1974 spent months recuperating in france, after announced retire politics following elections scheduled 1976.

hmong woman , child @ long tieng, laos military base in 1973.

the anti-communist forces leaderless, , divided , mired in corruption. souphanouvong, contrast, confident , master political tactician, , had behind him disciplined cadres of communist party , pathēt lao forces , north vietnamese army. end of american aid meant mass demobilization of of non-pathēt lao military forces in country. pathēt lao on other hand continued both funded , equipped north vietnam.

in may 1974 souphanouvong put forward 18-point plan national reconstruction , unanimously adopted – sign of increasing dominance. plan uncontroversial, renewed promises of free elections, democratic rights , respect religion, constructive economic policies. press censorship introduced in name of national unity , making more difficult non-communist forces organise politically in response creeping pathēt lao takeover. in january 1975 public meetings , demonstrations banned. recognising trend of events, influential business , political figures began move assets, , in cases themselves, thailand, france or u.s.