347. Editorial Note
In the aftermath of the National Assembly elections of December 25, 1955, Prime Minister Katay attempted to form a new government primarily from his own supporters, but it soon became apparent that he could not muster the two-thirds majority of National Assembly representatives required by the Lao constitution to take control. Katay then sought support from Souvanna Phouma and Phoui Sananikone and their followers. Even with the backing of this enlarged group, Katay failed to obtain the two-thirds majority. On February 23, 1956, Crown Prince Savang turned to Souvanna Phouma who, without the support of Katay and his followers, was equally unsuccessful. Katay and Souvanna then joined forces in a coalition, which was in turn opposed by another coalition, the newly formed “Lao Union for Public Welfare.” The “Lao Union”, led by Phoui Sananikone, Bong Souvannavong, and dissident Progressive Party member Quinin Pholsena, controlled 15 or more deputies and was thus able to block formation of a new government. After unsuccessfully offering members of the “Lao Union” cabinet posts and other concessions to win their support, Katay abandoned his efforts on March 14. Savang again turned to Souvanna. By sharing power with Katay and his followers and winning support from Independent, [Page 747] Democratic, and nonaffiliated deputies, Souvanna was finally able to secure the necessary two-thirds of the National Assembly on March 21. The important members of this new government were as follows: Souvanna, Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Information; Katay, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State; Nhouy Abhay, Minister of Interior and Social Welfare; and Leaum Insisiengmay, Minister of Finance, Economy, and The Plan. Reports from the Embassy in Vientiane on the political crisis are in Department of State, Central File 751J.00. Analysis and an extensive narrative of the political crisis are in despatch 133 from Vientiane, March 30, not printed. (Ibid., 751J.00/3–3056)