462. Editorial Note
Souvanna Phouma flew to Sam Neua on November 18 for 2 days of discussions with his half-brother Souphanouvong. During these talks Souphanouvong agreed to join a proposed coalition government of national union made up of all factions within Laos including the Pathet Lao and Phoumists with the only qualification being that Phoumi and Boun Oum not serve in the Cabinet. These two, however, could serve in the new government in other non-Cabinet positions. Souvanna wanted the King to call a conference in Luang Prabang to be attended by the leaders of all the Lao factions under a Royal guarantee of safe conduct. He asked Brown to provide an American aircraft to fly a letter to Luang Prabang to the chairman of the King’s Council suggesting such a conference. (Telegrams 964 and 968 from Vientiane, November 21; both Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/11–2160)