479. Editorial Note
During the early hours of the morning of December 8, troops under the command of Colonel Kouprasith Abhay seized control of Vientiane in a bloodless coup. Leaflets which were dropped on Vientiane in support of the military takeover proclaimed that the coup was in support of Souvanna Phouma, the King, and neutrality. At General Phoumi’s headquarters, the Kouprasith coup was described publicly as a seizure of power from Souvanna. (Joint Situation Report 120, December 8, [document number not declassified]; Eisenhower Library, White House Office Files, Staff Secretary Records, International Series, Laos Situation Reports; included in the microfiche supplement)
The Director of Intelligence and Research, Hugh S. Cumming, Jr., sent Secretary Herter an intelligence note, December 8, on the implications of the Kouprasith coup. The note, which Herter saw, concluded that Kouprasith had shown no abiding loyalty to anyone and probably acted so that he could have influence in the eventual disposition of power in Laos. Cumming’s note stated that while Kouprasith had voiced sympathy for Souvanna, criticized Phoumi, and expressed doubts about Kong Le, he would probably align himself with the winner in Laos when the outcome became clear. (Department of State, Central Files, 751J.00/12–860; included in the microfiche supplement)
At the 469th meeting of the National Security Council, December 8, Allen Dulles briefed the Council on the coup in Laos as part of his usual briefing, “Significant World Developments Affecting U.S. Security”:
“Mr. Dulles said that a typical Laotian coup d’etat had taken place in Vientiane, typical because it was well-advertised in advance. It was not clear at this moment which side was in control of the Government of Laos. Apparently Colonel Kouprasith was the leader of the coup. This officer had been in touch with Phoumi, but after the coup, he had scattered leaflets favoring Phouma. Secretary Herter said the information being received by the State Department was also confusing. General [Page 998] Lemnitzer asked whether information was not coming from Souvanna Phouma, in which case it might be slanted toward the Left. [2 lines of source text not declassified] Mr. Douglas asked whether the coup was an anti-Kong Le coup. Mr. Dulles said Kong Le had been seen in the office of the Prime Minister after the coup took place.” (Memorandum of discussion by Boggs, December 8; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
Secretary Herter sent President Eisenhower the following information on December 8, which, according to a note by John S. D. Eisenhower, the President read:
“I thought you would appreciate the following portion of an official announcement broadcast over the Lao Government radio today:
“‘You are requested to remain calm and to support Government and this coup. We adhere to following: “Do not bruise a lotus flowers; do not muddy clearwater; do not anger a frog; do not harm a small frog.”’” (Letter from Herter to the President, December 8; ibid., Dulles–Herter Series)
On December 9, John Eisenhower sent the President the following synopsis of State and intelligence material on Laos:
“The disappointing coup of yesterday in which Kouprasith took over the city for a while appears to have been reversed. Kouprasith, contrary to Phoumi’s expectations, immediately began issuing statements of support for Souvanna when the coup was executed. Now Kong Le apparently has taken over control once more and has arrested Kouprasith. On the favorable side, Phoumi forces are approaching Vientiane from the east. He has taken Paksane and has dropped an airborne company at Chinaimo. Many of the deputies from Vientiane have now reached Chinaimo and can pass over into Thailand for airlifting to Luang Prabang.
“There is a possibility that the King can assemble a quorum in the parliament at Luang Prabang and give Souvanna a vote of no confidence. On the military side, the Pathet Lao are expected to support Kong Le against Phoumi in a showdown.” (ibid., Eisenhower Diaries)