RESCUE LAOS?

By: Ladsami Phonesavanh

Is Laos really needed to be rescued?

Political push from every corner created a big problem for Laos indeed. Vietnamese and Chinese influence in Laos creates a big political challenge and increase more division among Laotian leaders. Foreign investors started to pull out made Laotian businessmen lose their interest, trust, and hope. Local businesses begin to close shops one after another and the Bahts and Dollars are sent out abroad made local people mad and despair. A government security tightening opens a great opportunity for those who have power to grasp everything easily. Black market is everywhere at the dark corner where the hidden people commune. Several political factions secretly organized throughout the country for calling for a national democracy. Freedom fighters play a new role and tactical strategy for fighting against Vietnamese forces in Laos in the near future. In addition, the Laotian in exiles put a pressure on International Community for a free election in Laos. All these things made Laotian government goes crazy everyday. However, the victims are Laotian people in general. Laos goes poorer and poorer everyday.

The Laotian government, on the one hand, claimed that they would lead Laos into the brighter future. On the other hand, Laotian exiles, especially the old leaders, claimed even better. Laotian people nationwide and worldwide do not know who is the better one and who is the worse one, but what they know is that even the government or the exile ones are not that far apart as they have claimed. Ninety percent of those leaders in both the government and the exile are of the age of 65-80 years old. Each maintains its old idea and old system. So, who is the one that really wants to rescue Laos? And how?

In late November and early December 2000, delegates from the Royal Family Party and the Neo Hum met with Prince Khamsay Souphanouvong for planning to rescue Laos. Different party leaders then met secretly in Fresno, California during the Hmong New Year to accept and recognize Prince Khamsay Souphanouvong, the defector, as a top leader, the boss, for returning to rescue Laos. Representatives from those groups were sent to Thailand, Laos, and Europe to persuade all Laotians to support the plan and join hand to return to rescue Laos as soon as possible.

In contrast, eight delegates from the freedom fighters; five delegates from Vientiane, Louang Phrabang, and Pakse - from the group of Anachat Lao, Moung Lao Isara, and Lao Pasathipatai; and a few delegates from overseas - unknown group believe from California - met secretly in Thailand near Thai-Lao border in the beginning of December 2000. These groups plan to challenge the Communist government in a peaceful way to have a political and economic reform. The big boss is a young Laotian American, the source said. The second Headquarter located in Vientiane. Another special locations for contact are in Bokeo, Thaket, Savannakhet, and Pakse. Leaders behind the group of Anachat Lao, Moung Lao Isara, and Lao Pasathipatai are known as five ministers, 6 military generals - (3 retired yet 3 are active generals), and provincial governors. The groups plan to meet again during March - July 2001 - place not known.

Again for Khamsay Souphanouvong's group, the new joint parties, Prince Soulivong and Vang Pao will pay a respect to appeal to the King of Thailand and the King of Cambodia for political support maybe in May or June 2001.

For the government side, a senior official from the Prime Minister Office, who does not want to identify himself, said the next term General Khamtai Siphandone and General Sisavat Keobounphan will be retired, not to run for office. Their predecessors will be Mr. Saysomphone Phomvihanh and General Boun Nyanh Vorachit. The two seniors Generals believe that the next administration will change a lot. They promise to withdraw the Vietnamese troops from Laos entirely and then will call on all political parties and freedom fighters to join the government for a new national reconstruction and peace. All anti-Lao Nationalism will drop out - the two senior generals mentioned, the source revealed.

Now Laotian people wait and see who will be the best hero.