FOREIGN OFFICE FILES: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Series Two: Vietnam, 1959-1975
Part 2: Laos, 1959-1963
Political Organisations
Committee for the Defense of the National Interests anti-communist front formed in June 1958
Democratic Party (Praxathipatay) formed by Kou Voravong and Phoumi Nosavan
Independent Party (Phak Seli) formed by Phoui Sananikone
Lao Issara Free Laos Movement formed in 1945 to resist any attempt to return to French colonial status.
Lao Patriotic Front (LPF) (Neo Lao Hak Xat) Successor to Neo Lao Issara, the political arm of the Pathet Lao during the Indochina Wars (1946- 75). The Lao People's Liberation Army formerly known as the Pathet Lao is its military arm.
Lao People's Liberation Army (LPLA) Official title of Pathet Lao armed forces. The LPLA originated with the Latsavong detachment, formed in January 1949 by Kaysone Phomvihan, and steadily increased in number to an estimated 8,000 guerrillas in 1960 and an estimated 48,000 troops between 1962 and 1970.
Lao People Party (LPP) (Phak Pasason Lao) Founded secretly in 1955. Changed name to Lao People's Revolutionary Party (Phak Pasason Pativat Lao) in 1972; seized full power and became the ruling (communist) party of Laos in 1975.
National Lao Union (Lao Rouam Samphan) of Bong Souvannavong
National Progressive Party (Phak Xat Kao Na) formed by former Lao Issara ministers Xieng Mao, Souvanna Phouma, and Katay Don Sasorith
Neo Lao Issara Free Laos Front-organization established by former Lao Issara to continue anti-French resistance movement with the Viet Minh; succeeded by Neo Lao Hak Xat (Lao Patriotic Front-LPF) in 1956.
Neutralist Party (Lao Pen Kang) Nonaligned Movement formed by Souvanna Phouma in September 1961 with policy of promoting political and military cooperation apart from the traditional East and West blocs.
Pathet Lao (Lao Nation) Literally, land of the Lao. Until October 1965, the name for the Lao People's Liberation Army, the military arm of the Lao Patriotic Front.
Patriotic Neutralists Anti-US splinter group within teh Neutrlist Party, led by Deuane Sunnalath
Royal Lao Government (RLG) The ruling authority in Laos from 1947 until the communist seizure of power in December 1975 and the proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
<back
|