Scope and Content Note
The papers of Souvanna Phouma, Prince of Laos (1901-1984), span the years 1961-1970 and consist of ten volumes of diaries with inserted material such as letters, cables, memoranda, communiqués, clippings, and other printed matter.
The collection provides an important personal perspective of Laos by one of the country's primary historical figures. The diaries, written in French in Souvanna Phouma's own hand, provide a day-by-day look at Laotian internal and external affairs during a crucial period in Laotian history.
The diaries reflect Souvanna Phouma's role as nationalist and conciliator of the various political factions within Laos. The three main factions, the leftist Neo Lao Haksat led by Souvanna Phouma's half-brother Prince Souphanouvong, the rightist faction led by Prince Boun Oum, and the neutralists led by Souvanna Phouma are discussed and represented as correspondents.
The diaries also chronicle the Geneva agreement and the formation of the tripartite government in 1962, gradual polarization and descent into civil war, and the role played by the Soviets, Americans, and Vietnamese. They record various military developments including the roles of General Phoumi Nosavan, General Siho Lamphoutacoul, and Colonel Bounleut Saycocie in the Royal Lao Army coup attempts of 1964-1965 and the campaigns on the Plain of Jars led by Vang Pao and his Hmong soldiers against the North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao. Also of interest are letters by Generals Kong Le and Phoumi Nosavan while in exile.
The final years of the diaries document the increasing dependence of Laos on the West and the growing influence of the communist bloc and the Pathet Lao. Souphanouvong's communications reflect his increasing stridency and power and foreshadow the eventual toppling of the monarchy and creation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) with Souphanouvong as head of state.
Other significant events and personages described in the diaries are, Anatoliï Andreevich Gromyko, W. Averell Harriman, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Sisowath Sirik Matak, Chí Minh H̀ô (H̀ô Chí Minh), Richard M. Nixon, Norodom Sihanouk, Sisouk Na Champassak, and Savang Vatthana; Souvanna Phouma's trips to the United States, Soviet Union, France, Cambodia, and North Vietnam; activities of the International Control Commission for Laos; and the American campaign against the Ho Chi Minh Trail.