262. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State1
2420. 1. At 0830 hours this morning General Ma’s 5–28 pilots from Savannakhet launched bombing and staffing attacks against Phone Keng and Chinaimo in what appears to be last ditch effort by Ma to salvage his own position and force change in General Staff.
2. We received word an hour ago that Ma, assisted by Nouphet, had placed General Ouane (traveling in south) and General Bounphone under arrest in Savanakhet. Elements of FM’s [GMs ?] 18, 15, and 21 are said to be supporting Ma and Nouphet.
3. I have seen Leuam, who entirely ignorant of developments, and have asked him to contact Boun Oum, who is apparently in town.
4. T–28’s continue to fly over city as we draft this and machine-gun fire heard near Embassy. Bombs have hit barracks near AOC at Wattay as well as Chinaimo and Phone Kheng.
5. AIRA and ARMA have seen Kouprasith who totally surprised by developments.
6. Ma has sent me emotional message asking for support in overthrow of General Staff.
7. We are in for a busy morning.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Confidential; Flash. Repeated flash to Bangkok, and to Saigon, COMUSMACV, and DEPCHJUSMAG THAI. Passed to the White House, DOD, CIA, and NSA.↩