International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos is an international agreement signed in Geneva on July 23, 1962 between 14 states, including Laos, as a result of the International Conference on the Settlement of the Laotian Question, which lasted from May 16, 1961 to July 23, 1962.

Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed the declaration. It and the statement of neutrality by the Royal Government of Laos of July 9, 1962 came into force as an international agreement on July 23, the date of signature.[1]

Background

After a brief occupation of Laos by the

Geneva Accords of 1954 established Laos sovereignty. In 1960, civil war broke out between the Royal Lao Army, supported by the United States, against the Pathet Lao
insurgents, supported by the communists in North Vietnam (DPVN) and.

Agreements

John F. Kennedy proposed a negotiated settlement with the Soviet Union and other interested parties. In 1962, a peace conference in Geneva produced a Declaration on the Neutrality of Laos and a three-part coalition government of pro-American, pro-communist, and neutralist factions.[2]

The 14 signatories pledged to respect Laotian neutrality and to refrain from direct or indirect interference in the internal affairs of Laos, drawing Laos into military alliances, or establishing military bases in Laotian territory. The Laotian government pledged to promulgate constitutionally its commitments, which would have the force of law.[3]

Aftermath

However, the agreement was contravened almost immediately by the United States, the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, North Vietnam, and the Pathet Lao themselves. North Vietnam continued to garrison 7000 soldiers in Laos. The Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China provided military support to the Pathet Lao. The United States started a bombing campaign that supported both the Royal Laotian Government and American efforts in South Vietnam. The Pathet Lao continued to attack and to harass the neutralist forces.[4]

The violations exemplified the conduct of all of the parties for the remainder of the Second Indochina War.

In 1959,

Ho Chi Minh Trail
.

More specifically, during the Second Indochina War, the North Vietnamese obtained the co-operation of the Pathet Lao to construct and maintain the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which passed throughout the length of Laos. Thousands of Vietnamese troops were stationed in Laos to maintain the road network and to provide for its security. Vietnamese military personnel also fought beside the Pathet Lao in its struggle to overthrow the neutralist government of Laos. The co-operation persisted after the war and the communist victory in Laos.

References

  1. S2CID 144635134
    .
  2. ^ "In 1961, the deteriorating political situation in Laos posed a serious concern in US foreign policy when President John F. Kennedy took office". www.jfklibrary.org. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  3. ^ Gharekhan, Chinmaya R; Ansari, Amid (24 December 2003). "Another approach to Afghanistan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  4. ^ Benson, Fred (March 2018). "The Unraveling of the Geneva Accords". ResearchGate.
  5. ^ Geer, Jeff (30 March 2005). "Neutrality not the answer". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2017.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Agreement_on_the_Neutrality_of_Laos&oldid=1213120049"