From Geneva to Geneva: A discourse on geo-political dimension of conflict in Laos: 1954-1962

• Main Author: Mishra, Patit
• Other Authors: Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin
• Format: Book Section
• Language: English
• Published: College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia. 2010
• Subjects: JC Political theory
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/2526/1/Patit_Mishra_-_Geneva_to_Geneva.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/2526/; http://icis.uum.edu.my/

The internationalization of conflict in Laos between the two Geneva conferences of 1954 and 1962 forms an important aspect in the history of international relations. During the cold war period, the problem of Laos was exacerbated due to strategic location of Laos and national interest of external actors. The present paper would endeavour to analyze various ramifications of conflict in Laos. The landlocked country of Lao People's Democratic Republic has passed through vicissitudes of history facing problems like foreign invasion, external interference, and ideological conflict. Beginning from First Indochina War (1946-1954), fate of Laos was linked very closely with that of Vietnam. With the escalation of conflict, a solution to problem of Laos was nowhere in sight. The collapse of Dien Bien Phu on 7 May 1954 ended the French colonial rule. The Geneva Conference of 1954 did not solve the problem. The politics of Laos revolved round three major groups; Pathet Lao, neutralists and the rightists. Both the United States and North Vietnam came into conflict, as they were committed to help their respective allies in Laos, and regarded the other‟s action in Laos as harmful to their interest in South Vietnam. An agreement on Laos became contingent upon ending the war in Vietnam. The net result of outside intervention was prolongation of conflict in Laos. The gulf between the internal factions in Laos widened, and the freedom of choice was restricted for the belligerents in Laos. Problem of Laos remained unsolved and there was de facto partition of the country. The civil war soon became internationalized. Each side drew outside support, and the external support aggravated the conflict.