Lao Issara - The Split Within The Lao Issara

The Split Within The Lao Issara

Once the reconquest was complete, the French set about reconstituting their administration in Laos. In 27 August 1946, the French formally endorsed the unity of Laos as a constitutional monarchy within the French Union.

There were also French efforts made at conciliation with the nationalists. Discreet overtures toward the Lao Issara in Bangkok suggested the possibility of an amnesty. Gradually, a division of opinion appeared within the Lao Issara ranks over the practical issue of whether to cooperate with the French.

Souphanouvong had made clear his refusal to accept the new political set-up in Vientiane, and was ready to embrace an alliance with the Viet Minh against the French. This repelled most of his colleagues, who began to oppose Souphanouvong’s leadership in the Lao Issara.

Besides this, unhappiness towards Souphanouvong became obvious due to his refusal to be accountable to the Issara government for his military activities and financial expenditure. There were personal antagonisms between Souphanouvong and Katay. Both of them exchanged harsh criticisms on one another as each thought the other to be ineffective in their positions.

On October 24 1949, due to the lack of cooperation within the movement, the Lao Issara announced its formal dissolution. On October 22, 1953, the Franco–Lao Treaty of Amity and Association transferred remaining French powers — except control of military affairs — to the Royal Lao Government, which did not include any representatives from the disbanded Lao Issara.