Vietnam Rebels Divided

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30426, 28 April 1964, Page 13

Vietnam Rebels Divided

(N.Z. Press Association-Copyright) LONDON, April 27. A rift seems to be appearing in the leadership of the rebellious right-wing “revolutionary committee” in Laos, British United Press reports from Vientiane.

The security chief, General Siho Lamphoutakul, is playing more and more of a lone role, the agency says.

It is understood that Siho issued the tough communique on Friday night insisting the revolutionary committee should remain in control of the ment until the Prime Minister, Prince Souvanna Phouma, reshuffles his Cabinet. The committee’s other generals, it is said, had . not planned such a rigid stand. They only agreed to issue an order that their forces would maintain law and order until a compromise government was formed. GENERALS GONE Siho’s coup d’etat partner and titular president of the revolutionary committee, General Kouprasith Abhay, has not played an active part within the committee for more than two days. He has been devoting himself mainly to the last rites for His father, a former Prime Minister, Khou Abhay,

who was cremated on Saturday night. Other powerful generals have already left' Vientiane for their respective regional commands, leaving Siho controlling the city with. his black-bereted security guards. NEWS CENSORSHIP It was Siho’s troops on Sunday morning who were guarding Prince Souvanna Phouma’s residence. The guards refused to permit correspondents to pass through the gates. His security officers are in charge of censoring all letters and cables.