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Approved for Release: 2020/08/11 C02000173 SECRET # Situation in Laos Kong Le - Pathet Lao forces are beginning to exert pressure against the government's build-up area some 40 miles south of Xieng Khouang town, in what may be an attempt to disrupt General Phoumi's planned offensive against the Plaine des Jarres. According to one report, the government command post at Ban Ta Viang has been abandoned following an artillery-supported enemy attack. Aerial reconnaissance over Ban Ta Viang on 12 January tended to confirm reports of enemy artillery fire. Phoumi will not be able to retake the Plaine des Jarres the high morale of Kong Le's troops, the terrain advantages for the defense force, and the large number of arms retreating government forces abandoned on the Plaine des Jarres. The government commander at Luang Prabang plans to reinforce the garrison there following receipt of new reports that the Pathet Lao will soon attempt to capture the royal capital. Although a full-scale attack on Luang Prabang is probably not as imminent as these reports suggest, there continue to be indications of a Pathet Lao build-up for an attack. A Soviet IL-14 is reported to have airdropped supplies at Nam Bac, a post about 55 miles northeast of Luang Prabang which the Pathet Lao recently captured. An enemy force with artillery is reported to be north of Muong Sai, due west of Nam Bac, prepared to attack this recently reinforced government post when food supplies become available. Airlift operations into Laos by bloc transports continued through 13 January. Five Soviet LI-2 (C-47 type) transports have been scheduled for Peiping from Irkutsk, probably for use in the Laos airlift. They may replace some of the IL-14s which SECRET 14 Jan 61 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 2 Approved for Release: 2020/08/11 C02000173

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