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the use of opium and its byproducts while retaining sufficient quanti- ties of opium to satisfy the illegal market as well?
There are other problems in Laos which inhibit enforcement of antinarcotics legislation. On June 6, 1972, a Deputy in the National Assembly, Moua Xu, was arrested with 912 kilos (approximately 21 lbs.) of heroin and 26 kilos (57 lbs.) of opium. Moua Xu is still free. As a member of the National Assembly he enjoyed immunity from trial and confinement until the Lao legislative body adjourned. He is still free to continue his activities.
According to several sources, other members of the National Assem- bly are suspected of being involved in the narcotics trade in Laos.
One such individual is Prince Sopsaisana, Vice President of the National Assembly. In April 1971 Sopsaisana, who was Laos' Ambas- sador designee to France arrived in Paris to assume those duties. Sopsaisana attempted to smuggle heroin into France inside a suitcase. As a result, the French Government refused to accept his credentials and Sopsaisana was recalled by the King. He was subsequently elected Vice President of the National Assembly. A critic of U.S. narcotics policy in Southeast Asia has charged that the U.S. Embassy in Laos "demonstrated a remarkable disinterest in the entire subject of Sopsaisana's recall."
The U.S. Ambassador in Laos, G. McMurtrie Godley, claims that the U.S. Government was very much interested in the Sopsaisana affair and that he had numerous meetings with the King of Laos, Lao Gov- ernment officials, and the French Ambassador in Vientiane on this mat- ter. Ambassador Godley indicated that the U.S. Ambassador in France discussed the affair with French authorities, including the then Prime Minister Jacques Chaban-Delmas.
According to reliable sources, Sopsaisana is rich, powerful, and in- fluential, and has police and military officials, rich businessmen, and politicians working with him. The rich businessmen, mostly ethnic Chinese whose families have lived in Laos for generations, pay govern- ment and military officials, including members of the National Assem- bly, to help them in their dealings whether it is arms, gold, or heroin. Moua Xu and Sopsaisana are members of the National Assembly. In addition, U.S. and Laotian officials advised the Survey Team that other members of that body were suspected of dealing in opiates although again there was no hard evidence. One such individual is General Oan Rathikoun, Commander of the Laos Armed Forces between August 19, 1959 and August 1, 1971.
THE ROLE OF GEN. OUAN RATHIKOUN
The law banning opium transactions in Laos became effective on November 15, 1971, and was the first such law in Laos. The situation that existed prior to that time was conducive to manipulation.
4 The Lao National Assembly adjourned on Nov. 11, 1972. As of Dec. 5, 1972 the Lao Government had not started prosecution.