Crown Prince Sopsaisana's opium bust

The Laotian prince Sopsaisana was the head of the Asian Peoples Anti-Communist League, the chief political advisor of Vang Pao, Vice President of the Laotian National Assembly and military commander of the CIA controlled Laotian Hmong army.[1] In April 1971 Prince Sopsaisana, then Laos's new Ambassador to France, arrived in Paris. After a tip-off,[2] customs at Orly airport intercepted a valise containing 123 pounds of pure heroin,[3] then the largest drug seizure in French history with an estimated value of $13.5 million.[2] The Prince had planned to ship the drugs to New York. CIA stationed in Paris convinced the French to cover up the affair;[2] Prince Sopaisana returned to Vientiane two weeks later.

Here's the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_policy_in_Laos

When I was taking a few courses in college a couple years ago, the professors would not recognize Wikipedia as a viable source.

http://www.articlesbase.com/writing-articles/is-wikipedia-a-viable-source-for-college-papers-167278.html

I searched many data bases for hard facts on this event, but failed to find one credible reference. Yet, I do encourage anyone to find out it it is true or not. I personally would like to know.

...and when I was in college they said despite it not being a viable source, you could always check the references at the bottom ;) (I learned on my own that it was also an easy way to inflate your works cited page).

It's in paragraph 5 here:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,910390-5,00.html

Are the royal family still around or what?

I don't think they did much for Laos. Just living off the deeds or their ancestors. They were they real heroes!

Are they still welcome in Laos?
They still on the hit-list, or what?

I think many powerful people who in position of power is all professional crook. Big corporations CEOs, Politicians, Lawyers and monarchies. C.I.A "Crook In Action"

CIA can be your greatest friends or worse enemy. i bet the CIA got a good cut from the 13 million. cuz when that much money is in front of you YOU got to admit only a fool would resist.

There are another evident point to how Lao Loyal family is useless

Look at the 3 of the 7 page

http://www.scribd.com/doc/50124993/18/Survival-of-the-Fittest

Some members of the Lao royal family is living in france.

Sao Lili wrote on 5^th Apr, 2011 at 11:10am:

Some members of the Lao royal family is living in france.

Prince Souphanavong visited our training centre shortly before he died and sat for a photo with my wife, first son and I.  He is regarded as a hero of the independence revolution by many Lao people today.

http://www.laopride.com/pictures1/prince-souphanavong.jpg

Prince Souphanouvong (July 13, 1909 - January 9, 1995) was, along with his half-brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champasak, one of the “Three Princes” who represented respectively the communist (pro-Vietnam), neutralist, and royalist political factions in Laos. He was the figurehead President of Laos from December 1975 to August 1991.

wrote on 5^th Apr, 2011 at 9:59pm:

Sao Lili wrote on 5th Apr, 2011 at 11:10am: Some members of the Lao royal family is living in france. Prince Souphanavong visited our training centre shortly before he died and sat for a photo with my wife, first son and I.  He is regarded as a hero of the independence revolution by many Lao people today. http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5567336218_59c50781a3.jpg Prince Souphanouvong (July 13, 1909 - January 9, 1995) was, along with his half-brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champasak, one of the “Three Princes” who represented respectively the communist (pro-Vietnam), neutralist, and royalist political factions in Laos. He was the figurehead President of Laos from December 1975 to August 1991.

Isn't it true, that there was a bitter fued within the royal family? Probably the REAL reason for the war. Half consist of those whose names you just mentioned, among others; the other half are now in France or either died in captivity. ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS. People will go to drastic measures as terminating their own kin, just to rest on the thrown. I also read that they used to intermarry distant relatives. This is how they kept their royal bloodline pure. Here'ssomething else I heard: The prince - i forgot which - has a yearly salary of 2M Euros. So, he's still the KING OF LAOS in their eyes! :-?

Sao Lili wrote on 5^th Apr, 2011 at 11:10am:

Some members of the Lao royal family is living in france.

Yep, that's correct.  The prince now, I would guess be called the king came to my city 2-3 months ago.  

I am strongly reject any Loyal blood to lead Laos again,Loyal blood do not automatic get top job. They have to show they can lead and erected my the people!

OMD wrote on 6^th Apr, 2011 at 3:29am:

Sao Lili wrote on 5th Apr, 2011 at 11:10am: Some members of the Lao royal family is living in france. Yep, that's correct.  The prince now, I would guess be called the king came to my city 2-3 months ago.

I hope he did ask you for the donation,I certainly wouldn't give him any thing.... I will also tell him to get a real job!  

Tee wrote on 6^th Apr, 2011 at 4:51am:

I am strongly reject any Loyal blood to lead Laos again,Loyal blood do not automatic get top job. They have to show they can lead and erected my the people!

Laos should be lead by the people. Japan, UK for example has royal family and democracy at the same time.
:o

Tee wrote on 6^th Apr, 2011 at 4:55am:

OMD wrote on 6th Apr, 2011 at 3:29am: Sao Lili wrote on 5th Apr, 2011 at 11:10am: Some members of the Lao royal family is living in france. Yep, that's correct.  The prince now, I would guess be called the king came to my city 2-3 months ago.   I hope he did ask you for the donation,I certainly wouldn't give him any thing.... I will also tell him to get a real job!

My parents went, I didn't go.  Mostly the  elders, their family, and friends went.  I'm just like you, I don't want to have anything to do with Monarchs.  Their family dispute (sibling rival) is the reason the country is what it is today, controlled by Vietnam.  

Vietnam is too powerful. No matter what they'll control Laos one way or another. Divide and conquer. Ho Chi Minh has plan to take over Indochina all along and no one can stop him.
;) :o



OMD wrote on 6^th Apr, 2011 at 8:02am:

Tee wrote on 6th Apr, 2011 at 4:55am: OMD wrote on 6th Apr, 2011 at 3:29am: Sao Lili wrote on 5th Apr, 2011 at 11:10am: Some members of the Lao royal family is living in france. Yep, that's correct.  The prince now, I would guess be called the king came to my city 2-3 months ago.   I hope he did ask you for the donation,I certainly wouldn't give him any thing.... I will also tell him to get a real job!   My parents went, I didn't go.  Mostly the  elders, their family, and friends went.  I'm just like you, I don't want to have anything to do with Monarchs.  Their family dispute (sibling rival) is the reason the country is what it is today, controlled by Vietnam.

Hi Lao Democratic

It's nothing to be affair of Vietnam any more, China would be the one to watch. By the way, Are you a member of the Lao Loyal family? you always try to change the subject every time we criticise Loyal family.  

Tee wrote on 6^th Apr, 2011 at 4:51am:

I am strongly reject any Loyal blood to lead Laos again,Loyal blood do not automatic get top job. They have to show they can lead and erected my the people!

So are you saying that the Loyal family were not erected?

:D

When you mean the royal family were not elected.

;)

Hey Lao Democratic,

I know this is off topic.  Are you trying to beat the Admin in number of posts? I'm just curious.  Sooner or later you are going to be King of Posts. I'm teasing you. LOL

Anyhow, Tee is right Vietnam is less of a worry.  China is the one we have to be concerned about.

I can beat Admins on the posted. You guy keep busy while working.
:D ;D

I want to see peace, prosperity and democracy in Laos. I think Laos should have closer ties with China for ecnomic season. Laos been with Vietnam sense 1975 our motherland is still poor and underdeveloped.
:o ;)


OMD wrote on 6^th Apr, 2011 at 11:29pm:

Hey Lao Democratic, I know this is off topic.  Are you trying to beat the Admin in number of posts? I'm just curious.  Sooner or later you are going to be King of Posts. I'm teasing you. LOL Anyhow, Tee is right Vietnam is less of a worry.  China is the one we have to be concerned about.

I don't really care about politics. Just want to see Laos prosper like Japan or Singapore. I don't trust nobody. Not the Siamese, China or Annam. They all has their own agenda. If I has to pick between China and Vietnam. I pick China because they're all about business and making money. I don't think China is trying to takeover anybody country or territory.

I'm not a member of royal Lao family. Royal family are pro democracy. They want Laos free and prosper that's all. I don't think royal family should be in power, but I think Lao people should have a say, and be able to elected their own leader and government who represent their interest.
:o ;)


Tee wrote on 6^th Apr, 2011 at 11:01pm:

Hi Lao Democratic It's nothing to be affair of Vietnam any more, China would be the one to watch. By the way, Are you a member of the Lao Loyal family? you always try to change the subject every time we criticise Loyal family.

llX wrote on 7^th Apr, 2011 at 1:26am:

I want to see peace, prosperity and democracy in Laos.

Those three abstract nouns form 60% of the Lao national motto of:
"Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity"

for a few years after the revolution, the Lao national motto was:
"Peace, Independence, Socialism, Unity and Prosperity"

but over 20 years ago, they changed it to:
"Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity"

Note which comes first, which then follows, which is last, etc.  Interesting I thought.........and not placed there in random order I believe.  Peace is first.....Prosperity is the goal.  The others are steps towards that goal.

They now have three (Peace, Independence and Unity) firmly locked down.

Democracy: they made a lot of progress, but it depends how you define the term. They have secret ballots, one person one vote elections at village, province and national levels. This month, the elections for the National Assembly (Parliament) will be held. Those individuals elected then vote for the President, Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers. Everyone over the age of 18 is eligible to vote and stand for election, including non-Party members.

The 5th. - Prosperity: Also a lot of progress with seven to eight percent economic growth for the past dozen years. Medium term goal is to be dropped from the list of 'least developed nations' by 2020.

They seem to be taking this goal extremely seriously.

Thank for your input Old Man. You live in Laos for 20 year I respected your point of view. I like their motto "Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity". Now Laos just need muti-politicals party system like Cambodia for a started. Its a good thing that Laos is moving toward socialist with Capitalist economy like China.

Ain't Laos and Cambodia still control by Vietnam? Politically and policy. I don't see the point of voting when there only one politicals party.
:o :)

I found it interesting that Laos is near the bottom of the list as far as oil consumption is concerned. Might be a good place to weather out the problems following peak oil in the next 30 years or so :D.

llX wrote on 7^th Apr, 2011 at 4:05am:

Now Laos just need muti-politicals party system like Cambodia for a started. Its a good thing that Laos is moving toward socialist with Capitalist economy like China. Ain't Laos and Cambodia still control by Vietnam? Politically and policy. I don't see the point of voting when there only one politicals party. :o :)

Don't make the mistake of thinking that for a country to be a democracy, it must have a two or multi-party system.  There are many forms of democracy that have only one, or no party.

I imagine you have heard of George Washington - one of America's founding fathers and the first President of the U.S.A.  He was strongly opposed to the formation of political parties believing that members would act in the interests of their own party before the interests of the country.

Looking at the current budget dispute between the Republican and Democratic parties in the U.S., it turns out Washington was right.

An alternative to multi-party democracy is to elect representatives as individuals - which is pretty much the case in Laos.

I do agree with Oldman! Lao always live in someone else shadow most of us like to take order and don't like to make decision. if we live under democratic system, we would know what to do. Most of our vote could end up for the higher binder. That could be a very scary though, how our country could end up!  

There's check and balance of power in the U.S. We has Republican Party a pro-business, big corporation, and Democrats a pro working class. There's also small political party, Independent Party, Green Party, Tea Party.

We elected president every 4 year, 100 senators, two from each states every 6 year and 435  Representatives every 2 year. Every law and policy has to go through the senators and house of representatives for president to sign the bills into law. If any politicians, government officials is corrupt and not doing there jobs we can votes them out of offices.
:) :o 8-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYhrcLm20VI&feature=related[/mediahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu9VvSnl4MQ&feature=related]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu9VvSnl4MQ&feature=related

U.S politicians has freedom of speech to criticizes government for wrong doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu9VvSnl4MQ&feature=related

Laos is still underdeveloped and rank one of the poorest country in the world by UN. Something is not working and Laos political system is not working.

"Most poverty resulted from bad governance."

"Human being is enterpreneurial and creative. But the only thing that make them poor is the policy and system they live by and enviroment they live in."
:) :)




wrote on 7^th Apr, 2011 at 8:19pm:

llX wrote on 7th Apr, 2011 at 4:05am: Now Laos just need muti-politicals party system like Cambodia for a started. Its a good thing that Laos is moving toward socialist with Capitalist economy like China. Ain't Laos and Cambodia still control by Vietnam? Politically and policy. I don't see the point of voting when there only one politicals party. :o :) Don't make the mistake of thinking that for a country to be a democracy, it must have a two or multi-party system.  There are many forms of democracy that have only one, or no party. I imagine you have heard of George Washington - one of America's founding fathers and the first President of the U.S.A.  He was strongly opposed to the formation of political parties believing that members would act in the interests of their own party before the interests of the country. Looking at the current budget dispute between the Republican and Democratic parties in the U.S., it turns out Washington was right. An alternative to multi-party democracy is to elect representatives as individuals - which is pretty much the case in Laos.

llX wrote on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 7:07pm:

U.S politicians has freedom of speech to criticizes government for wrong doing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu9VvSnl4MQ&feature=related

Apparently, you have not watch a documentary call "Inside Job" this is the link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1645089/

How corrupt is American and the world of corporate, how they manipulate the system of so call "democratic" and "freedom of speed"   I strongly recommend you to watch this documentry
and you can judgement how fair is the system!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's corruption everywhere. U.S democracy is not perfect, but it's the  best politicals system there is. U.S is more like Socialist Capitalist in my opinion because they favorite big corporation and business. But they also take good care of the working class and poor. And modernized the country.

Laos had been under communist since 1975. Our country is still underdeveloped, most of Lao citizens live in poverty, has less jobs opportunity, 75% live on less then $2 a day and 20% suffer from hunger. Many young Lao has to look for jobs in Thailand. That mean Laos politicals system is not working. It's a fails system in my book.

In American government only get 4 year in offices. Not 35 year like Laos. You'll be out of offices in the next election if you're not doing your jobs.
8-) :)

I am really opposed to Big Government, but that is my opinion. What I wish would happen here in the USA is term limits. What I mean is once a senator, governor, representative, etc. is elected he serves for 4 years max. No re-election to that office. He would have to sit out for 4 years then try again. If he wanted to make changes he would have to do it in that time. Also, I don't like special interest groups and lobbys giving money to law-makers. It is akin to bribes. I know none of this will ever happen, so I guess I am wasting my time typing it. 55555

"You're Republican William." Agreed special interest group and lobbyist is part of the problem. Small government I don't know about that. Democrats or Republican in power it seem like government still keep getting bigger and bigger.

How the jobs market in Ohio?
 :o ::)

llX wrote on 9^th Apr, 2011 at 7:30am:

"You're Republican William." Agreed special interest group and lobbyist is part of the problem. Small government I don't know about that. Democrats or Republican in power it seem like government still keep getting bigger and bigger. How the jobs market in Ohio?  :o ::)

Actually I am an Independent. My dad was a strait-ticket Republican, I on the other hand vote by the issue, and how the person stands (or at least lies about how they stand) on an issue.

The job market in Ohio is rather bleak. I like the idea of retiring some day and starting a business in Vientiane with my wife.

llX wrote on 9^th Apr, 2011 at 12:49am:

There's corruption everywhere. U.S democracy is not perfect, but it's the  best politicals system there is. U.S is more like Socialist Capitalist in my opinion because they favorite big corporation and business. But they also take good care of the working class and poor. And modernized the country. Laos had been under communist since 1975. Our country is still underdeveloped, most of Lao citizens live in poverty, has less jobs opportunity, 75% live on less then $2 a day and 20% suffer from hunger. Many young Lao has to look for jobs in Thailand. That mean Laos politicals system is not working. It's a fails system in my book. In American government only get 4 year in offices. Not 35 year like Laos. You'll be out of offices in the next election if you're not doing your jobs. 8-) :)

After watching this documentary, Suddenly, The socialist is look more attractive and faired right! American use to be on the top....and now is fall to all time low.....unemployment is at all time high...more and more people are poorest, crime rate is also high...and the current government promised to change the law, but either power less or have no idea how to do that.Mean while,more and more people are pull the money out of the share market.. to North Asia,Indian and Australia... I think wont be long, China could be the most power nation in the world in not so long distance.....      

Tee wrote on 9^th Apr, 2011 at 8:43am:

llX wrote on 9th Apr, 2011 at 12:49am: There's corruption everywhere. U.S democracy is not perfect, but it's the  best politicals system there is. U.S is more like Socialist Capitalist in my opinion because they favorite big corporation and business. But they also take good care of the working class and poor. And modernized the country. Laos had been under communist since 1975. Our country is still underdeveloped, most of Lao citizens live in poverty, has less jobs opportunity, 75% live on less then $2 a day and 20% suffer from hunger. Many young Lao has to look for jobs in Thailand. That mean Laos politicals system is not working. It's a fails system in my book. In American government only get 4 year in offices. Not 35 year like Laos. You'll be out of offices in the next election if you're not doing your jobs. 8-) :) After watching this documentary, Suddenly, The socialist is look more attractive and faired right! American use to be on the top....and now is fall to all time low.....unemployment is at all time high...more and more people are poorest, crime rate is also high...and the current government promised to change the law, but either power less or have no idea how to do that.Mean while,more and more people are pull the money out of the share market.. to North Asia,Indian and Australia... I think wont be long, China could be the most power nation in the world in not so long distance.....

The fall of America is very close. I agree with you about China, maybe in 20 years or less.

Tee wrote on 9^th Apr, 2011 at 8:43am:

llX wrote on 9th Apr, 2011 at 12:49am: There's corruption everywhere. U.S democracy is not perfect, but it's the  best politicals system there is. U.S is more like Socialist Capitalist in my opinion because they favorite big corporation and business. But they also take good care of the working class and poor. And modernized the country. Laos had been under communist since 1975. Our country is still underdeveloped, most of Lao citizens live in poverty, has less jobs opportunity, 75% live on less then $2 a day and 20% suffer from hunger. Many young Lao has to look for jobs in Thailand. That mean Laos politicals system is not working. It's a fails system in my book. In American government only get 4 year in offices. Not 35 year like Laos. You'll be out of offices in the next election if you're not doing your jobs. 8-) :) After watching this documentary, Suddenly, The socialist is look more attractive and faired right! American use to be on the top....and now is fall to all time low.....unemployment is at all time high...more and more people are poorest, crime rate is also high...and the current government promised to change the law, but either power less or have no idea how to do that.Mean while,more and more people are pull the money out of the share market.. to North Asia,Indian and Australia... I think wont be long, China could be the most power nation in the world in not so long distance.....

The value of a dollar is deteriorating as we speak.  Once that value drops to non-existence, there is a possibility that there might be WW3 and it's already in the make.  Every nation in the world sees America as a threat regardless if they are broke or not.  As for China, we don't have to wait, they already are  an economic powerhouse.  As far as technology they are still lacking even though the media says otherwise.  That is the one thing they don't have over the U.S.  Guess what if push comes to shove US military will use that technology to their advantage.  Look at how many bases they have around the world compare to other nations.  I think that is the reason they are involving themselves in the war.  Just think when Russia attacked Georgia.  They stepped in to help Georgia out only when they agree to have the military base there, which they currently do.  I'm just saying there are a lot of things going on in the world we don't know about but have to constantly do a research.  I can't trust the media and their words, it's meaningless.