General Vang Pao
One of the key players of the CIA’s recruitment of
the Hmong was General Vang Pao, who was colonel
of the Royal Lao Army. Vang Pao was willing to defend his country against the
NVA and the Pathet Lao. He told the CIA that he and the Hmong will fight for Laos;
they just needed the weapons to defend Laos. Since Vang Pao held a great amount
of respect and power among the Hmong people, he was able to convince the Hmong
to join the war. One of the first things Vang Pao asked was if the United
States would not abandon the Hmong to the enemy. The United States assured Vang
Pao that they are committed to fighting the communist.
The Negotiation
The negotiation between the CIA and the Hmong was quick and simple. The CIA went among the Hmong and spread a message which stated: “The Vietnamese will soon come to take your land. We will give you the means to fight and defend your homes”. The Hmong was also encouraged by General Vang Pao to fight this war because if they did, the Hmong would finally be recognized by the Laotian people of Laos. The Hmong were also told that if they won this war, they would be on top of the world, but if they lost, the USA would take care of the Hmong. The Hmong immediately agreed to fight for the Americans even though many didn’t want to fight this war. In the war, the Hmong became guerilla fighters and rescue pilots.