UN General Assembly
1961

54. I shall now turn to the numberless difficulties our country has had to struggle with since its accession to independence. Situated as it is in a difficult geographical position, between countries with different and rival political systems, my country has had to endure some cruel tests during the past two years. It is a small and weak country, with no means of provoking, let alone threatening, its neighbours ten times stronger than itself. It is not a member of any military alliance and belongs to no bloc of countries. Its small defensive army, a symbol of its independence, could disturb no one. The people of Laos are profoundly Buddhist and eminently peaceful. All they want is to live in peace and good understanding with their neighbours.