Tarnished Eagle and Operation Popcorn

This Article was written by Four Inch Heels.



“OperationTarnished Eagle” is the code name for the investigation into the alleged plot to overthrow the government of Laos. To carry out the overthrow would be a violation of the Neutrality Act and involve acquiring many illegal armaments, including some to take out aircraft and tanks. Agents made a series of arrests.

The first arrests were made pursuant to federal arrest warrants on June 4: Harrison Jack, Vang Pao, Lo Cha Thao, Youa True Vang, Hue Vang, Chong Vang Thao, Seng Vue, , Chu Lo, and Lo Thao. Subsequently Nhia Kao Vang was arrested and charged, and an affidavit filed also included Salen Tong Va Lor, Jerry Smith Vang, Noa Pao Vang, Gary George and John Does I through V. Vang Pao’s wife and son are also under investigation.

Vang Pao, commonly known as General Vang Pao, was a General in the Royal Lao Army in the 1960’s and 1970’s who emigrated to the United States in 1975. Harrison Jack is a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and is a retired officer. Agents also executed search warrants at 14 locations simultaneously with the arrests.

Writing in the J[ournal] S[entennial] Online, Daniel Bice wrote of former Wisconsin State Senator Gary George:

[Alex] Flynn [George’s lawyer] said it was "impossible" that George could have committed any of these crimes. "Gary George is one of the most supervised people on the planet," he said.

George was sentenced in 2004 to four years in the federal pen for his role in a kickback scheme involving the Police Athletic League. He will serve only about three years because officials trimmed his sentence after he completed a substance-abuse treatment program last year.

Flynn told the AP’s Don Thompson and Garance Burke, “Gary George denies any allegations as defamatory and has as much interest in seeing the government of Laos overthrown as he does in the Klingons taking over the Starship Enterprise.”

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Twiss and Ellen V. Endrizzi, who are prosecuting the case, the criminal complaint alleges that the defendants conspired to acquire hundreds of AK-47 automatic rifles, Stinger missiles, AT-4 anti-tank missiles, LAW rockets, claymore mines, C-4 explosive, and smoke grenades, which they intended to use to engage in the violent overthrow of the government of Laos.

A document filed in federal court listed David “Dang” Vang as the author of the l8-page plan.

"Operation Popcorn" outlined exactly how Laos could be transformed into an American-style democracy with free elections, freedom of speech, a new constitution and judiciary, and a congress including the Hmong and other ethnic minorities.

The mercenaries, armed with AK-47s, grenade launchers, machine guns and anti-tank weapons, would oust the current regime -- assassinating those who resisted -- and take over all radio and TV stations, airports, highways and transportation systems.

Government-controlled hospitals, businesses, bank accounts and food, fuel and water supplies would be seized.

. . .

The blueprint offers a virtual primer on the complex international politics that provoked the coup plot:

• It says that factions inside Laos include "pro-Vietnam, pro-China and Pro-Western Free World. ... Lao troops have a negative attitude toward Vietnamese troops (in Laos)" estimated at 16,000 strong.

• It notes internal conflicts between regional and ethnic groups, the old guard and the new generation of student and government leaders, government officials and the business community.

• It says the opposition party in Laos -- the Lao People's Movement for Democracy -- includes "more than 1,284 combat-ready troops and more than 10,000 unarmed cadres, ready to fight to overthrow the Lao government." And "75 to 80 percent (of Laos' 6.5 million people) ready to rise up ... waiting for support from the exile Lao leaders and the international community."

• The coup leaders would appoint a new government, including a president, congress and judiciary, and hold free elections within two years.”

The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.