1987 Vientiane bombing
| 1987 Vientiane Bombing | |
|---|---|
| Location | Vientiane, Laos |
| Date | 9 March, 1987 6 A.M. |
| Target | Soviet cultural center |
Attack type | Bombing |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Injured | 1 |
| Motive | Assassination of Eduard A. Shevardnadze |
The 1987 Vientiane Bombing was an attack that occurred on March 9th, 1987 at 6 A.M. at the Soviet cultural center in Vientiane, Laos. The attack is believed to have been an assassination attempt on Eduard A. Shevardnadze, who was supposed to arrive on a diplomatic meeting later that day.[1][2][3] Officials said a Laotian guard was killed and another wounded by the explosion, while the three-story building sustained only minor damages.[3]
Reactions
Soviet Union - Soon after the event, Soviet spokesman Gennady I. Gerasimov told a news briefing: “We only have quite preliminary information that there was an explosion in the center of the city. We have no information as to causes and results.” Shevardnadze visited the city despite the bomb.[3]
Laos - Phanethong Phommahaxay, acting head of the Laotian Foreign Ministry’s press department, charged that the Thailand government sent an armed exile to carry out the attack.[4]
References
- ^ "Shevardnadze may have been target of bombing". UPI. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ Reuters (1987-03-10). "Laos Blast Is Reported On Shevardnadze Trip". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c Archives, L. A. Times (1987-03-11). "Shevardnadze in Laos; Soviet Center Bombed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ "Official Hints at Thai Connection in Bombing at Soviet Center". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2023-01-20.