Evening star., 1961-03-31


partment from Andrews Field
and telephone q report to the
President.
Stress SEATO Fears
In q brief statement at the
airport Mr.. Rusk emphasized
SEATO fears about Commu-
mist threats to take over South
Wet Nam, as well as Laos.
The SEATO council Of min
listers meeting provided a DEM
onstration of the solidarity
and the determination Of its
members" Mr.. RuSk said
Should efforts fail for an end
to the fighting and for peace
full negotiations on a neutral
independent Laos, SEATC
members ARE prepared to take
appropriate action" he de-
clared, using the language Of
the final SEATO communique
"The Ministers also expressed
their resolve not to acquiesce ir
the attempted take-over oi
South Wet Man," Mr.. Rusk
said.
"All Of us meeting in Bang.
kok were deeply concerned with
the seriousness Of the threat
to Laos and South Wet Nam
Some Of our friends in SEATC
are very close to these dan
gers. But even those Of US fal
from that area recognize the
threat to our own security and
well being. The resolve Of the
SEATO members Is an iInpor-
tant element in the Inainte-
nance Of the peace in that part
Of the world and in the preser.
vation Of the independence oi
the peoples Of that area"
Mr.. Rusk said optimism
was not quite the word" fol
his attitude toward Laos. Wher
a proposal is made the hopt
is 1t can be accepted. he said
The United States will simply
have to follow Developments
step by STEP" he said.
The Laotian government re-
ported q new outbreak Of fight
ing yesterday but said the sit
uation was not grave enough
to warrant asking SEATO in
tervention, according to the
Associated Press.
Neutrality Stressed
There is speculation thai
New Delhi or Rangoon, the cap
ital Of neutral Burma, would
be the site for the 14-natior
conference If big power agree.
rnent is reached on a cease
fire.
Mr.. Rusk said during q stop.
over in Prestwick, Scotland, to.
day that the SEATO allies want
to see q broad.based, truly neu-
tral government established ir
Laos and he has "no doubt thai
Prince Souvanna Phourna viii
play an important role"
Mr.. RuSk repeated his state.
rnent In New Delhi yesterday
that the United States and It'd
allies hope prospective peace
negotiations will produce "ar
Austrian-type neutral Laos and
that this can be established BY
international agreement"
1T is not easy for a grour
Of outside countries to decide
who ought to be in the govern.
nnent," he said. I'VE ourselves
have no special candidates ir
this matter. We recognize and
support the present govern.
menC OF Laos.
Prince Souvanna Phouma Il
a neutralist who says a coali'
ton Of all factions in Laos in.
'clu ding the proc Communist
Pathet Lao rebels is. the onl,
government that can bring
peace to his country. He wal
supplanted as premier in De-
cenber when troops supporting
the present Western-recognizeC
Premier, Prince Boun Gum
captured Vientiane. However
the Communist bloc contends
Souvanna is still the Legal
premier.
The Soviet Union had beer
expected to make its position
known by yesterday to British
overtures for a political settle
nlent in Laos. The reply dit
not come.
The delay was attributed b.
sources here to the need Of So
Wet Premier Khrushchev 70
consultations with Comrnunis
China and North Wet Nam be
fore making . formal reply b
Britain. A British note las
week end called for a cease fire
reactivation of the three -natioI
International Control Commits
sion composed Of India, Pc
land and Canada. followed b