Evening star., 1961-03-13
Peace in Laos
Said 10 Hinge
On U. 5. Role

| On u. ). Role
PHNOM PENN, Cambodia,
Mar. 13 (AP). - Ex-Premier
Souvanna Phouma Of Laos said
today that peace in his war
torn homeland depends on
whether the United States Gov
ernment will truly support real
neutralism In Laos.
Prince Souvanna, who agreed
last week with a representative
Of the Western-backed govern
ment Of Prince Boun Gum to
try to secure a truce between
the ro-Communist rebels and
the government forces, was
1critical Of United States policy
toward Laos in recent years.
He said the United States
had a chance to support neu-
tralism for several years in
Laos and again last year when
he was premier. Instead the
United States was cool to his
efforts to form a coalition of
the rebels and anti-Communist
forces.
President Kennedy in a mes
sage to Soviet Premier Khru-
shchev last week asked him to
cooperate in making Laos a
completely neutral nation with
military aid to the country
screened by a commission of
neutral nations. The President
told his news conference last
Wednesday his Government
was hopeful procedures could
be set up for neutral nations
to guarantee the security of
Laos and isolate it from mill
tary presSures on both sides"
Pathet Lao Silent
Prince Souvanna said he had
had no reaction from the pro-
Communist Pathet Lao guer-
rillas to the program of neu-
trality and peace negotiations
he and the strongman of the
Boun Gum government, Gen.
Phoumi Nosavan, agreed on
last week. It was considered
here the Pathet Lao silence
could have serious implications
in view Of the rebels recent
military successes in central
Laos.
In Vientiane, the Boun Gums
government gave q vote of
confidence today to Prince
Souvanna's efforts to bring
political and military peace to
Laos.
The government also named
a delegation Of three cabinet
ministers to fly to Phnom PENN
tomorrow for more talks with
the self-exiled, Communist
backed prince.
The cabinet resolution ap-
proved the joint communioue
issued last Friday by Prince
SouVanna and Gen. Phoumi.
The peace program outlined by
the communique included a
neutral policy for Laos and a
meeting in Phnom PENN of rep
resentativeS Of the Boun Oum
government, Prince Souvanna
and Of the pro-Communist
Pathet Lao guerrillas. This
conference is tentatively sched-
uled for next week. =
Report Made to King
After the cabinet meeting
Prince Boun Gum, Gen. Phou-
mi. and other military leaders
flew to Luang Prabang to re-
port the military and political
situation to King Savang Va
thana. ss ~
The military situation was
grim for the government fol-
lowing a series of defeats along
the strategic Luang Prabang-
Vientiane highway since March
q. Advancing pro-Communist
rebels have captured Sala Phou
koun. astride the east-west
highway leading through the
rebel-held PLANES des Jarres, |
and Muong Kassy, IS miles
south Of Sala Phou Koun.
Military sources said the sit
uation today was confused
with fighting occurring be-
tween Muong Kassy and Wang
Vieng. 60 miles north Of Vien-
tiane.
Among those making the trip
to Luang Prabang was Col.
Kouprasith Abhay, commander
OF the Vientiane region, who is
replacing Col. Oudon Sanani-
kone in command Of the crum-
bling Wang Vieng front. Col.
Kouprasith led a brief coup
against rebel Capt. Kong LIE
last December and is regarded
as a more capable field COM
mander than Col. Sananikone.
The rebel radio claimed to-
day that rebel forces had at
tackled a truck convoy north
OF Vientiane, killing or wound
ing 10 government soldiers.