Evening star., 1961-07-03
Officials Here
Hold Phourna
May Not Win
By EARL H. VOSS
Star Staff Writer

Star Staff Writer
American officials were not
ready to concede today that
Prince Souvanna Phouna, So
viet-backed neutralist leader,
will be chosen to head a Goa
lition government to unite
warning factions in Laos.
Cambodian Prince Norodom
Sihanouk yesterday predicted
the decline in influence of the
present Prime Minister, United
States backed Prince Boun
Gum, who had been appointed
by the King.
At the same time, the Cam
bodian leader predicted the
victory Of Prince Souvanns
Phouma and Prince Soupha-
nouvong. leader of the third
Laotian faction, the pro-Com-
munist Pathet Lao.
Discussions on formation ot
a new government have not
yet begun, according to infor.
nation here.
CapitulatiOn Claimed
The Cambodian Prince. who
had arranged a meeting of the
three rival Laotian Princes ir
Zurich last month, told news
men in Geneva the confer
ence had resulted in the "ca-
pitulation" of Prince Bour
Oum.
The United States is not
committed to any one indi-
vidual to form the coalition
government now deemed nec-
esSary to restore Laos to a truly
independent and neutral status
American officials believe
the Zurich meeting brought
agreement only that King Sa-
wang Vathana should appoint
the next government. The COM
position Of the government was
hardly touched upon in the
Zurich conference, according
to Washington illformants.
Discussions of the Laos gov
ernment composition are to be-
gin in Southeast Asia, either
in Laos or Cambodia, soon. The
King is not bound to confine
his consultations on appoint
ment of a new cabinet to the
three rival Princes.
Fourth Party Possibility
There has been some talk
that the King might turn to
a fourth party, or take on the
premiership himself.
He is in a difficult spot, be-
cause any of the three factions
or all three might refuse to
serve. The Kings throne would
then be in jeopardy.
The appearance n Washing
ton last week of Gen. Phoumi
NoSavan, strong man behind
Prince Boum Gum, tended to
conrm the Cambodian Princes
report Of the decline of Prince
Boum Gum.
The generals two days of
talks here with the highest
Kennedy, indicated continuing
United States backing for the
Boun Oum-Phoumi group in
Laos.
Hartman in Paris
United States Ambassador
w. Averell Hartman was re-
ported comforting with Prince
Souvanna PhoumR in Paris to-
day. There has been a dis
tinct GOODNESS in the past be-
tween Prince Souvanna Phou-
ma and the United States.
Many American officials say
privately the Prince cannot be
counted upon to maintain a
truly neutral Laos but favors
Communist elements.
The Cambodian chief of state
"a Self-styled mediator in the
Laos crisiS-told newSmen, how
ever, he had received assurances
of United States support for
Prince Souvanna Phouma pro
vided he remains neutral" the
Associated Press reported.
THE Americans wanted me
to tell that to Souvanna
Phouma," Prince Sihanouk
said during a lavish garden
party in his Geneva residence.
II told them No, you have to
do it alone"
Mr.. Hartman arrived in
Paris yesterday for what is
considered the decisive round of
talks on the explosive Laos
stalemate.
On the outcome of his Paris
meeting with Prince Souvanna,
the strongest force among
Laos warning factions, de-
pends largely the fate of the
international conference on
Laos.
Prince Souvanna does not
hide his intention of heading a
government of national union"
which the three Laotian princes
say they hope to form some
time this month.