Evening star., 1962-05-28
Reds PUSHING
On Houei Sal
Near ThaiIand
Luotiun Premier
OFF to Philippines
Despite Attack

NAGN LANE, May 20 NAEJ.-
Pro-Western Prince Boun Gum
Of Laos left today on a three
day goodwill visit to the Phillip
pines despite a major new rebel
army thrust Threatening gov
ernment-held Houei Sal near
the Thailand border.
The dominant member of
Premier Boun Gums cabinet,
Gen. Phoumi Nosavan, accom-
panied the prince. He dismissed
the new rebel attack as of little
Importance.
The government leader left
Laos in spite of a June IS
deadline set by neutralist Prince
Souvanna Phouma for agree
ment on a coalition govern
ment in Laos.
The United States and the
Soviet Union back Prince Sou
vanna's bid 20 form a govern
ment including Communists,
neutralists and Boun Gums
rightists. Previous attempts at
forming a coalition have re-
peatedly deadlocked.
Rebels Continue Push
American military sources
said today several companies
of rebel soldiers. believed to
include North Wet Namese
troops. are continuing their
push against Houei Sal. How
ever, there was no late news
from the fighting area.
The sources said a govern
ment defensive outpost about
10 miles from the border town
was overrun yesterday after
noon when the rebel drive be-
gan, breaking the lull in fight
ing that prevailed since gov
ernment troops were routed
from northwest Laos.
Houei Sal was abandoned by
government forces May IL in
the face Of a rebel drive. How
ever, the town was not occupied
by the pro- Communist and
Neutralist forces. Government
troops reoccupied the town.
There was speculation that
the Red attack was a counter
to q government patrol that
probed so miles north of Houei
Sal, deep into Red-controlled
territory, last Friday and clash
ed with a rebel unit. Several
rebels were reported killed and
three government soldiers
wounded in the encounter.
Ph0umi Surprised
American military sources
said today the rebels had
stopped their attack short Of
Houei Sal itself. Military ad-
visers in the area reported no
contact had been made be-
tween royal troops and the at
tackers since early last night.
The rebels apparently still
hold the Housi Sal outpost they
overran, and government troops
moved back to a closer defen-
sive position, the sources said.
Before leaving for the Phil
ippines, Gen. Phoumi told re-
porters he was surprised by
this push"
But he added, 'It does not
make much difference now as
the principle of the cease-fire
was violated" by the rebels in
their earlier attack.
Maj. Gen. r. H. Tucker,
chief of the United States mill
tary advisory group here, flew
to Houei Sal today for an on
the-spot survey of the situation.
South Of the Mekong River
border in Thailand, a 5000
man United States force is
being deployed at the request
of the Thai government in case
the war should spill over into
that country. Some United
States troops are within 40
miles Of the border.
Diplomats viewed with con-
Germ the new military turn.
They said the situation has
now become more compli-
Gated and very precarious."
Diplomats said they mostly
feared that the prof. Communist
attack on Houei Sal might give
Thailand a pretext to demand
direct Intervention to repulse
the Communist threat near her
border.