East And West May Strike Bargain In Indo-China

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27375, 14 June 1954, Page 9

East And West May Strike Bargain In Indo-China

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) ' GENEVA, June 12. A small group of diplomats “in the know” about the talks held today between Mr Eden ami Mr Molotov are maintaining strict silence, but diplomatic circles in Geneva believe* big moves may be afoot to strike an East-West bargain over Laos and Cambodia, the two smaller Indo-China States. According to Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent, Western delegates privately admit that there is almost no hope of coming to terms with the Communists over Laos and Cambodia through the normal processes of conference room negotiation, but the future of these two States could be a vital factor in settling the bigger question of East-West coexistence in South-east Asia and in preventing another world war once a formal attempt to end the Indo-China conflict failed.

The Communists, and especially the Chinese, have indicated deep concern about the possibility of the United States establishing bases in Laos and Cambodia as a forward area in any Western-sponsored South-east Asian defence system. t All the evidence available to the West goes to show that there are numerous regular Vietminh battalions from neighbouring Vietnam in Laos and Cambodia, especially in' Laos, where only a few months ago they cut the country into two . by driving west across to Siam’s frontier.

An important aspect of the LaosCambodia negotiations to date has been the Communist point-blank refusal to that there are any Vietminh forces in the two territories. It is therefore possible that the Communists were leaving a way open to a tacit understanding to evacuate them, which would involve a serious loss of face. Conference sources reported tonight that Mr Molotov asked Mr Eden to agree to a further plenary session or Indo-China on Monday. Mr Eden wa: noir-committal, the sources said.