Tension Over Events In Laos Developing

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28868, 13 April 1959, Page 11

Tension Over Events In Laos Developing

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, April 11. The Indo-China kingdom of Laos, with its two million inhabitants, is threatening to develop into a major area of tension between the two power blocs in the Far East, according to diplomatic observers in London.

Reports from the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation conference just ended in Wellington, said the pact’s military planners regarded Laos as the main “hot spot” in the area and were drawing up a blue print for the country’s defence, though it was not a member of S.E.A.T.O. Communist China also regards Laos as an area of tension, but for different reasons. Chinese statements hdve accused Laos of preparing to become a United States military base and of violating the armistice agreements on IndoChina drawn up in Geneva in 1954.

Communists have regarded the Laotian regime with increasing dislike since an anti-Communist government was set up last August. Observers said that if events were allowed to develop along their present course, they might develop into a major world crisis

comparable to that over the Quemoy Islands off China last year However, there were indications that neither the Soviet Union, nor Britain, which are among the nations committed to East-West negotiations about Germany this spring, wished the situation in Laos to get out of hand.

In British official circles, the description of Laos as a “hot spot” was described as exaggerated. No military action of any kind is now in progress in Laos, it was stated.

Reports were received that some North Vietnam troops crossed the Laotian border and installed themselves on Laotian territory early this year, but no shots were exchanged. There was no suggestion that the Laotian Government considered itself immediately threatened by aggression or intended to appeal for aid, it was stated.