RUSSIA’S HAND SEEN IN LAOS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28983, 26 August 1959, Page 13

RUSSIA’S HAND SEEN IN LAOS

U.S. Accusation Of Complicity

WASHINGTON, August 25

United States officials today described the Laos fighting as part of a world-wide grand design of Chinese-Soviet strategy. They discounted speculation that China had instigated the action in an attempt to embarrass Mr Khrushchev in his talks with President Eisenhower. On the contrary, they said, the Laos crisis was the product of concerted planning by China and the Soviet Union.

Washington officials said that the surprising aspect of the crisis was that it had not happened many months earlier, when it became clear that Laos was determined to maintain its independence irrespective of Communist pressures, and the present proWestern Laotian Government was formed.

The United States has accused the Soviet Union officially of “complicity” in the Communist guerrilla warfare. It also has noted that the Communist attacks were preceded by a visit to Moscow of the Communist North Vietnam leader. Dr. Ho Chi Minh.

The Secretary of State (Mr Christian Herter) told Congressional foreign policy leaders that he was “very much disturbed” over the Communist military offensive. The situation was “very dangerous” and might lead to United Nations action “before too long,’ he said.

The military situation in Laos is viewed with serious concern, but it is believed that the danger is perhaps not as great as some reports suggest. Officials in close touch with Laotian developments said that

as far as they could determine, the insurgents were mostly bands of demobilised Pathet Lao troops, aided by brigands and malcontents.

Their attacks were mostly hit-and-run raids, with Laotian Government forces reoccupying the positions taken. The rebels were concentrated mostly in various parts of Samneua province in north-eastern Laos, and along the Nam Ma river. They were hard to find since they were spread out.