LAOS ACCEPTS CHINESE AID

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29366, 19 November 1960, Page 13

LAOS ACCEPTS CHINESE AID

Coalition With Left Planned (A'.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) VIENTIANE, November 18. Prince Souvanna Phouma’s Government has promised to accept assistance from Communist China and the North Vietnam Republic. This was announced today in a joint statement released by the pro-Communist Pathet Lao movement and Government delegations to the peace talks in Vientiane.

Laos has been supported largely by American dollars. The United States has pumpecT about 300 million dollars into Laos since 1954 to keep the strategic Buddhist kingdom in the anti-Communist camp, American Associated Press said. About 85 per cent, of the aid has gone into the country's military and civil budget.

The communique announcing the acceptance of Communist help was the first from peace ta.ks that Prince Souvanna opened with the

Pathet Lao negotiators a month ago.

The statement asks for the formation of a coalition Government as soon as possible, with individuals from all classes and political parties, including the Pathet Lao's Neo Lao Haksat Party. The means of achieving such a new Government will be discussed.

The joint statement says that both the delegations were pleased with the Government's decision in Vientiane to re-establish postal relations with Communist China and North Vietnam. Prince Souvanna yesterday dismissed his army commander-in-chief, General Ouane Rathikoun. who appeared to have joined Prince Bonn Oum's Right-wing revolutionary movement in annakhet.The Prime Minister said he believed General Ouane had been in Savannakhet since Wednesday

Bangkok newspapers reported today that the Governor of Vientiane has arrived in the northern Thai border town at’ Nongkhai and requested asylum. Sources from the Ministry of the Interior said a high official of the Ministry was making an on the spot survey of the damage done to property in Thailand by firing from Laos. The sources said the fire might be returned by the Thais if it was recommended in the official's report.