Centre Group Takes Control In Laos

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29383, 9 December 1960, Page 17

Centre Group Takes Control In Laos

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) VIENTIANE, December 8. The commander of the Vientiane military region, Colonel Khouprasith Abhay, has taken over control of the administrative capital of Vientiane to back the neutralist Prime Minister, Prince Souvanna Phouma, prevent extreme Left-wing infiltration of the Government and protect the city from attacks by Right-wing rebels led by General Phoumi Nosavan.

The coup, which has made almost no change in the Government, was designed to stop Left-wing extremists and to enable the Government to push through a plan for forming a Cabinet of national reconciliation.

It was reported that fighting broke out in the city briefly when troops of the second paratroop battalion, led by Captain Kong Lae, tried to force their way into the city to overthrow the coup of Colonel Khouprasith. The Khouprasith forces threw up a road block to prevent the attacking paratroopers from entering the city. After a few brief fusillades, no more shooting was heard.

A source close to Prince Souvanna said the purpose of the coup was to make Vientiane a truly neutral city, so talks could go on among all three sides and end the four-month-old civil war. Prince Souvanna, who talked briefly with newspaper men in his office today, said that what had happened was not a coup, but a “demonstration of the Army’s loyalty to the Government.” The Right-wing rebel forces of General Phoumi Nosavan, supported by a withering artillery barrage, have pushed to within 90 miles of Vientiane. Government troops were reported to be resisting General Phoumi’s advance towards the key river crossing of Paksane, 80 miles to the east, but Western intelligence sources said casualties were heavy. They said at least 40 had been injured by howitzers and mortar shelling since a renewed barrage began on Tuesday, but no casualties so far have been flown back from the front line.

Captain Kong Lae, who precipitated the Laotian crisis four months ago by a paratroop coup, is reported to have told friends: “We will defend this city house by house.” It is not clear if General Phoumi actually intends attacking the Laotian capital or when

he will be in a position to do so. General Phoumi’s forces still face three major river crossings—the river Sane at Paksane, the river Ngiep, a few miles west, and the river Ngeun, hear Vientiane. General Phoumi’s forces blew up bridges on the first two rivers two months ago when they were retreating before

. a'Kong attack. The third river is unbridged. In the past, the Government i has accused General Phourni of , ’operating from bases across the ■ Mekong river in Thailand and i some unconfirmed reports circu- ' lating in Vientiane today said > that Phouml forces were gather- ! ing across the river.