INVASION FORCE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 9

INVASION FORCE

Denial By N. Vietnam (Rec. 10 p.m.) HANOI, Jan. 1. Communist North Vietnam said today that allegations that its forces had invaded Laos were made only as a pretext for the Laotian Government of Prince Boun Oum to ask the United States and S.E-A.T.O. countries to send troops to Laos. In a Government statement reported in a New China news agency message. North Vietnam in turn accused the United States of "cruel intervention” in . the internal affairs of Laos. It said: “It is clear that the United States has made a new step forward in openly introducing new arms and military personnel into Laos to help the Boun Oum rebels oppose the legal Government” North Vietnam said the only Laotian Government it recognised was that of Prince Souvanna Phouma. American aid to Prince Boun Oum “completely contravenes international law. The North Vietnam statement said proposals to convene a meeting of the countries at the 1954 Geneva conference and to reacti-

vate the International Supervisory and Control Commission in Laos should be carried out without delay. Russia, supported by China, has also called for a meeting of the eight participants of the 1954 Geneva conference and resumption of the international commission for Laos. Britain and Russia were co-chairmen of the Geneva conference, the other members being the United States. China. North and South Vietnam. Laos and Cambodia.

The Control Commission, consisting of India (chairman). Canada and Poland, was adjourned indefinitely in the summer of 1958. The United States has opposed revival of the Control Commission because it believes that Communist membership in the group makes it unworkable.