The Press TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1961. Laos And S.E.A.T.O.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 8

The Press TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1961. Laos And S.E.A.T.O.

The United States* decision to arrange an urgent meeting of the council of the South-east Asia Treaty Organisation indicates how gravely events in Laos are viewed in Washington, and how New Zealand, because of its membership of 5.E.A.T.0., may be affected by attempts to pacify this tiny, land-locked kingdom. The S.E.A.T.O. Powers are required by the Manila Pact and its protocol to protect the territorial and political independence of Laos against armed attack or any other evernal threat Reports of the Laotian fighting are confused and contradictory. The newly-established pro-Western Government of Prince Boun Oum claims that North ' etnamese troops are invading the country; Chinese Communist intervention is also alleged. If these reports are substantiated sufficiently, the Manila Pact may be invoked; and if war results New Zealand could be involved However, even if external interference in Laotian affairs is proved, ‘more conclusively than when Laos last complained to the United Nations. S.E.A.T.O. can act only upon the request of the recognised Laotian Government. Prince Boun Oum’s regjme lacks the fo’rnal but necessary approval cf the National Assembly, which has not met since Prince Souvanna Phouma, the former Prime Minister, fled to Cambodia. The S.E.A.T.O. Powers are thus confronted with a situation bristling with technical

and diplomatic difficulties, made more intractable by the present interregnum at the United States State Department and by differences of opinion within the alliance. Because of the flow of foreign aid to the Laotian Communists '(from Russia, China, and North Vietnam) and to pro-Western elements (from the United States and Siam), it has alrqpdy proved impossible to confine the Laotian strife within strictly national limits. For instance, an unarmed American observation plane has been fired on while watching a supply drop from a Russian aircraft. The obvious danger is that Laos will become a cockpit for the rival blocs. British newspapers have condemned the United States’ failure to encourage a neutral regime in Vientiane; and French observers criticise the American determination to reassert unequivocally Western influences, although the sequel might be intensified civil warfare. Against American opposition the British Government has taken up an Indian suggestion for the recall to Laos of the International Control Commission, which has been in recess since 1958. Small Powers such as New Zealand may play an important part in harmonising American,' British, and French policies. They may thus contribute not only to the strengthening of S.E.A.T.O. at a critical stage but towards removing perhaps the worst threat to Asian peace since the Korean war.