PROOF OF CLAIMS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29474, 28 March 1961, Page 15

PROOF OF CLAIMS

Prisoner’s Evidence NEW YORK, March 27 A wounded prisoner captured in a recent clash with Government Laos troops has admitted that he was a member of a regular Vietnamese Communist unit now operating on Laotian territory, according to a “New York Times” dispatch from Vientiane. published today. The dispatch said the prisoner’s statement supported the Laotian Gov nment's charge of an invasion bv regular troops from Communist North Vietnam. The wounded man’s testimony was almost certain to be laid before the Council of Ministers of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation, who began their meeting in Bangkok today. The “New York Times” dispatch said that if the man’s story stood up unaer investigation, it would do much to bear out the charges made by the pro-Western Laotian Government that its chief enemy in the current civil war was not the Pathet Lao rebels. but -regular North Vietnam battalions that have crossed the border. Until now. some Western observers had scoffed at the Government’s complaint tha’ Vietnamese soldiers were operating their own batta’ions. the dispatch said The wounded man. Vinb Van Sang, was captured last Wednesday His condition w-as described as not serious

Scented Match.—A new match has been produced in Holland which gives off a pleasant odour of tobacco while burning, has a multicoloured flame, keeps alight even in a strong wind and s’ops burning just before the fl’me comes into contact with the user’s fingers.—London March 27.