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Conference On Laos Proposed By Russia

(Rec. 10 p.m.) MOSCOW, March 27. As the Ministers of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation opened their crucial talks in Bangkok today, the Soviet Communist Party newspaper “Pravda” called for an international conference to settle the Laotian situation.

Associated Press, in a report from Moscow, said that the “Pravda” article apparently meant that Russia would agree to the British proposal for a truce and a negotiated settlement in Laos.

The fact that the article waS signed by “Observer” meant that it came from the highest Government authority. the agency said. The article apparently foreshadowed what the Soviet Foreign Minister (Mr Gromyko) is to tell President Kennedy at their meeting in Washington later today. The “Pravda” article signed by “Observer" said: “The use of force by S.E.A.T.O. against the people of Laos can also be countered by force. The peace-loving States will not remain indifferent to the plans of S.E.A.T.O. intervention in Laos. “We are firmly convinced that it would be better, in the interests of peace not to push matters to such a stage. Intervention. once it is started, is fraught with farreaching consequences for all its initiators. “If the United States really stands for the solution of this problem at a conference table and not on the battlefield, why then send its fleet and armed forces to the shores of Indo-China? Can anyone really believe that threats can contribute to the peace-

ful solution of the Laotian problem? “It is perfectly obvious that the way to the solution of the Laotian problem lies not through aggravation of the situation in the area of Laos, ntrt through the preparation of a military intervention, but through peaceful talks, through the convocation of an international conference and the revival of the International Commission, as proposed by the Soviet Union and other peace-loving States." “The U.S.S.R. has for a tong time consistently proposed measures to regularise the situation in Laos by talks,” said the newspaper. “The Soviet Government considers it necessarily urgent to call an international conference to regularise the Laotian problem.” “Pravda” suggested a conference of the countries which took part in the 1954 Geneva conference on IndoChina, together with the United States and “certain other directly interested countries." Cease Fire Not Mentioned

But it made no mention of a cease fire in the strife-torn Asian kingdom—a condition Britain made in accepting.

with American backing, the Soviet Union’s earlier demand for an international conference.

The article said: "The people are awaiting immediate action to bring about the cessation as quickly as possible of the military intervention of the S.E.A.T.O. countries in the internal affairs of the Laotian people. “To prevent the spreading of the fire of war in the area of Laos and to help Laos to find peace on the basis of the carrying on of an independent and neutral policy—these are the urgent problems.” U.S. Policy Criticised

The article commented on President Kennedy’s White House press conference statement last Thursday. It said it could not agree ivith his explanation of the Laotian situation.

“The President nowhere mentions that a lawful Government headed by Prince Souvanna Phouma exists in Laos, against which a rebellion inspired from outside has been raised. "Nothing was said either about the fact that the United States has interfered in the internal affairs of Laos, and is sending weapons and military advisers there.” Chinese Comment The Communist Chinese newspaper "Ta Kung Pao” in a commentary today, urged efforts to check a United States “plot for extended military intervention against Laos."

The newspaper, quoted by the New China news agency, said "United States imperialism” had increased military aid to the Laotian “rebel clique” and instigated attacks on the “legal Royal Laotian Government and the patriotic forces.”

This was part of “its persistent policy to subvert the legal Laotian Government, suppress the Laotian people and tighten its control over Laos by force,” the commentary claimed. The United States had also intensified steps to muster the “S.E.A.T.O. aggressive bloc” for intervention and aggression in Laos, and at the same time was deploying its armed forces for “direct participation in the war when necessary.”

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19610328.2.129

Bibliographic details

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

Word Count
689

Conference On Laos Proposed By Russia Press, Volume C, Issue 29474, 28 March 1961, Page 15

Conference On Laos Proposed By Russia Press, Volume C, Issue 29474, 28 March 1961, Page 15

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