Guarded Reaction To Soviet Laos Plan

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 11

Guarded Reaction To Soviet Laos Plan

(N Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright)

GENEVA, May 15.

Western Foreign Ministers will meet in Geneva this morning to consider their attitude to the Soviet draft declaration on Laotian neutrality, withdrawal of foreign forces from the Kingdom, and duties of the International Control Commission. First reactions to the Soviet plan—submitted yesterday to the 14-nation conference by the Soviet Foreign Minister (Mr Gromjko)—were guarded, but not unfavourable.

The British Foreign Min. ister (Lord Home) said the proposals “appeared to contain some constructive ele. ments” and a United States delegation spokesman welcomed Mr Gromyko’s "temperate language." Conference observers felt Western delegatee would find difficulty in accepting the implications of the Soviet plan. The Russians proposed that Laos be withdrawn from the protection of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation and that major decisions of the International Control Commission should be unanimous, thus giving Poland a veto. The agreement in principle

to form a coalition laotian Government, reached by the Right and Left-wing factions in Laos yesterday, raised hopes in Geneva of a speedier settlement in Laos. The Indian Defence Minister (Mr Krishna Menon) will be the main speaker at today’s session. He will be the last of the leading delegates to speak. The American Secretary of State (Mr Dean Rusk) and Mr Gromyko both called yesterday for the complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Laos. Both proclaimed a wish for a demilitarised and neutral Laos.

Mr Rusk promised to remove all United States military men if foreign Communist elements North Vietnamese —were withdrawn from rebel ranks. Mr Gromyko insisted that all foreign troops must evacuate Laos within 30 days of a conference agreement.

Mr Rusk had said there was no problem about the withdrawal of the limited United States military staff already in Laos. He demanded. however, that foreign Communist soldiers also be withdrawn Mr Gromyko’s first resolution suggested that Laos should join no military alliances, and that no foreign military staff or bases would be allowed in the country. He also demanded that the South-east Asia Treaty Organisation should withdraw its protection over Laos

He proposed that in the event of any violation of Laos’ neutrality, the 14 nations gathered in Geneva should “consult at once to remove the threat.” At Ban Namone, in Laos, the three delegations to the Laotian peace talks today agreed in principle to the formation of a coalition Government.

They also agreed in principle to the formation of a cease-fire supervision com. mittee consisting of representatives of each of the three factions—the Vientiane Gov. ernment, the Pathet Lao and the former neutralist Government of Prince Souvanna Phouma.