Laotian Truce 'Necessity’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29552, 29 June 1961, Page 13

Laotian Truce 'Necessity’

(N ZP.A .-Keutrr—Copyright) GENEVA, June 27. Fighting is continuing in Laos, the Thai delegate to the international Geneva conference, Mr Konti Suphamongkom, told the conference today. “Indirect attack* continue every day. Innocent men. women and children are the victims of these attacks." He said a cease-fire in Laos

was an imperative necessity —"a condition without which no negotiations or discussions can be carried on freely.*\

The Thai delegate also defended the South-east Asia Treaty Organisation against Communist, attacks at the conference, saying that several delegations found joy in painting an awesome picture of S.E.A.T.O. "One may wonder why?” he asked The leader of the Laotian neutralist delegation, Mr Quinim Pholsena, declared that Laos did not want protection from S.E.A.T.O. or military alliances, or foreign bases on its soil

A representative of the Right-wing Laotian Government appeared at the conference for the first time today to demand a cease-fire by Communist forces. The pro-Western military.

leader, General Phouml Nosavan, said in Geneva today he was flying to Washington to seek to strengthen his alliance with the United States, the Associated Preu said.

General Phoumi, the bead of the 23009-man United

States-equipped Royal Laotian Army, said he will also report to the State Department on the recent Zurich agreement between the heads of three warring Laos factions.

The agreement pledged Laos complete neutrality, rejecting any protection by S.E.AT.O It was generally considered a victory for the neutralist and pro-Communist forces.