TALKS ON LAOS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29723, 17 January 1962, Page 18

TALKS ON LAOS

Chairmen Meet Bonn Oum (N.Zf.A.-Reuter—Copyright) GENEVA, Jan. 15. The Soviet and British cochairmen of the Laos Conference today had talks here with Prince Boun Oum, the Right-wing Laotian leader whose disagreement with his princely political rivals has held up formation of a Government of national unity In Laos. The Prince arrived in Geneva by air today for a conference with the neutralist leader. Prince Souvanna Phouma, and the pro-Com-munist Prince Souiphanouvong, the outcome of which is vital to the success of the 14-national conference. Another ealler on the Prince today was Mr Averell Harriman, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, who is seeking Prince Boun Gum’s co-operation in resolving the deadlock between the Laotian leaders. Mr Harriman has returned to Geneva to head the United States delegation to the conference, which has basically completed its work on the international aspects of an agreement to make and keep Laos nritral, and is awaiting a unified Laotian delegation from a coalition government to endorse these formally. Disagreement between the nrinces has centred on Prince Boun Oum’s rejection of an American-backed proposal for the allocation of the defence and interior portfolios to the neutralist group. Tomorrow, providing Prince Souphanouvong who arrived in Moscow todayreaches Geneva in time, a preliminary meeting between the co-chairmen, Mr Malcolm Macdonald, of Britain, and Mr Georgi Pushkin, of the Soviet Union. • and the princes is planned. Prince Souvanna Phouma was expected to arrive by air from | Paris tonight.