Fighting In Laos On "Dangerous Scale’

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29747, 14 February 1962, Page 13

Fighting In Laos On "Dangerous Scale’

(NZ.P .A.-Reuter—Copyright)

BANGKOK, February 13.

The Secretary-General of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation (Mr Pote Sarasin) said yesterday that fighting had commenced “on a dangerous scale” in Laos and warned that the assistance Laos might obtain from friendly countries should not be under-estimated.

Mr Sarasin said that the S.E.A.T.O. member nations would continue to make every effort to settle the Laotian problem by peaceful means, but he added: “I hope any aggressor against Laos will not underestimate the assistance Laos may obtain from friendly countries "

Mr Sarasin made the statement in a written reply to reporter’s questions.

He said: “It is of deep concern to all iSE.A.T.O.) members that instead of a solution by peaceful means fighting has commenced on a dangerous scale which not only will destroy the chance of a settlement but make for the continuation of hostilities which may lead to more dangerous events.” S.E.A.T.O. relations with Laos remained unchanged, he

said. (Laos is under the protective umbrella of the eightnation 5.E.A.T.0.)

Mr Sarasin said that S.E.A.T.O. wanted to see an independent and sovereign Laos brought about by agreement among the leaders of the three Laotian factions. Leftist Attack

Leftist forces besieging Nam Tha, in north-west Laos, had shifted their attack to small settlements west of the town, it was reported in Bangkok today. The “Bangkok World," reporting from Vientiane, said the Leftist assault on the town's airstrip had ceased but the runway was still out of action after heavy shelling. Aircraft bringing in ammunition and supplies to Government troops holding the town could not land on the grass strip. The Laotian Information Minister (Mr Bouavan Norasingh), according to the report, estimated that 60 Pathet Lao guerrillas had died in the fighting around Nam Tha. He said the Government suffered two dead and 10 wounded.

The Royal Laotian Army had plans to reinforce the town's garrison with paratroops to be flown in some time this week.