Laos Declares Its Neutrality

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29872, 12 July 1962, Page 14

Laos Declares Its Neutrality

(NJfJut.-Reuter—Copyright)

GENEVA, July 9.

The Laotian Coalition Government today tabled its own neutrality declaration to the 14-nation Laos conference, renouncing the protection of “any alliance or military coalition.”

The conference took note of this declaration, which also pledges that the Royal Laotian Government will not allow any country to use Laotian territory for military purposes, or for interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This declaration was, in the words of the Soviet cochairman (Mr Georgi Pushkin) today, “the missing link” in the chain of international accords worked out over 13 months of negotiation at Geneva with the aim of making and keeping Laos neutral. Both East and West have declared their satisfaction at the declaration, which is a unilateral statement by the new Government of Laos. Apart from minor details, the bargaining is now completed and the way open for the Foreign Ministers concerned to come to Geneva to sign the agreement. Western sources said tonight that it might well be possible for the Foreign Ministers to come to Geneva by the end of next week. S.E.A.T.O. Protection The Laotian text is complete with the exception of one reservation: after its renunciation of military alliances, the words “including the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation” are added in brackets. These words would be included in the text should the eight SEA.TO Powers not officially withdraw their protection by the time the conference winds up. A “yes” or “no” from the S.E.A.T.O. Powers is needed before the signing can take place, but whatever they decide, an agreed formula exists and the Laos agreement cannot be endangered. Only four of the eight SE.A.T.O. Powers are represented at the conference— Britain, the United States, France, and Thailand. The other four are Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Mr Malcolm Macdonald, the British co-chairman, termed the Laotian document “a most timely and helpful contribution towards the complete success of our most important task.” Mr Pushkin said the text was in full conformity with the aspiration of the Laotian people and should form

a turning point in tbeir history. A surprise development before today's meeting was a decision by the South Vietnamese delegation to boycott it. The delegation leader said in a statement that Laotian recognition of the North Vietnamese Government was a blow to Laotian neutrality. A Western spokesman said he regretted the boycott and added that he believed no official and irrevocable decision had been made by the Laotian Government to recognise the Hanoi regime.