Plain of Jars changes hands

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32659, 15 July 1971, Page 11

Plain of Jars changes hands

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SAIGON, July 14. Meo tribe commandos under the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency have seized virtually complete control of the Plain of Jars in northern Laos with no significant resistance from Communist-led forces, American sources said yesterday.

Except for five months in 1969, the Plain of Jars has been held by North Viet-namese-Pathet Lao forces since 1964. The lull in battlefield action continued across IndoChina and activity was reduced even further by tropical storm Kim which headed toward North Vietnam’s coast after lashing the northern sector of South Vietnam with up to 10 inches of rain. American sources, who arrived in Vientiane from the Plain of Jars, said that commando teams from the clandestine Meo Army of General Vang Pao have covered most of the plain in search of Communist supplies. The sources said that the pro-Govemment forces uncovered large underground food stores, including canned pork , condensed milk and coffee. Very few munitions were uncovered. For years General Vang Pao has launched offensives in the monsoon season in efforts to strengthen his positions against North Vietnamese attacks during the dry season, which begins in November.

The pattern has been for the Meo forces to make advances in the wet season

only to be pushed back in dry season offensives by Communist-led forces.