Coalition in Laos

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33451, 5 February 1974, Page 13

Coalition in Laos

; f.V.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) VIENTIANE (Laos). Feb. 4. The Australian Prime Minlister (Mr Gough Whitlam) I said today that he under- ; stood that the Vientiane Government. and the Pathet. Lao I would sign “within a matter iof a few days,” the docuIments that will lead to forI mation of a new Laotian co[alition Government, the Associated Press reported. [ The Australian leader made ;the remarks at a meeting (with Mr Soth Pethrasy, the permanent Pathet Lao representative in Vientiane, only minutes after spending one hour with the Laotian Prime Minister (Prince Souvanna Phouma). I Mr Whitlam. who arrived ■ today for a six-hour stop in [Laos, told Mr Soth: “Excel[lency, 1 believe you will be [signing the documents that [will lead to the formation of I a new Government within a [matter of a few days.” [ There have been persistent I t umours in Vientiane that the Itwo Lao factions, who have 'agreed to set up a new coalijtion Government, will soon (sign a detailed agreement on the shape and functions ot i the mixed Communist and [ non-Communist police force [ that is to patrol Vientiane once the Government is es- ■ tablished.