GENEVA TALKS NOT BEGUN

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 11

GENEVA TALKS NOT BEGUN

China, U.S. Clash On Representation

(N Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright) GENEVA, May 14. China and the United States clashed sharply in Geneva last night over who will represent Laos itself at the stalled 14-Power Laotian peace conference. The Chinese accused the United States of “obstructing” the start of the conference and declared that the Right-wing Laotian Government had no right to attend. A glimmer of hope that the conference might begin appeared yesterday with news from Laos that the warring parties had reached formal agreement on a cease-fire and were to start political meetings.

British sources last night, however, predicted that in spite of the American-Chinese clash, the conference may open on Monday. The Chinese-American exchanges came last night after day - long efforts by statesmen to break the deadlock on Laotian representation. A Chinese spokesman charged the United States with interfering in the internal affairs of Laos. This drew a quick and blunt retort from the American Secretary of State (Mr Rusk). He described the accusation as “utterly false” and said it was the Communists themselves who had not been open about their activities in Laos. ‘‘The United States was utterly unjustified in insisting on a verification of a cease-fire as a condition for the start of the conference." the Chinese spokesman said. He said that the neutralist Government of Prince Souvanna Phouma was the sole legal Government of Laos. Since the United States had acted to obstruct the opening of the conference, one was entitled to ask whether the United States delegation came to Geneva to take part in the, conference or to sabotage it, he said. China was ready to work out an agreement on the Laos problem with the other participants on the basis of the 1954 Geneva agreements It was the ‘‘consistent hope” of China that Laos should be an independent and neutral State, peaceful and democratic and free from internal interference. Western observers said this showed a significant difference with the Soviet Union which acknowledges the Royal Government’s right to sit at the conference table, though also demanding equal representations for the neutralist and pro-Commu-nist Pathet Lao delegations. But was believed that the Chinese would, in fact, act

with the Russians on this point. The Chinese spokesman who delivered his Government’s views refused to say whether the Chinese would oppose seating the Rightwing Government. The chief delegate of Prince Souvanna Phouma’s neutralist group .to the conference, Pholsena Guimm. said yesterday that the three rival groups in Laos would be unable to unite for a long time to come, the British United Press reported. ’ He claimed that Prince Souvanna’s group already had the confidence of the proCommunist Pathet Lao. which he said controlled most of the country. The British Foreign Secretary (Lord Home) last night had talks for more than an hour with the Chinese Foreign Minister (Marshal Chen Yi). Reuter said. But a usually reliable source said their discussion d'id not advance the prospects of starting the conference. But the main meeting of

the day was that between Mr I Rusk and the Soviet Foreign; Minister (Mr Gromyko). Mr I Rusk stood rock firm in rejecting Soviet attempts to bring the Pathet Lao to the conference table with the Royal Laotian Government's representatives, who reached Geneva yesterday morning. The two met for more than an hour without solving the Laotian representation issue. With Mr Rusk was I,ord Home and Mr Couve de Murville of France. Reuter said Lord Home and Mr Gromyko, the co-chair-men, were said to be considering' tVe possibilities of a compromise. They were due to meet again today. Official sources in Geneva were reticent about a possible compromise. But some circles emphasised that the job of the conference was to discuss international aspects of the Laos crisis, and not the country’s internal polities. It was thought this could lead to the formation of a united Laotian Government.