1.
GV Street PAN TO Laotian embassy
0.06

2.
SV ZOOM IN TO CU Souvanna Phouma talking to reporter (SOF IN AT 8ft.2.4m. 13 Secs.)
2.03


TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 2: SOUVANNA PHOUMA: Obviously the withdrawal of American troops from Indochina provokes some anxiety. I think that in spite of everything this withdrawal will be beneficial, I think it could lead to a return to peace in South-East Asia. I do not believe the United States will completely abandon this part of the world, and Washington will certainly keep some forces in the area. In any case we hope that after the withdrawal of the United States from the former French Indo-China, North Vietnam will put an end to the war, and South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos will find peace again. As far as Vietnamisation is concerned, I can tell you nothing -- we do not want to involve ourselves in the internal affairs of South Vietnam.



MAGNY: Your Highness, you have said nothing about Laos.



SOUVANNA PHOUMA: I have not spoken about my country, in fact, because at the moment the situation there has improved. According to the information sent to me in the lat few days, it seems we have retaken the territory which we lost last year. In any case I have been seeking through the French and American Government, and shall be through the British Government next, the best means to bring into effect the Geneva Agreement of 1962, the sole treaty which could guarantee the future of my country.




Initials OS/2159



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Laotian Prime Minister, Prince Souvanna Phouma, in Paris for talks with French officials on the Indochina situation, said on Saturday (9 October) that North Vietnam could put an end to the war after the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam.

Prince Souvanna Phouma was speaking to Visnews staffman Jean Magny. In reply to a question on the condition of Laos, he replied that his country's hopes were resting on bringing into effect the Geneva Agreement of 1962.

SYNOPSIS: In Paris on Saturday, the Laotian Prime Minister, Prince Souvanna Phouma, spoke in a television interview about his country's hopes for the ending of the war in Indochina. The Prince had earlier held talks with President Pompidou on the situation in Vietnam. Prince Souvanna Phouma said that the American withdrawal from Vietnam would provoke some anxiety among the people of Indochina, but that it could lead to a return of peace to the area. He said that an American withdrawal may prompt the North Vietnamese to put an end to the war. On the question of Veitnamisation, the Prince said his country wanted nothing to do with the internal affairs of South Vietnam. Prince Souvanna Phouma said the situation in Laos was much improved, and that his forces had retaken much of the territory they had lost the year before. He added that he would be talking at a later date with officials from the French, British and American Governments about the best means to bring the Geneva Agreement of 1962 into effect. The Prince said the agreement was the sole treaty which could guarantee the future of his country.