1.
LS. RUSSIAN PLANE LANDING IN VIENTIANE.
11 ft

2.
MS. LAOTIANS GOING TO PLANE TO UNLOAD.
13 ft

3.
MLS. PLANE.
16 ft

4.
LS. PEOPLE UNLOADING SUPPLIES.
21 ft

5.
LS PAN TO 3 MORE RUSSIAN PLANES AT AIRPORT.
25 ft



Initials PC/V/PB VTS/S/LB


EDITORS: Despite poor quality this film was sent for its strong news interest. Please refer to Prod.No.7967 on same subject.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Five Soviet Ilyushin-14 transport planes flew into Vientiane, Laos, Dec 4, carrying the first shipment of Russian-donated petroleum supplies to the Laotian Government of neutralist Premier Prince Souvanna Phouma. This film of their arrival and unloading was detained by Laos military authorities, but was subsequently released after an appeal to the Government.

Supplies of petroleum, diesel oil and paraffin have been scarce in Laos since pro-Western Thailand closed its border to all overland shipments.

The recently concluded Russian aid scheme for the country will provide 1/4 million gallons of petrol and plentiful supplies of sugar, milk and flour. this will be shipped from Hanoi in North Vietnam.

Accompanied by his family and six Ministers, Prince Souvanna Phouma arrived Dec 9 in Phompenh, capital of Cambodia, by air from Vientiane. It was reported that they were fleeing from Laos where opposing forces of the army were facing each other across a bridge in Vientiane. Urgent negotiations were taking place to prevent a clash.