World: LAOS: Four Phases to Nonexistence

THE hesitation waltz went on last week in Laos. Neutralist Prince Souvanna Phouma flew in from Paris, but threatened that unless he got the neutralist coalition government he wanted by June 15, he would fly back to France—probably for good. Red Prince Souphanouvong remained in the Communist-held north, issuing occasional bulletins to the effect that he would be delighted to join Souvanna's coalition. But the other vital ingredients—pro-Western Prince Boun Oum and right-wing General Phoumi Nosavan—were missing. Continuing their junketing round of Southeast Asian nations in search of money and sympathy, the two...