LAOS: UNCONFIRMED REPORTS OF AGREEMENT SHORTLY TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT AND PATHET LAO.
Record ID:
644593
LAOS: UNCONFIRMED REPORTS OF AGREEMENT SHORTLY TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT AND PATHET LAO.
- Title: LAOS: UNCONFIRMED REPORTS OF AGREEMENT SHORTLY TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT AND PATHET LAO.
- Date: 6th August 1973
- Summary: 1. LV PAN Street scene 0.06 2. LV & CU P.M.'s residence with armed guard (3 shots) 0.19 3. SV & CU EXT Airport align "USAID/L Passenger Terminal" (2 shots) 0.26 4. LV & CU C-123 aircraft on tarmac with Laotian emblem (2 shots) 0.30 5. GV 'Plane taxiing 0.37 6. LV & CU Pathet Lao H.Q. with soldiers around (2 shots) 0.45 7. LV PAN Vehicle emerges from H.Q. 0.53 8. TV Market scene 0.58 9. SV & CU Rice being sold in market (2 shots) 1.04 10. SV & CU Vegetables being sold in market (4 shots) 1.19 11. CU Gold ornaments on display 1.20 12. SV & CU Lady buys ornaments (4 shots) 1.36 13. GV & SV EXT Bank of Indochina (2 shots) 1.39 14. SV & CU Business conducted in bank (4 shots) 1.47 15. GV Traffic around Independence monument 1.54 Initials BB/2200 IG/MR/NN/2250 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 21st August 1973 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: VIENTIANE, LAOS
- Country: Laos
- Reuters ID: LVA1TVRSU8BQ4SUSJZBOX5B27XAN
- Story Text: In Vientiane, the administrative capital of Laos, there are unconfirmed reports that the Laotian Government and the pro-communist Pathet Lao will shortly announce the signing of a comprehensive peace settlement.
A ceasefire was signed between the two sides five months ago, at the time of the Vietnam ceasefire, but since then negotiations have dragged on inconclusively.
However, recently some progress has been reported. The neutralisation of Vientiane and the royal capital of Luang Prabang was recently agreed upon as was the composition of a new coalition government -- cabinet portfolios are to be divided between the present incumbents, the Pathet Lao and neutrals.
But one of the major stumbling blocks to a successful conclusion to the negotiations has been the presence of foreign forces in Laos helping the two sides. The Pathet Lao have been reported to be receiving help from North Vietnamese troops, while the Government side has been receiving American aid. It is reported that agreement has been reached on the disengagement of all foreign forces in Laos.
The Laotian economy, the weakest in Southeast Asia, has inevitably been seriously dislocated by the long hostilities and the inconclusive negotiations. Food production has been drastically curtailed by the hostilities, and in an economy that is 90% subsistence this has had a serious impact on the price levels of basic foods. Additionally much foodstuff has had to be imported. The value of the Laotian Kip has fallen dramatically over the past few years. Since the beginning of 1973 it has fallen against the pound sterling by 7 1/2%, despite the latter's declining value on world money markets.
The successful conclusion of the peace negotiations would appear to be an essential precondition for the stabilization and recovery of the battered Laotian economy.
SYNOPSIS: In Vientiane, the administrative capital of Laos, there are unconfirmed reports that a general peace settlement has been reached. Since the ceasefire, five months ago, negotiations have been taking place between the Laotian Government and the pro-communist Pathet Lao.
It is reported that agreement has been reached on the withdrawal of foreign forces from Laos. These American-built transport 'planes are of a type that, it is claimed, have been used for transporting Laotian government troops and supplies to combat areas.
The Pathet Lao, whose Vientiane headquarters are seen here, have for their part been accused of receiving support from North Vietnamese regulars.
Meanwhile in the market place at Vientiane prices of essential foodstuffs continue to rise. Areas under cultivation have shrunk drastically due to the fighting, and in an economy that is 90% subsistence this has meant a tremendous rise in imports.
Expensive gold ornaments for Vientiane's wealthier citizens also have to be imported. While exports, never very large, have fallen away still further, imports have trebled in the last three years. The value of the Laotian Kip has dropped badly in the last few years. Since the beginning of 1973 it has fallen against the pound sterling by seven and a half per cent, despite the latter's declining value on world markets.
So for the inhabitants of Laos both their economic and political future is in the balance.
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