Souvanna Phouma Seems Optimistic on LAuOs Pace

By HENRY ings so far to raise the issue merely the bearer of a message The Premier, looking relaxed Special To The new York Timea of a halt in American 'bombing from Prince . and confident with a long cigar , , Aug. 6 - in Laos as a precondition for In a meeting with the envoy instead of his usual pipe, re- Premier Souvanna Phouma said peace negotiations. Previous today, Prince Souvanna Phouma stated his willingness to reach lir an interview today that he attempts to talk peace faltered asked him for a proposed agen- a limited truce that would ex- was more optimistic about the on this point. da for a possible meeting be- clude the region of the Ho ppssibility of peace talks with The second factor the Prince tween the two half-brothers. Chi Minh Trail, along which Ins Jhalf-brother, Prince Soupha- said he found encouraging was The Prince tempered his op- nouvong, leader of the Pathet the person of the envoy. He timism by stating that the en- North Vietnamese men and Lao. is Tiao Souk Vongsak, a nephew voy had restated the Pathet supplies move south. The Premier indicated that of the Queen, a prince in his Lao's familiar conditions for a "As I said to the. North Viet- his.optimism was based on two own right and an important settlement, which include a namese ambassador some years factors. Pathet Lao personality. bombing halt. The only differ- ago already, what happens along ,The first, which he appeared The Premier considers Prince ence is that so far the Pathet to consider more important, was the Trail is some- Souk Vongsak as a man em- Lao appear ready to talk about thing -between the Vietnamese the failure of Prince Soupha- powered to carry on pre- peace while the bombing con- and the Americans," the Prince nouvong's envoy in two meet- iminary negotiations and not tinues. recalled. If the Pathet Lao said they were ready to make peace if all bombing, including on the trail stopped, the Premier said he would reply: "On condition that all Vietnamese troops leave Laos. But if they use the Ho Chi Minh Trail I cannot prevent the Americans from bombing." Premier Souvanna Phouma said he hoped he would con- tinue to have the support of the United States . in his effort for peace, particularly since the United States wanted to with- draw its troops from South Vietnam as soon as possible.