For the first time the Joint Commission came to Vientiane for High Commissioner's meetings with International Commission. These meetings will continue until tonight. Last week both parties reported on liberation prisoners of war and civilian internees, the regroupment and transfer forces and clearance and the special convention called for in article 4(b). ³⁶ This week the International Commission will hear both parties on the situation in Sam Neua and Phong Saly and Franco Laotian complaints of forced recruiting by PVV/PL since the cease fire.

2. The most important progress among Commissions has been agreements reached on September 27th regarding liberation and exchange of prisoners of war and civilian internees before October 10th. Discrepancies about precise numbers remain to be sorted out but both sides are co-operating and we anticipate no serious difficulty.

3. The PVV/PL continue to insist that special convention with regards to Vietnamese volunteers settled in Laos before hostilities is beyond competence Commissions and just re-established by two interested governments. The French insist if a convention is not signed by November 21st, the Royal Laotian Government will pass legislation based on a French delegation draft by which all, repeat all, Vietnamese who fought against Royal Government would be forced to leave Laos or for those wishing to remain be assembled in the province of Sam Neua and apply for residence there. Verification and scrutiny of applicants would be carried out under supervision and control of International Commission.

4. International Commission has complained strongly to PVV/PL that information from them on date and route of withdrawal and number and identity of units continue to be either inadequate or notified insufficiently in advance to permit proper supervision. The Government has indicated to the International Commission its increasing concern that forcibly recruited Laotians are being secretly withdrawn along with PVV/PL forces on the jungle route.

5. On the other hand, International Commissions' willingness to investigate such reports has been handicapped by inadequate air transport and slipshod timings by French military authorities. A mobile team sent out on September 28th to investigate a specific complaint - two battalions of forced recruits were being withdrawn, returned on October 2nd having failed their mission largely because of inadequately laid on helicopters. Without helicopters our teams are practically useless. Commission has renewed its demand to French and New Delhi representative being supplied information our minimum requirements are 4 helicopters, 2 or 3 light aircraft and 1 Dakota. 5th and 6th exclusive use International Commission.