From the International Herald Tribune:
SAM NEUA, LAOS Six battalions of Communist guerrilla troops have penetrated the borders of Sam Neua Province in northern Laos and hold more than 20 villages, the commander of the northern zone said today [Aug. 10]. “The situation is serious,” said Brig. Gen. Amkha Soukhavong. The Peking radio quoted Ta Quang Bun, Vice-Minister of National Defense, as saying: “If the army of any country dares to interfere in Laos, according to U.S. imperialist schemes, this would constitute not only an aggressive act against the Laotian people, but also an act directly threatening the security of the Viet Nam Democratic Republic.”