| Le 1 Mars 2001 |
| ->Laos:
Narcotics Control Reports -- 2000 (U.S. Department of State) or U.S.
govt server --Laos remains the world’s third largest producer of illicit opium,
although well behind Burma and Afghanistan. For the 2000 growing season, the U.S.
estimates Laos’ potential production at 210 metric tons, which is higher ->Laos
travels on an economic bridge to nowhere (Australian Financial Review) --The main
beneficiaries of the bridge, which is considerably under-used based on initial passenger
and freight projections, are party cadres and tycoons on their way to Thailand's Nong Khai
and Udon Thani to load up on the trappings of Western-style consumerism. The other main
bridge users are diplomats going to the dentist in Thailand.
->Australian
ambassador hosts annual student get-together (Lao News Agency)--Some 400 former
students and trainees, who underwent short and long term studies in Australia, were
invited. The gathering was an opportunity for returned students to share their experiences
with others like themselves
-> Private donation promise
better education (Lao News Agency)--The US$ 19,000 grant was provided by the Japanese
individual Mr. Makoto Saito to construct the four classroom building and buy necessary
school equipment. Each classroom can accommodate up to 60 students.
-> From Lao News
Agency CLICK HERE |
| Le 2 Mars 2001 |
-> U.S.
govt hand over of vehicles and demining equipment to UXO Laos <<<
Lao NA---At an official hand-over ceremony, U.S. Embassy Charge d' Affaires a.i. Karen
Stewart donated over $1.5 million dollars' worth of vehicles and demining equipment as
part of the U.S. Govt's support of the UXO Laos.
->Laos:
Feasibility study for reproductive health communication project <<< EC/UNFPA Initiative---The feasibility
study included a literature review of IEC and media documentation in Lao PDR, meetings
with prospective partners, key informants and stakeholders in the reproductive health
sector, and in-depth focus group
->Oudomsay: Nam Nga Bailey
bridge open <<< Lao NA---The Nam Nga Bailey bridge at Nakhok village on
Meuang Say-Nam Nga route, Oudomsay province, has opened to the public. The funding to the
construction was a grant from the Swedish International Development Agency
-> New
Mekong basin power market opens up
<<< ElectricNet---A potent mix of economics, geo-politics and development
assistance is about to foster a brand new major market in distributed generation in the
five Southeast Asian countries of the Mekong river basin -- Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,
Thailand
-> China defence
chief to visit SE Asia, Nepal
<<< Reuters/AltaVista---Chinese Defence Minister Chi Haotian will visit Cambodia,
Laos, Nepal and Vietnam next week, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday. It
quoted the Chinese Defence Ministry as saying Chi would depart on Monday
-> Chinese
DM to visit four Asian nations <<< Xinhua NA---Defense Minister Chi Haotian
will start an official goodwill visit next Monday to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Nepal,
the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced here Friday. Chi will be visiting the
four nations
-> From Lao NA click HERE->Les dirigeants déposent
des couronnes à M. Kou Souvannaméthy, ex ministre de la Justice
->Le président de la
RDP lao reçoit les ambassadeurs étrangers
->Séminaire
sur la loi et la justice dans les 4 provinces centrales du Laos
->Laos-JICA :
Séminaire sur l’étude du plan global pour le développement agricole intégral |
Le
3 Mars 2001 |
| ->Laos urged to be patient --
They will be tried in Thai courts first <<< Bangkok Post---Thailand will not break its promise to return 28
rebels to Laos, but they will be tried first for offences under Thai law, the Foreign
Ministry said yesterday. "We have procedures to follow," spokesman Pradap
Pibulsonggram said |
Le
4 Mars 2001 |
->Christianity,
shamanism come together with Minnesota's Hmong population <<< Star Tribune---Wa Koua Lor and Sia Lo share a lot --
family, nationality, culture. But in matters of faith, the two cousins respectfully part
ways. Lor is a shaman -- a spiritual healer in the traditional Hmong faith of shamanism.
Lo is a Christian
-> Court liaison to help
Hmong understand legal system <<< AP/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel---The Wausau
Area Hmong Mutual Association is hiring a court liaison worker in an effort to make the
courts less confusing to Southeast Asian refugees. "Southeast Asian youth and parents
don't understand the legal ->St.
Paul fire destroys buildings, displaces businesses <<< Star Tribune---A fire early Saturday destroyed two
buildings and displaced at least five Hmong-owned businesses -- including the Hmong Times
newspaper -- on University Avenue in St. Paul. More than 60 firefighters battled the blaze
at 381 and 385½ W. University Av. throughout the day. |
Le
5 Mars 2001 |
->Lao
communists gather for key congress
<<< AFP/Dow Jones---Lao officals gathered here amid tight security Monday for a
congress of the ruling communist party that is expected to usher in major changes in the
leadership and strengthen the growing influence of neighbouring China.
-> Economic
issues to top agenda at Lao communist party congress <<< Deutsche Presse-Agentur/Dow Jones---Chaisomparn
Proviharn, economics minister to the prime minister's office, said economic topics would
dominate the congress expected to be held sometime this month. He also said the communist
party had already made
-> AusAID
to audit Laos banks <<<
Australian Financial Review---Australian auditors are not expecting too many surprises
when they audit Laos's three main banks to find out the extent of non-performing loans.
AusAID, which has already funded one audit of the weak Laotian banking
-> A youth programme with a
difference in Vientiane
<<< Bangkok Post---Vientiane youngsters will now have a chance to enjoy the
benefits of good health while mingling with their peer group. The Vientiane Wai Noum
Health and Activity Drop-In Centre will officially open this Thursday in ->Vientiane->Changements attendus au sein des
dirigeants lors du congrès du Pathet Lao --Le congrès du PPRL, parti unique
marxiste du Laos, devrait durer une dizaine de jours, a précisé un responsable
laotien sous le couvert de l'anonymat....(yahoo/afp 05/03/01) |
Le
6 Mars 2001 |
->Laos:
Official criticizes US human rights report <<< BBC News/Dow Jones---If the U.S. is so pious and perfect as
it always claims to be, why does it not help the Lao people heal the wounds of the war it
started in the past? US planes used to drop three million tons of bombs in Laos and those
bombs
-> Foreign
business succeeds in Laos <<< Vientiane Times---The company is
100% foreign owned. The original investment of US$ 480,000 has increased to over US$
1,280,000. The company imports parts from China to assemble and sell trucks, cars and
motorbikes in Laos. ->Lao
stock-market will mean massive growth <<< Vientiane Times---At a seminar designed to teach the Lao
financial sector about the stock market, one Central Bank official who declined to be
named, said that establishing a stock market would double the size of the Lao economy.
However, he said such a movement is far-off yet, "Laos cannot establish
->Japanese hands over
sanitation project <<< Lao
News Agency---JICA last week handed over water supply and sanitation facilities to village
authorities in Bokeo province. The facilities will help improve the people's living
conditions due to better access to water for household use
-> 25% off hands-on
Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam tours: March bargains from adventure center <<<
Budget Travel---For 15 days, 14 nights, you see Bangkok, overnight train travel to Chiang
Mai. You go through Chiang Khong, take a two-night slow boat trip on the Mekong River, see
the tiny and well-preserved city of Luang Prabang
-> Hmong
Times to publish in spite of fire <<< AP/Star Tribune---The editor and
co-publisher of the Hmong Times says the bimonthly newspaper will continue to publish in
spite of the fire that destroyed its offices. Cheu Lee spent Monday photographing the
rubble with a camera
-> Hmong Times still publishing
<<< Pioneer Planet---Hmong Times co-publisher and editor Cheu Lee had a personal
stake in his work "assignment'' Monday afternoon -- photographing the removal of the
rubble that until last weekend was the newspaper's home.
-> China
opens major port on Lancang River (Mekong River) <<< Asia Pulse/Yahoo!
Asia---Now, Simao has opened waterways with Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia. In recent years,
roads, a post office, a water treatment plant, and numerous farm markets have been built
at the port.
<-> From Vientiane Times
->Water
for world heritage town
-> A
healthy future
->NCCA
prepares for Brunei AIDS conference
->Building
schools for Lao silk
-> Lao
people praise the Party
->Business
benefits for Asian region
->2020
vision sees market farms
->Management
training for the future
->The
gentle art of Buddhist ordination
->Going
for a splash
-> From
Lao News Agency HERE |
Le
7 Mars 2001 |
| ->Secretive
Laos maintains strict silence over party congress <<< AFP/Dow Jones or APP/NineMSN---Laos's official
media maintained an absolute silence Wednesday as the ultrasecretive communist authorities
met to consider major changes in the country's leadership at a five-yearly party congress.
Top officials have been ->Mekong magic: Smiling dolphins,
myriad islands, waterfalls and colonial relics welcome visitors willing to make the trek <<< AP/Canoe Travel--A German backpacker
with braided, red-tinted hair and a Lao tourist, perched on a tree branch like a giant
parrot, gaze intensely from a rocky islet onto the vast, shimmering expanse of the Mekong
River.
->Laos promotes hydropower
development <<< Laos
NA---The three day workshop is supported by Project Lao/98/01, and is attended by 20
participants. The participants are to discuss science and technology issues relating to
the hydropower development. The trainees will also learn
<-> From Laos N A CLICK HERE
->Adolescent reproductive health project promoted
.-> Bokeo province stabilizes slash-and-burn
cultivation
.-> Japanese medical expert ends mission
->Education improvement in Khammouane province
->English language training course closed
->Certificate of merits to Sirisin co. in Saravane
province
->Savannakhet province: Kirloskar water pump repairing
center opens |
Le
8 Mars 2001 |
| -> Laos
said stopping on-arrival visas for tourists <<< Reuters/AOL---Communist Laos will from Friday suspend
issuing visas to foreigners who arrive in the landlocked country without prior permission,
diplomatic sources in the Laotian capital said. A foreign diplomat in Vientiane told
Reuters ->Music Review: The
charismatic music of the Lao
<<< Lan-Xang.com---What sets this recording apart is that all the music is
recorded in the field, apparently all in 1994 during David Fanshawe's ethnomusicological
trip to then-backwater (well, even more so than today!) Laos and Isan. As an
ethnomusicological resource, it is superb, featuring representative
->Viet and Lao
provinces boost economic cooperation
<<< Vietnam NA---Son La and Sayaboury have signed an economic cooperation
document for the 2001-2005 period. Under the document, Son La province will promote trade
in Sayaboury province's capital, expand goods exchange and help
-> Southeast
Asian regional partnership meeting on Red Cross concludes <<<
Xinhua NA---Dr. Peter Walker, head of Regional delegation for Southeast Asia, Bangkok,
told reporters the meeting had made good progress in the development of regional and
country-based assistance strategies, such as the way in which
->From Laos News Agency CLICK HERE
-> Lao-Thai cooperation and friendship relation
-> Japanese presents digital water measuring equipment
->Saravane province: Local handicraft skills promoted
->COOPERATION ENTRE LES PROVINCES DE SON LA ET
SAYABOURY---Un aide-mémoire sur la coopération socio-économique, de
sécurité et de défense a été signé récemment à Son La entre les dirigeants des
deux provinces de Son La du Vietnam et Sayaboury du Laos.VNA 08/03/01
->SOURCES
KPL du 08-09/03/01
->Inauguration du 1er
Centre de santé et de développement des jeunes
->Aide de
Phongsaly aux victimes vietnamiens du séisme ->Bolikhamxay :
Préparation pour la journée de vaccination
->Phongsaly :
construction et goudronnage d’une route entre Bounneua et Gno
->Laos-Thaïlande :
2ème rencontre bilatérale sur les relations
->Le Laos a établi
l’échange du commerce avec plus de 50 pays du monde
->Les femmes lao
célèbrent le 8 mars
->Bilan sur les
activités du Comité National Lao du Mékong en 2000 |
Le
9 Mars 2001 |
.Laos leadership comes
together: Congress to look to the future <<< Bangkok Post or backup---Finding
ways to boost its credibility and consolidate power will be the prime tasks of the Lao its
seventh, five-yearly congress in Vientiane soon. At the last congress in 1996, the ruling
party focussed on reinforcing its internal
-> Laos
students work for a drug-free future
<<< Vientiane Times---As the nation and the region is feeling the pressure of
rampant drug abuse among its youngsters, particularly with amphetamines, the Govt steps up
its efforts to defeat the problem of drug abuse. Childhood education has been
-> Aussie
uni’s vie for Laos students
<<< Vientiane Times---Lao students got a taste of Aussie student life on Tuesday
as representatives from 12 Ocker educational institutes visited Vientiane on a recruitment
drive. The one-day Australia Education Exhibition at the Novotel
-> Private
education in Laos leaps ahead
<<< Vientiane Times---In an educational milestone for Laos, a new private school
is giving students internationally recognised training. “This is the first time that
the Lao private education system has reached such high international standards,” said
-> Pres. of Sports Committee
receives ambassador of South Korea
<<<< Laos News Agency---Dr. Phouthong Sengakhom received South Korea's
Ambassador Chang Chul Kyoon. Dr. Phouthong talked to the ambassador on
socio-economic development in Lao PDR, particularly development in sports.
-> News Brief: Laos warning <<< Bangkok Post or backup---Tourists
visiting Laos have been warned not to violate local laws, after a spate of crimes
involving Thai people. Nan Governor Thanapong Jakkapak said the number of Thai inmates in
Lao jails was increasing.
-> Mekong River: Four nations to
sign accord on navigation
<<< Bangkok Post or backup---Survey
teams and the Harbour Department have identified 11 islets between Laos and Burma and one
islet between Thailand and Laos at Chiang Saen as unsafe for navigation. Laos has no
budget to clear the islets, while Burma
-> Bridge between two cultures <<< Pioneer Planet---The 5-year-old
attends HOPE Community Academy, a St. Paul charter school where most students are Hmong
and Hmong culture, by design, plays a role in the school's curriculum. "We want
diversity,'' Connie says.
-> Man
pleads guilty to driving getaway car in fatal shooting <<< Star Tribune---Thao Vue pleaded guilty to aiding
and abetting intentional second-degree murder. Under a plea agreement, Vue, who had been
facing a first-degree murder charge, will testify against codefendants Steven Yang, 16,
-> Malaysia
to push for ASEAN marketing programme <<< Asia Pulse/Yahoo! Asia---International Trade and Industry Minister
Rafidah Aziz said Thursday Malaysia will push for Asean's adoption of a regional marketing
programme during the Asean economic ministers' retreat in Cambodia in May.
-> From
Vientiane Times
>Lao-Thai
relations on the mend
> International
Women’s Day
> Lack
of phones miff women’s day well-wishers
> Disabled
should learn with other children: MoE
> The
changing face of workplace relations
> New
market in chattels
>Under
the handicrafts spotlight
>Big
increase in Golden Pages users
> Reforms
are good for business – and for the state
>Invitation
to a rural wedding
>National
Sports Committee enjoys Korean visit
->From Laos News Agency KPL CLICK HERE |
Le
10 Mars 2001 |
| Globalisation
forces Laos to seek new leadership (Reuters/MSNBC) ---Laos's ruling Communists
will bring a set of younger politicians and economists into the govt next week to help the
country meet the challenges of the 21st century, a senior govt official said on Saturday.
External political and economic changes have forced Laos to look for new leaders "Golden Triangle" states to
combat drugs trade (Yahoo!) ---"We are seeking to boost bilateral and
multilateral co-operation with ... Myanmar, China and Laos to solve the drugs
problem," Thai FM Surakiart Sathirathai told reporters on the sidelines of a
closed-door meeting |
Le
11 Mars 2001 |
| Laos
to restrict issuing of visas during party congress (Kyodo NS/AOL) ---Laos will impose restrictions on the issue of
visas to enter the country during the three-day ruling communist party congress this week,
an immigration officer said Sunday. Immigration officers on Sunday issued Australia warns travellers to Laos
ahead of party congress (Australian BC) ---Australia has advised its citizens
to consider deferring travel plans to Laos. The advisory, by Australia's Dept of Foreign
Affairs and Trade, said Australian citizens should consider postponing holiday and normal
business travel until further notice. The Dept said those already
Tourism: Upgrade of checkpoint,
visas mooted for air link (Bangkok
Post) ---The issuance of visas on arrival in Nan and upgrading a border checkpoint with
Laos would be required to facilitate a proposed air link with Laos and Vietnam. While
supportive of the plan to connect Nan with Luang Prabang
->La relance de l'économie
au menu du congrès du Pathet Lao - La relance de l'économie moribonde du Laos
et le renforcement du parti figureront en bonne place des travaux du 7ème congrès du
Parti populaire révolutionnaire lao (PPRL, Pathet Lao - au pouvoir) qui s'ouvre lundi à
Vientiane et pourrait remodeler la direction du pays.VIENTIANE,
11 mars (AFP) |
Le
12 mars 2001 |
Lao leader acknowledges
failures (AP/Yahoo!) ---The president of Laos acknowledged his secretive
communist government's failings in managing the fragile market economy Monday, but
defended its monopoly on politics in this impoverished nation. He made the comments as
-> Lao
communist party limits members to 2 terms in gov't (Kyodo NS/AOL) ---The Lao
People's Revolutionary Party has set new rules barring members from staying in government
positions for more than two terms, or 10 years, a member of the party's powerful Politburo
said Monday. The tenures of
-> Laos
says tight communist grip best for growth (Reuters/AOL) --The ruling Communist
Party of landlocked Laos said on Monday its one-party system and central economic planning
were the best way to achieve its ambitious poverty eradication goals. At the start of a
three-day
-> Lao
communist party admits economic failure (Kyodo NS/AOL)--Party President Khamtay
Siphandone opened the session by submitting a political report to the congress that
criticized the party's failure to manage the economy in the past five years. GDP averaged
6.2% annually
-> Laos congress opens amid communist
pageantry (AFP/Yahoo!)--Laos' ageing communist leaders opened their five-yearly
congress Monday with vows to expand the party politburo and propel the impoverished nation
into the industrial age within two decades. In an opening ceremony that ->Lao ruling party set to open key
congress (The Nation or backup)---The
Lao People's Revolutionary Party is kicking off its seventh party congress today with the
aims of consolidating its rule and mapping out a strategy that will move the country
towards industrialisation. The three-day congress is also looking to increase the
numbers in its Politburo, the highest decision-making
->Lao
foreign policy aimed at improving external environments: party chief (Xinhua NA) ---The Lao foreign policy in the coming
years will be aimed at creating a favorable environment for the country's domestic tasks,
Khamtay Siphandone, president of Lao ruling party and the state, said here Monday.
-> Lao
ruling party chief on economic policy (Xinha NA)---The central task in Laos' economic development in the years ahead
is to shift from the nature-based economy to goods production economy by focusing on
agriculture development, Khamtay Siphandone, president of
-> Laos: Party mulls enlargement
of politburo (Bangkok Post) ---The Lao People's Revolutionary Party begins its
five-yearly congress today, with a plan to expand the politburo. Foreign Minister Somsavat
Lengsavad said yesterday the expansion had long been discussed by party members.
-> Laos says modernisation to triple
income by 2020 (Reuters/Yahoo!) ---Laos's ruling party plans to modernise the
economy, triple its people's income by 2020 and end opium production, the man tipped to be
the next prime minister said on Sunday. Industrialising the largely subsistence rural
-> Laos vows to boost
economy (Straits Times) ---"It
will set forth guidelines with the aim of moving the country from the status of
least-developed nation and move towards industrialisation," FM Somsavat Lengsavad
said. He said the party had resolved to build up its ranks with
-> Vientiane sees better ties with new
Thai govt (The Nation or backup)
---Lao Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad yesterday praised the new administration of
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying bilateral relations between the two countries
are expected to improve under the new
-> Viet General
Sec. hightlights important significance of Lao party congress (Vietnam NA)---
He described it as an event of great importance in the political life of Laos as it takes
place in the beginning of the 21st century. The Vietnamese leader, who was addressing the
congress on Mar. 12, said: "The political
-> Viet communist
party sends greets to Lao party congress (Vietnam NA) ---The message salutes the achievements recorded by the Lao Party,
State and people over the past 15 years in implementing a comprehensive reform programme.
The reform, it says, has ensured economic growth and political
-> Viet high-level
delegation attends Lao party congress (Vietnam NA)---Khamtay Siphandon welcomed the Vietnamese delegation, describing
their presence at the three-day Lao Party Congress, as a great encouragement for the Party
and people of Laos and a manifestation of the tradition of
-> Downer concerned over
handling of Danes case (Australian
BC News Online)---The Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, says he is not happy
with the way the case against two Australians accused over the disappearance of gems from
a Laotian company has been handled.
-> Downer slams Laos
over handling of Danes case
(AAP/News Limited) ---THE Laos Government's handling of two Australians suspected of jewel
theft was completely unsatisfactory, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today. Mr
Downer expressed concern for Kerry Danes and his wife Kay
-> Danes not charged on saphire
theft - lawyer (AAP/NineMSN or Here) ---An Australian
jailed in Laos for almost three months has not been charged or found guilty over an
alleged sapphire theft, his lawyer said. Ted Tzovaras, who visited Kerry Danes and his
wife Kay in Laos last Thursday, said
-> Downer maintains
Danes has not been charged (Australian
BC News Online)--The Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, has played down claims a Laos
Government inquiry has found that Australian Kerry Danes is guilty of offences related to
the disappearance of a stockpile of gems.
-> Australian
to face gems charges in Laos (AFP/Yahoo! Asia)---Australian SAS soldier Kerry
Danes will have to face court for alleged gems theft in Laos but a foreign affairs
spokesman denied Monday he had already been convicted. It was reported from Vientiane on
Sunday that a
-> Sentence yet to be
handed down in Danes' case
(Australian BC News Online)
A Queensland man in jail in Laos has been found guilty of criminal acts following the
disappearance of a stockpile of gems from the company he was employed to protect. Kerry
Danes and his wife Kay have been held in
-> Danes' lawyer
seeks out-of-court settlement (Australian BC News Online) --A lawyer
representing Australians Kerry and Kay Danes, jailed in Laos in connection with a business
scandal, is reportedly trying to reach an out-of-court settlement of the case. The Laotian
Foreign Minister has been
-> Lao gems inquiry finds
Danes guilty (The Age) ---A Lao investigation into the alleged criminal acts of
Australian Kerry Danes, imprisoned for the past three months in connection with a business
scandal, had found him guilty, the country's foreign minister said yesterday.
-> Lao government says Australian was
guilty over missing gems (Australian BC)---A Lao investigation into the alleged
criminal acts of Australian national Kerry Danes, imprisoned for the past three months in
connection with a business scandal, has found him guilty. Laotian Foreign Minister
Somsavat Lengsavat
-> Strangling
the Mekong (Newsweek)---Great civilizations have flourished along the banks of
the Mekong River. The Cambodian kings who once ruled most of Southeast Asia built their
glorious temples near the shores of the Tonle Sap lake, the Mekong’s pumping heart.
->LE KHA PHIEU
ASSISTE AU VIIe CONGRES DU PPRL--Sur l'invitation du Comité central du Parti populaire
révolutionnaire lao (PPRL), le secrétaire général Le Kha Phieu, à la tête d'une
délégation du Parti Communiste du Vietnam, est parti dimanche pour Vientiane, pour
assister au VIIe Congrès national du PPRL qui s'ouvre lundi.VNA 120301
->FELICITATIONS AU VIIe CONGRES DU PPRL--Le Vietnam s'engage à faire tout son possible pour défendre et
développer les relations d'amitié, de solidarité spéciale et de coopération
multiforme Vietnam-Laos.VNA 120301
->Le Pathet Lao souhaite
l'intégration du Laos à l'ère industrielle (AFP)-- -
Les responsables laotiens ont appelé à l'intégration du Laos à l'ère
industrielle, sous les portraits de Marx et de Lénine, lors de l'ouverture officielle
lundi à Vientiane du 7e congrès Parti populaire révolutionnaire Lao (PPRL, Pathet Lao -
au pouvoir).VIENTIANE, 12 mars (AFP)
|
Le
13 Mars 2001 |
->Laos: 20 years to drag a
nation into the modern world
<<< Sydney Morning Herald---Laos's aging communist leaders opened their
five-yearly congress yesterday with vows to expand the party politburo and propel the
impoverished nation into the industrial age within two decades.
-> Detained Australians may
be free next week, says lawyer
<<< Sydney Morning Herald---A lawyer representing an Australian couple held in
Laos in connection with an alleged gem smuggling operation is optimistic the pair could be
freed as early as next week. Mr Ted Tzovaris, a Sydney lawyer who spent last week ->Le Pathet Lao reçoit l'appui des
partis frères (AFP)--- Les dirigeants du Laos socialiste
ont reçu le soutien de la Chine, de la Corée du nord et du Vietnam, qui ont loué leur
maintien du communisme et leurs efforts de développement basé sur les réformes
économiques, au deuxième jour mardi du 7ème congrès du Parti populaire
révolutionnaire Lao (PPRL, Pathet Lao - au pouvoir).VIENTIANE,
13 mars (AFP) |
Le
14 Mars 2001 |
->Music review: Where are the bubbles?
(Lan-Xang.com)--Lao music makes two appearances on this CD. The first is in the form of a
khene solo, "Wind in the Coconut Trees." Also known by several other names, it's
a common tune, and not particularly demanding.
-> IMF
doubts Laos can make quick leap from poverty (Reuters/AOL)---The IMF said that plans
by communist Laos to shake off its least developed country status by 2020 were ambitious
and would be very difficult to achieve. But Eric Sidgwick, the IMF resident representative
to Laos, praised
-> Laos
Politburo adds 3 new faces but veterans retained (AP/Yahoo! Asia or AP/Yahoo!)---Laos's
ruling communist party added three new faces into its powerful Politburo, but in a sign
the old guard has retrenched power, retained its top eight leaders. Siphandone was
re-elected as party chief at the close of 7th
->Little
change at the top for Laos (CNN)
---The World Bank estimated its per capita income at $280 per day in 1999 -- less than a
dollar a day -- and the UN's Development Programme ranks Laos 140 of 174 countries in
terms of education, healthcare, gender equity
->Laos
congress ends with few changes (BBC News)---The ruling Communist party in Laos has
ended a three-day party congress with the introduction of some younger members into its
leadership. But correspondents say the changes fall short of a major reshuffle
-> Laos'
communist leaders announce new politburo line-up (AFP/Yahoo! Asia)---Laos' communist
rulers announced a newly expanded politburo line-up at the conclusion of their five-yearly
congress Wednesday but held back from unveiling a widely expected leadership reshuffle.
-> Old guard
in charge after Laos communist meet (Reuters/MSNBC)---A three-day
meeting of Laos' ruling communist party ended on Wednesday with little change in its top
ranks and President Khamtay Siphandone, 77, kept his grip on the leadership. But younger
party members were added to
-> Lao communist
party adds 3 new faces to Politburo (Kyodo NS/AOL or backup)---The
Lao PRP on Wed. wrapped up its congress and appointed three younger members to the
powerful Politburo and 12 new members to the Central Committee -- bodies both dominated by
aging cadres.
-> Laos
government confesses (Business Day)---The secretive communist Laotian govt said it had
mismanaged the economy over the past five years, triggering hyperinflation and a tumbling
currency. But the financial authorities vowed to improve fiscal discipline to fulfil their
-> Pursuing
the renovation policy and focusing on the next 5-years plan (Laos News Agency)---In
building the new regime over the past 25 years and implementing the renovation policy for
over the past 15 years, we clearly see that, despite many difficulties, our potential and
position are stronger than just after
-> Strategies,
goals & target figures of the social-economic development for 2001-2020 (Laos News
Agency) ---The socio-economic development from now to 2005 is to ensure continued social
tranquillity and political stability, to allow a sustained economic growth, to solve
poverty problems for more than a half of the poverty
-> Laos
congress to end after three days of communist triumphalism (AFP/Yahoo! Asia)---Laos'
communist leaders prepared Wednesday to wrap up their five-yearly congress which
introduced a wide-ranging development plan to modernise Laos and expand the ranks of the
ruling party. The top leadership were to
-> Lao
Party Congress faces stiff challenges (The Nation)---Economic failure, security
threats, growing corruption and a disgruntled bureaucracy form the background to the 7th
Party Congress in Laos. During the last 25 years, the rule of the Lao PRP has been
uninterrupted
-> Laos
'unable to meet needs' (The Nation)---A senior Lao finance official admitted yesterday
that Laos lacked the skilled personnel and other requirements to mobilise sufficient funds
and foreign investment to meet the country's economic needs.
-> Laotian
term limits to pave way for new blood (The Nation)---The Lao PRP is introducing a new
rule that will limit the tenure of its members holding administrative posts in government
ministries and other agencies to no more than two terms, or 10 years. A report presented
says
-> Jiang
congratulates re-elected President of Lao PRP (Xinhua NA)---Jiang said that he is very
glad to witness the new achievements and victories gained by Lao people during their
renovation, opening-up and state-construction course under the leadership of the Lao
party, since
-> 7th
Congress of Lao PRP closes (Xinhua NA) ---"The congress approved several
important issues meaningful for the destiny for our nation, as we have ushered into the
21st century and the new millennium," said Khamtay Siphandone,who was re-elected to
his third term
-> Delegation
leaders of CPC, PPC meet in Vientiane (Xinhua NA)---Luo Gan, leader of visiting
delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met Heng Samrin, leader of the delegation
of the People's Party of Cambodia (PPC) on the sideline of the 7th Congress of the Lao
PRP.
-> Laos ambassador
denies guilty verdict reports (Australian BC News Online) ---Australia's ambassador to
Laos, Jonathan Thwaites, says reports that an Australian man being held on gem theft has
been found guilty are wrong. Mr Thwaites says reports quoting the FM of Laos are a
misquote.
-> Danes
faces seven years in jail over gems charges: ambassador (AFP/Yahoo! Asia) ---Security
firm operator Kerry Danes faces up to seven years in jail if he is found guilty. However,
Thwaites said reports quoting Laotian FM Somsavat Lengsavad as saying Danes had already
been found guilty were wrong.
|
Le
15 Mars 2001 |
->IMF
poised to resume lending to Laos with $40 mln loan (AP/Yahoo! Asia)
The IMF is ready to resume assistance to Laos after a five-year hiatus, with a $40 million
loan over three years to shore up official reserves. The IMF had withheld assistance since
1996 as it didn't agree with govt policies that ->IMF
says Laos package due for April board approval (Reuters/AOL)--The IMF said it expected to approve a new 3-year
$40-45 million loan for communist Laos next month. Eric Sidgwick, the IMF's resident rep.
in Laos, told Reuters the IMF and the Laotian govt were about to finalise talks on the new
lending
->Laos:
Old guard retains hold on politburo
(Bangkok Post)--The communist old guard remains firmly in control in Laos with only three
new faces in the expanded 11-member politburo unveiled yesterday at the closing of the
seventh congress. The eight others are veterans of Lao PRP
-> Newer,
younger faces on Laotian Central Committee (The Nation)--The Lao PRP, which ended its
7th congress here yesterday, did not reshuffle its ruling Politburo but added four more
cadres to the Central Committee, giving it a younger look in the process.
-> Resolution of 7th party
congress (Laos News Agency or backup)--The
three-day 7th Congress of the Lao PRP wound up with a resolution aiming at graduating from
the least developed countries (LDC) status and becoming one with firm political stability,
peace and social order by 2020.
-> Lao party
congress paves way for comprehensive development (Vietnam NA)--The paper further says
that in the spirit of frankness, the Congress pointed to difficulties and challenges ahead
as well as weaknesses in managing the national economy in the recent past. It defined
orientations and measures
-> Briefing:
Jury selection continues in Heu homicide trial (Pioneer Planet)--Seven jurors had been
selected and several potential jurors excused for reasons that included racist statements
they made on questionnaires. Heu, who is Hmong, has been indicted on first-degree murder
charges stemming
-> From Laos News Agency
->Election result of the 7th party congress
->Remote area health center construction project
-> New people's court president of Khammouane province appointed
->Borikhamsay province: Malaria prevention equipment |
Le
16 mars 2001 |
->Secretive
Laos needs openness to boost growth (Reuters/AOL) ---Enigmatic Laos has
unveiled ambitious plans to drag itself out of poverty but this goal may remain just a
dream unless it adopts more market-friendly economic policies and enforces the rule of
law. Economists and diplomats
-> For Laos, it's
steady as she goes (Asia Times) --Laos has opted to stay with its ruling team
to achieve its goal of moving from a least-developed nation to an industrialized one,
which to start with will require an annual growth rate of 7 percent for the next five
years.
-> Changes
in the Lao Politburo: Thailand looks for friendly faces (Bangkok Post)---The
continued presence of Lao PM Sisavath Keobounphanh in the politburo line-up should be good
news for Thailand. His friendship with a senior Thai minister could help solve difficult
bilateral issues. But he might not survive ->The
Vientiane old guard still on top (The Nation) ---The much-heralded congress of
the Lao PRP ended with a new politburo line-up. High expectations that the party would
become more pro-active and engaged have proven to be false as the old guard are still the
old guard, and they are not going to step down any time soon.
->Largest
mining project in Laos set to proceed (Vientiane Times)---In a promising example of the way Laos’ abundant
natural resources can be put to good use, Australian mining company, Oxiana Resources, is
set to develop a large gold and copper mine in the north-east of Savannakhet
-> Village
thrives on dyeing industry by barking up the right tree (Vientiane Times) ---Villagers in Phol-ngeun are doing well out
of a dyeing trade, dyeing that is. The village has discovered a new way to dye silk, which
has so impressed customers that the handicrafts collective is training other villages
-> Students
key to saving lives in natural disasters (Vientiane Times) ---Teaching students and teachers how to act during a civil
defence emergency could save many lives according to NDMO officials. Nationwide education
programme is needed in order to prepare the country for disaster
-> French aid: irrigation
development (Laos News Agency or backup) ---This
grant totaling 34,1 million Euro (abouut 31,4 million US dollars) is AFD’s
commitments to Laos. The grant is to finance the “Decentralized Irrigation
Development and Management Sector Project”.
-> Canada supports education
material primary teacher training project (Laos News Agency or backup)---The
Canadian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Bernard Giroux, announced Canada’s support for a
US$ 11,516 education material primary teacher training project for rural teachers from
cluster schools in all 16 provinces
-> ASEAN nations enjoy fruits of booming
global tourism (Asia Times)
---Southeast Asia is becoming one of the world's favorite tourism destinations. It
constitutes a region of nearly 500 million people, ranging from some of the richest in the
world, such as Bruneians, to the poorest, including the Laotians
-> From
Vientiane Times
--> Drop-in
centre offers the hope to youth
--> Social
and cultural conditions for a market economy
--> Party
amends its statute
--> Foreign
Political Parties congratulate 7th Congress
--> Luang
Namtha conservation project finally gets go-ahead
--> Welcoming
in the wet season
--> A
treat for the squalid in Houaphan
--> Sports:
Chinese association team grins in badminton
-> From Laos News Agency(KPL) |
Le
17 Mars 2001 |
->Change in Laos glacial, but old
guard stays put (The Nation) ---For
the past 3 years or so since the regionwide crisis hit the landlocked country, the
international community has tightened the screws on Vientiane, becoming increasingly vocal
in its calls for political reform and market-friendly policy
->->LA DELEGATION DU
PCV QUITTE VIENTIANE APRES LE 7e CONGRES DU PPR LAO--Le 7e Congrès
du Parti populaire révolutionnaire lao (PPRL) est couronné de succès avec l'élection
de son nouveau Comité central pour faire progresser l'oeuvre révolutionnaire du Laos, a
affirmé jeudi à Vientiane M. Nguyen Manh Cam, membre du BP du CC du PCV, vice-Premier
ministre.VNA 17/03/01
->FELICIATIONS A M. KHAMTAY SIPHANDONE---Le secrétaire général du PCV Le Kha Phieu a envoyé mercredi ses
félicitations à M. Khamtay Siphandone, qui vient d'être réélu président du CC du
PPRL.VNA 17/03/01 |
Le
18 Mars 2001 |
| ->Thailand,
Laos sign agreement to build bridge over Mekong (Kyodo NS/AOL)--Thailand and Laos
singed an agreement on Sunday to build their 2nd bridge over the Mekong River...With
financing proposed by the Japan BIC, the $45 million bridge will link Mukdahan prov. of
Thailand and Savannakhet of Laos ->American textile designer rekindles Laotian tradition and opens a
market (AFPYahoo! Asia)
A Laotian traditional folk art that had nearly been wiped out during a century of
imperialism and warfare has made a comeback as a lucrative enterprise in this poor and
dusty capital city. In the shade of a stately French villa in the center of town, Laotian
weavers sit at wooden hand looms, meticulously threading strands of silk in age-old
patterns for tapestries that can take months
->Chinese communist
delegation leaves Laos (People's Daily)
A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Luo Gan, member of the
Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, left in Vientiane Saturday morning after
ending a week-long visit to the country. |
Le
19 Mars 2001 |
| ->Second
Mekong bridge to link Thailand and Laos (AP/Yahoo! Asia)--Thailand and Laos have
agreed to build a bridge across the Mekong River, the 2nd span linking the two countries.
Construction of the 3.2 billion baht bridge, linking Mukdahan in northeastern Thailand
with Savannakhet in Laos ->Thai-Lao
relations: Another bridge over Mekong (Bangkok Post)---A 2nd
Thailand-Laos friendship bridge is to be built across the Mekong river. The
3.2-billion-baht construction of the bridge in Mukdahan opposite Kanthaburi in Laos, will
begin next year and is expected to be completed in 2005. The cost will be borne equally by
Thailand and Laos
->Thailand
and Laos to build bridge (BBC News) ---Thailand and Laos have signed an agreement to
improve regional trade links by constructing a second bridge across the Mekong river. The
Thai communications ministry said the bridge would not only link Thailand & Laos
-> Thailand,
Lao to build second bridge across Mekong River (Xinhua NA)---The 3.2-billion-baht (US$
74.4 million) construction of the bridge in Thailand's Mukdahan in the northeast opposite
Savannakhet province in Laos, will begin next year and is expected to be completed in
2005.
-> Strangling
the Mekong (Newsweek)---Tiny Laos has not shied away from these massive projects. Some
35 % of the Lower Mekong’s volume comes from tributaries in Laos, & development
officials once pictured the country, whose 5.4 million people have a per
-> Young Tao,
Hmong minister, dies at age 60 (Star Tribune) ---Each May, Tao held a special service
for his congregation to celebrate the escape from his homeland of Laos after the Communist
takeover in 1975. Patrick Tao said his father would inevitably recite his favorite passage
-> ASEAN
invites 5 nuclear powers for nuke talks (Kyodo NS/AOL)---The 10-nation ASEAN has
decided to invite five nuclear powers that are permanent members of the U.N. Security
Council -- China, Russia, France, Britain, and the United States -- to a direct
negotiation in May in Hanoi
->BIENTOT
UN DEUXIEME PONT SUR LE MEKONG --La Thaïlande et le Laos viennent de signer
un accord pour construire un deuxième pont sur le Mékong (...) Le
Moniteur 19/03/01
->Fin de la visite
au Laos de la délégation du PCC --Fin de la visite au Laos
de la délégation du PCC Une délégation du Parti communiste chinois (PCC), dirigée par
Luo Gan, membre du bureau politique du comité central du PCC, a quitté Vientiane samedi
17 mars matin, au terme d'une visite de sept jours au Laos. M. Luo et son
entourage ont été salués à ...Peopledaily
19.03.2001 |
Le
20 Mars 2001 |
| ->Feature:
Laos proves elusive Shangri-La for private sector (Deutsche Presse-Agentur)---Like
many foreign investors attracted to Laos after the communist country opened its doors to
private sector investments, Hodgson ran up against the government's "attitude
problem", which has made Laos the lost Shangri-La ->Book
Review: The best book on Lao food (Lan-Xang.com)---Traditional Recipes
of Laos, the first book entirely devoted to Lao cookery, was published in 1981. As the
first of its kind, it bore the simple but difficult burden of being informative, accurate
and aesthetic. By all means the book fulfilled its requirements, and has since been a
valued part of many libraries.
->Communist
Laos to select new cabinet next week (Reuters/AOL)---Legislators in Communist Laos
plan to meet early next week to select a new cabinet and possibly a new president. The
National Assembly sources said the leadership of the ruling Lao PRP had not yet agreed on
the new lineup.
-> Seminar: Laos, Japan
& Singapore promote trade & investment through IT (Laos News Agency or backup)---A
seminar on promoting trade and investment through information technology (IT) was held on
March 20-21. The Ministry of FA of Singapore and Japan ICA in collaboration with the
Ministry of C&T of Laos jointly
-> Japanese govt supports
Luang Prabang Museum (Laos News Agency or backup)---The
Japanese Government last week presented a consignment of aid worth 30,2 million yens to
the Luang Prabang Museum. The aid include six sets of temperature adjustment machines,
document storing units, safe units |
Le
21 Mars 2001 |
| ->Thailand,
Laos, Cambodia strengthen air links (Kyodo
NS/AOL) --Thailand, Laos and Cambodia
will create more air links between themselves and open an upgraded Luang Prabang airport
in northern Laos, Thai Department of Aviation Deputy Director General Chaisak Angkasuwan
said ->Better air links with Laos, Cambodia (Bangkok
Post)--The Thai-sponsored Luang Prabang
airport opens in time for the Songkran festival next month. The TC Ministry has allowed
Lao Aviation airline to run two flights a week between Luang Prabang and Nan province. Lao
Transport Minister Phao Bounnaphon said the airport would be capable of serving Boeing
737-400s and benefit both Thailand and Laos.
->Air
link between Thailand and neighboring countries improves (Xinhua NA)--Air
transportation between Thailand and its neighboringcountries, such as Cambodia and Laos,
is improving, with new air routes being launched and a new airport to be open, the Nation
Channel reported Wednesday.
-> Seminar on reducing electricity
loss on transmission lines (Laos
News Agency or backup)--A
two day seminar on reduction of energy loss on electric grids in Laos is being held here
by the of Japan ICA in co-operation with the Electricite du Laos. The seminar attracts the
attention of EDL personnel from Vientiane
-> Bangkok Airways aims to
link heritage cities (Bangkok Post)--A route linking Sukhothai with Luang
Prabang in Laos is expected to be in service by the end of this year. The company's
Cambodian-based sister airline, Siem Reap Airline, also planned a route from Siem Reap
->Stories
from KPL |
Le
22 Mars 2001 |
->Border: Upgrade for roads in
economic drive (Bangkok Post)--The
targeted route in Chiang Rai stretches from Mae Sai via Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong to
Mae Chan. It leads to Laos' Ban Huay Sai, Vieng Phoukha and Luang Namtha and further to
China's Muang La & Jinghong.
-> New
Taiwan envoy to pitch for closer ties with ASEAN (Asia Pulse/Yahoo! Asia)--New Taiwan representative to Malaysia
Huang Yen-chao said Wednesday he will do his utmost to push for closer relations with the
Association for Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] after assuming his new post.->FELICITATIONS AU PARTI POPULAIRE REVOLUTIONNAIRE LAO--Le Comité central du Parti communiste du Vietnam a envoyé un message de
félicitations au Comité central du Parti populaire révolutionnaire lao (PPRL) à
l'occasion d u 46e anniversaire de ce Parti (22 mars). VNA
22/03/01 |
Le
23 mars 2001 |
->Kono,
Somsavat discuss Laotian plans for market economy (Kyodo NS/AOL) --Japan welcomes plans by Laos to convert to a
market economy, FM Yohei Kono indicated to FM Somsavat Lengsavat. Somsavat explained the
Lao PRP decided last week to promote the conversion to a market economy
-> Laos to
convene parliament... (Kyodo
NS/AOL) --The Lao National Assembly is expected to convene from Tuesday until April 10 to
select new cabinet members under the guidelines mapped out in last week's congress of the
ruling communist party, an assembly official said
-> Communist Laos may
get new PM (Reuters/ABC News or Reuters/MSNBC)--Laos
looks set to get a new prime minister in a cabinet reshuffle when the country's National
Assembly begins its twice-yearly session next week, Laotian Communist party sources said
on Friday. ->Greed and power play
prolong Australians' jail nightmare (The Age) --The night spent locked in
separate, cramped cells in Vientiane Detention Centre, sleeping on thin mattresses on
concrete floors, will give way to an even longer day waiting in the hope that their ordeal
may be drawing to an end. They will enjoy the small luxury of a meal brought in from a
local
->No sign of
early release for Danes (Australian BC News Online) --An Australian couple held
in Laos on suspicion of stealing sapphires has completed 90 days in detention, with no
sign of an early release. Jonathan Thwaites says Danes are still in jail in the Laotian
capital Vientiane
-> Mekong
River: Four-nation bid to boost navigation (Bangkok Post)--Officials of
Thailand, Burma, Laos and China are surveying the Mekong River in a joint initiative to
improve navigation and assess the environmental impact. Officials started their research
by cruising downstream from
-> From
Laos News Agency
->Fire in Bokeo province
->Embankment project in Khammouane province
->Office equipment for department of mass culture
->"Promotion of forestry education project"
->New hospital opens service to the public in Oudomsay province
->46th anniversary of Lao Party celebrated
->Congratulations from Jiang Zemin to Khatay Siphandone
->Installation of FM radio & TV transmission instruments for Luang Namtha province |
Le
24 Mars 2001 |
| ->Laos's ruling elite sets
course: forward into the past
(Sydney Morning Herald)--The brothers have long departed, the party's party having wound
up more than a week ago, but the Lao revolutionaries are still savouring the afterglow.
Along the road into town and in the dusty main streets of this frontier capital |
Le
25 Mars 2001 |
->Aging communists lead
Laos back to the future (AP/Excite
or AP/Fox News)--Amid the
applause, the aging leadership of Laos reappointed itself at the five-yearly party
congress in mid-March, offering no hope of political opening and little optimism for its
stagnant economy.
-> Lao
assembly to vote on Cabinet next week (The Nation)--LAO lawmakers will gather
in the NA next week to approve nominees for the next Cabinet and debate two draft laws
governing public health and telecommunications, a source said. Siphandone will retain his
presidency. |
Le
26 Mars 2001 |
->Aging Communists maintain power in
Laos (AFP/Australian BC)---The aging leadership of Laos has reappointed itself
at the five-yearly party congress in mid-March. They offered no hope of political opening
and little optimism for its stagnant economy. The eight most senior cadres retained
-> U.S. govt supports UXO Laos
(Laos NA) ---The United States Charge d'Affairs Karen Stewart on March 26,
presided at a ceremony marking the turnover of $682,000 in U.S. Government funds to the
UNDP administered Lao Trust Fund to support clearance of unexploded
-> Entrepreneur
Kou Vang hopes to help other Hmong residents (Star Tribune) ---Kou Vang
hopes his success in the business world will be a beacon to other Hmong residents of the
Twin Cities area. Vang, 33, spent his youth in a refugee camp in Thailand and came to
Minnesota in 1987 with a thirst
-> From Laos NA(KL)
->Luang Prabang steps up market-oriented handicraft production
->FM Lengsavad attends East Asia & Latin America mininsterial meeting
->Draft socio-economic devt action plan till 2010
->Govt's monthly meeting chaired by PM Keobounphanh |
Le
27 Mars 2001 |
-> New
Lao new premier faces heavy economic difficulties (Kyodo NS/AOL)--Tuesday's decision by the ruling Lao People's
Revolutionary Party to put former Finance Minister Boungnang Vorachit at the helm as prime
minister is an attempt by the party to steer the country out of poverty, analysts said.
->Laos gets new prime
minister (AP/Yahoo!)--Finance Minister Bounnyang Vorachit was named prime
minister of Laos on Tuesday as part of a Cabinet shuffle endorsed by parliament. President
Khamtay Siphandone, 77, chief of the ruling Lao PRP and the most powerful official in
government, retained his position as head of state. Bounnyang replaces Sisavat
Keobounphanh, who had been prime minister of Laos
->Laos gets new prime
minister (AP/Yahoo!)--Finance Minister Bounnyang Vorachit was named prime
minister of Laos on Tuesday as part of a Cabinet shuffle endorsed by parliament. President
Khamtay Siphandone, 77, retained his position as head of state.
->Laos
shuffles cabinet in party faction compromise (Reuters/AOL)--Laotian Deputy
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bounnyang Vorachit was unanimously elected prime
minister by the single-party parliament on Tuesday, replacing outgoing premier Sisavath
Keobounphanh.->La
nomination de Boungnang Vorachit marque un rapprochement avec la Chine --
La nomination mardi de Boungnang Vorachit au poste de Premier ministre du Laos
en remplacement de Sisavath Keobounphanh marque un rapprochement de Vientiane avec la
Chine, selon les diplomates et analystes de la capitale laotienne-HANOI, 27 mars (AFP) - |
Le
| |
