Statement of

Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the United Nations
at the annual meeting of the Special Committee on Peace Keeping Operations

New York, April 11, 1997.

Mr. Chairman,

On this note, my delegation very much welcomes the opportunity of addressing this Committee and of engaging in an exchange of views on all aspects pertaining to Peace keeping operations, one of the most important tools at the disposal of the UN in the field of the maintenance of international peace and security. You may be assured, Mr. Chairman, of my delegation serious commitment to peacekeeping, and its continued support as you discharge your responsibilities.

Mr. Chairman,

While my delegation fully supports the statement of the distinguished Representative of Thailand, made on behalf of NAM countries, I wish to address some issues that are of specific concern to my delegation. First and foremost, we are still convinced that in order to have smooth and successful operations, all PKOs should strictly abide by the principles and purposes enshrined in the Charter of the UN, particularly the principles of full respect of national independence and sovereign equality of all States, their territorial integrity, and non-intervention in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State. Moreover, Peacekeeping operations should not be a preferred method of containing conflicts, and therefore, every effort should be made to seek early resolution of the conflicts by exploiting different peaceful measures such as preventive diplomacy and peace-making.

Mr. Chairman,

The Special Committee is meeting at a time when important changes are occurring in the area of Peace keeping operations, ranging from traditional Peace keeping operations to more complex and multifaceted operations. Efforts are being made to improve and strengthen Peace-keeping Operations. In that regard, we have noted various proposals put forward including the one aimed at strengthening the capability for rapid deployment and establishing a Rapidly Deployable Mission Headquarters element within DPKO. From our point of view, these proposals need to be carefully examined, given the complexity of its political , legal, practical and, particularly, financial implications. We should not really rush. A thorough analysis of all its aspects is required before we jump to any conclusion.

Mr. Chairman,

Therefore, we believe that recruitment of personnel in various UN Departments and operations should truly reflect the principle of equitable geographical representation. Any recruitment procedures that lead to the distortion of this principle ought to be avoided.

Mr. Chairman,

STATEMENT
BY
H.E.MR. ALOUNKEO KITTIKHOUN,
AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE GENERAL DEBATE IN THE FIRST COMMITTEE
ON DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
5IST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

NEW YORK, 21st OCTOBER 1996 

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N.8 T-1stCOM 96

Mr. Chairman,

  On behalf of the delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, I wish

to congratulate you warmly on your election as Chairman of the First Committee of the 51st Session of the General Assembly. Aware as we are, of your rich diplomatic experiences and skills, I am confident that you will conduct our work to a successful conclusion. 

I would also like to avail this opportunity to convey, through you, my deep appreciation to your predecessor, H.E. Mr. L. Erdenechuluun, former Permanent Representative of Mongolia, for his able stewardship of our Committee last year. 

Mr. Chairman,

  The recent adoption of the CTBT by the 50th General Assembly was an important event in the United Nations history in the field of disarmament. Quite naturally, like many other developing countries, we regret that the Treaty did not include the specific bound timeframe for the total elimination of all nuclear weapons at the global level. We nevertheless decided to join the world community in adopting the said Treaty because we regarded such an adoption as an important step towards a gradual achievement of nuclear disarmament. Despite its imperfection, to our opinion, CTBT if rigorously implemented would help prevent the nuclear weapon States from upgrading their nuclear arsenals and the non-nuclear weapons States from acquiring them. This is how we believe, nuclear disarmament can be gradually achieved.

  International peace and security, nowadays, seem to be assured and strengthened as nuclear weapon free zones are established by regional States concerned. The Bangkok Treaty signed on December 15, 1995, declaring south East Asia as a nuclear weapon free zone, the Pelindaba Treaty signed on April 11, 1996 creating a nuclear free zone in Africa, the Treaties of Tlalelolco and Rarotonga establishing nuclear weapon free zones respectively in Latin America and the Caribbean and the South Pacific are cases in point. The establishment of such nuclear weapon free zones demonstrate the genuine aspiration of the peoples of the regions concerned to be free of nuclear threat or annihilation. This positive trend deserves our full encouragement and support. 

The Canberra Commission on the Elimination of nuclear weapons is an important body which could draw the attention of the international Community to nuclear issue. We look forward, in the years ahead, to studying its recommendations aimed at the achievement of its ultimate goal: the total elimination of nuclear weapons. 

Mr. Chairman,

  The delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic regards the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice concerning the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons as an important contribution to the world community effort to maintaining international peace and security. By pronouncing unanimously that there is an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion the negotiation leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control, the International Court of Justice gave a strong signal that it is about time that we all do what we can to get our planet rid of nuclear weapons and thereby save all humankind from nuclear holocaust. 

Mr. Chairman,

  While examining the issue of peace and disarmament, it is necessary to recognize the roles played by the UN Regional Centers for peace and disarmament. They are playing a valuable role in efforts to promote regional arms control as well as to build confidence and trust among countries in the respective regions. In this respect, my delegation is very much supportive of the initiatives, programmes and activities for peace and disarmament provided by the UN Regional Centre for peace and disarmament in Asia and Pacific with its headquarters in Katmandu, Nepal.

Mr. Chairman, 

The Lao People's Democratic Republic supports the efforts made by the international community to minimize the use of inhumane and injurious weapons including the anti-personnel land mines. As victim of the unexploded ordnance left over by a 30 years long war of independence, our country is fully aware of the grave and disastrous consequences these destructive weapons can cause. In an effort to cope with this problem, the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, together with the UNDP and UNICEF, have established on August 1, 1995, a Trust Fund for clearance of unexploded ordnance. A National Programme on the subject has been initiated and is now being implemented, the objective of which is to reduce the number of civilian casualties and increase the amount of land available for food production as well as for other development activities. 

Since the establishment of the Fund, the contributions received and pledged, in cash and in-kind, have been made by friendly Governments and international Organizations i.e. Australia, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, UK, USA, UNDP and UNICEF, to which I, on behalf of the Lao Government and people, would like to seize this opportunity to express our thanks and sincere gratitude. It is our hope that other countries, international organisations and NGOs would also contribute financially to this Fund.

As our country now enjoys peace and political stability, the land once cleared,  will remain cleared. Our national clearance Programme seems ambitious, but with the support and cooperation of the world community, it is our belief that it can be set in motion and translated into reality.

Thank you.

DECLARATION
BY
Mr. THONGKHOUN SENGPHACHANH,
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LAO PEOPLE'S
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC AT THE 1996 UNITED NATIONS

NEW YORK, 5 NOVEMBER 1996

Mr. President, 

At the outset, I wish to associate myself with the previous speakers in congratulating you on your election as President of this important Conference. My appreciation also goes to other members of the Bureau for their well deserved elections to their respective posts.

  True to its foreign policy of peace, friendship and international cooperation, the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic attaches great importance to international multilateral cooperation. It has always been our resolve and willingness to contribute regularly, although modestly, to the United Nations activities for development. 

This year, again, our country has endured heavy flood that has caused a lot of damages to our economic infrastructure. However, we will do our utmost to maintain our contributions for the year 1997 at the same level as announced last year: 

(1) UNDP .................................21.168 US$

(2) UNCDF .................................1.500 US$

(3) UNICEF.................................5.000 US$

(4) UNFPA .................................1.000 US$

5. Fund of UN Drug Control

Programme..............................1.000 US$

(6) UNEP .................................2.000 US$

Thank you, Mr. President.

STATEMENT
BY
H.E. Mr. ALOUNKEO KITTIKHOUN,
AMBASSADORPERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICTO THE UNITED NATIONS
IN THE BRIEFING ON UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE IN LAOS

NEW YORK, 9 DECEMBER 1996

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N. 8 UNEXPLOD 96

Dear Friends and colleagues,

  Let me at the outset sincerely thank our good friend Mr. Nay Htun, the regional Director of UNDP and all UNDP staff in New York for taking so much trouble in helping us organise this very important briefing. I also thank Mr. Stephen Brown, the acting-regional Director of UNDP and our long-time friend and colleague, Mr. Jan Mattsson, the UNDP resident representative in Vientiane for being here with us. Last but not least, I thank all the distinguished participants for their attendance. The presence of you all here today is a strong encouragement to us. Thank you, thank you all indeed.

  I already spoke at length in the Plenary session of the General Assembly on 5 December 1996 on this issue "the unexploded ordnance in Laos" when the item entitled: "assistance in mine-clearance was considered". Many of you might have been present there when I made my statement, I would therefore refrain from reading it again because I am afraid that it may bore you.

  Now, if you allow me, I wish only to say three things, regarding this problem: 

- First, how Laos became victim of the unexploded ordnance.

- Second, right after the end of the war in 1975, how did we try to cope with the problem?

- Third, what is the present situation, how serious it is, how do we deal with it now, what is our long-term strategy in addressing it? 

I. Laos suffered a very long war. Especially, from 1964 to 1973, intense ground battles and some of the heaviest aerial bombing in world history (2 million tons of bombs for a population of 4.5 millions), have left a staggering amount of unexploded ordnance such as mortar shells, munitions, land-mines, but mostly anti-personnel cluster bombs or bomblets (bombies as we call them in Laos). 

II. Over 20 years ago, since the war ended, we had no systematic Programme of UXO clearance or community awareness at the national level. To deal with the problem, interventions have been launched in specific localities. For instance,

1. In 1975, after the war, the former Soviet Union provided us with equipment as well as technical assistance and training to assist in UXO clearance.

2. In the beginning of 1984, the American Friends Service Committee and the

Mennonite Central Committee, two US NGOs, provided thousands of shovels to farmers in Xiengkhouang and Houaphanh provinces as a safer alternative to the use of traditional hoes for hand-tilling of ordnance-infested areas.

3. Ecole sans frontiere and World Vision International have produced educational materials about the hazards of unexploded ordnance and have them distributed in areas affected by UXO.

4. On a commercial basis, a number of companies have cleared nearly 200 ha of land, in support of irrigation, road and mining projects financed either by donors or by private investors.

5. The US military has cleared some land of UXO to ensure the safety of joint American/Lao teams conducting field investigations on American personnel "Missing in Action" in Laos. In the framework of an American-sponsored drug control rural development project in Houaphanh province, the US has also undertaken some clearance activities.

6. From 1994 to early 1996, the Mines Advisory Group, a British NGO and the

Mennonite Central Committee, a US NGO have launched a "UXO eradication project" in Xiengkhouang Province. The project has been able to train 40 Lao clearance technicians and has developed a community awareness component to reduce the number of UXO related accidents in Xiengkhouang.

III. To give you an idea of what the situation now is and how it is difficult to overcome the problem, let me quote some words from the peoples on the ground, at the grass roots level. These peoples, I can tell you, are honest and sincere but above all they are innocent. Now, here how they do feel and what they do say.

"Of course, I am very scared, but what can we do? We have to do the farming to survive" said a Lao mother who was injured in the head by bomblet shrapnel.

"Nobody at school told me it could be dangerous" said an adolescent boy, sitting on a metal hospital bed, looking at his wounds on his shoulder and leg badly burned by a phosphorous bomb. 

"We spent three months on a school site which was about one third of hectare, there were 700 unexploded ordnances" said a foreign expert of UXO clearance programme.

  "There are so many of them, just everywhere, it will be very hard to say one day that Laos is cleared, but we want to reduce the risks" said a UNDP adviser in the field.

  As a matter of fact, due to the lack of data, the bomblets can be every where, in the fields, on the hill sides, inside villages, along roads and in the center of towns. It is estimated that UXO contamination still affects upto 50% of Laos total land mass (12 out of 16 provinces of the country). Judging from this, we can see how serious the problem is, because it is not only an humanitarian issue but indeed, it represents a big impediment to our effort towards development, especially in rural areas.

  On August 1st 1995, aware of the tragic effects of the post-time war, together with UNDP and UNICEF, we had established a Trust Fund for clearance of unexploded ordnance. At the same time, we had also drawn up a national Programme, which includes unexploded ordnance clearance, community awareness, surveys and other related activities.

  While 1996 fund raising seems to be quite satisfactory for the first year

Programmes (UNDP, UNICEF, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA, Germany have contributed), effort is now being focused on securing funds for the medium-term future. This would very much help our concerned authorities in their efforts to elaborate a long-term sustainable Programme if pledges can be made in advance and on a multi-year basis. Allow me to seize this opportunity on behalf of the Lao Government and people, to express our sincere thanks to all donor countries and international organisations for their important financial contributions to the Trust Fund. It is our hope that other friendly countries and international organisations would also find it possible to give their contributions to the Fund.

To implement this ambitious national Programme appears to be a daunting task. However, with the support and cooperation of the world community, it is our belief that we can make this happen.

Thank you.

Statement
by
H.E. Mr. Alounkèo KITTIKHOUN
Ambassador
Permanent Representative
of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
to the United Nations
on Agenda Item 41: Assistance in Mine Clearance
at the plenary of the 52nd Session of the United Nations
General Assembly

New York, 17 December 1997

Mr. President,

The presence of mines and other unexploded devices as a result of armed conflicts, continue to be a subject of deep concern to the international community. In fact, as the Secretary General stated, in his report there are an estimated 110 million mines buried in the ground in more than 70 countries in the world. Every effort should therefore be made to intensify international cooperation in the field of mine-clearance and it is our firm belief that only through international concerted effort that mankind could be saved from this scourge.

Mr. President,

As is known to all, the Lao PDR has experienced a protracted war and suffered from 1964 to 1973 some of the heaviest aerial bombardment in world history. During the bombing, two million tons of ordnance were dropped and it is now generally agreed that the failure rate may have been as high as 30 per cent.

On August 1st 1995, together with UNDP and UNICEF, the Lao Government has established a Trust Fund for unexploded ordnance. A national Program has been initiated, the objectives of which are three-fold:
1. to build a national capacity for unexploded ordnance activities,
2. to prepare and implement a national unexploded ordnance strategy, and
3. to coordinate clearance, surveying, training and community awareness programs throughout the country.

UXO clearance operations are now underway in three provinces, with over 270 field staff employed by UXO offices and its implementing partners. Many thousands devices have been removed and about 100 hectares of high-priority land cleared. In Xiengkhouang province a lone, for instance, since January to October 1997, 43.225 unexploded Ordnance were destroyed. These included 15 mines, 34 bombs, 21.300 bombies and 21.875 various types of explosive weapons. Together with the destruction of UXO, awareness campaigns were launched in the districts of Nong Head, Kham, Paek, Khoune and Phou Koud, where UXO still pose a serious threat to people's life. In these campaigns, we resorted to a variety of available techniques, including TV and Radio broadcast, presentations to schools and widespead distribution of UXO awareness material-posters, T-shirts and school material etc. During the end of 1997, clearance and awareness operations in all 5 affected provinces of Southern Laos have also been conducted.

Overall, many initial achievements have been recorded, but to be honest, a lot remains to be done in the years ahead. Our plans for 1998 includes the training of some 250 deminers to complete the staffing requirement of a total 12 affected provinces, the Establishment of UXO offices and awareness projects in another four affected provinces.

By the year 1999, if things go well as planned, provincial UXO offices will be established in all UXO affected provinces of Laos, the Lao national trainers will conduct all basic and refresher training programs and more importantly, community awareness activities will be undertaken in all 12 affected provinces. The estimated annual budget for 1998 is 8 million US dollars, the same amount is being estimated for 1999. For that purpose the Government of the Lao PDR, UNDP and UNICEF will continue and participate in a coordinated resource mobilisation effort, aimed at securing the necessary funding for program operations both for 1998 and 1999 as well as ensuring the ongoing viability of program in the medium and long term future.
Allow me to seize this opportunity, on behalf of the Government and the people of the Lao PDR to express our sincere thanks to all friendly countries, and international organizations for their important financial contributions given so far to the Trust fund. It is our hope that other friendly countries and international organizations would also find possible to give their contributions to the Fund and to assist us in fulfilling this challenging task.

The Lao PDR is now at peace. Under conditions of solid political stability, our multi-ethnic people live with each other in harmony and participate with enthusiasm in the development of the country. The land which is cleared will remain clear. Imbued with optimism, we will do our utmost to implement our national program for unexploded ordnance clearance so as to realize the objectives as expected.

Thank you.

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, let me express my sincere appreciation to Mr. John Mc.Auliff, a long time friend of Laos, and his colleague for organizing this important meeting of USNGO Forum on Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. It is indeed a great honour for me to participate in this gathering once again, which, I believe would give us a good opportunity for discussions and exchange of views on the recent socio-economic development in Laos as well as on other matters of common interest.

Before I present to you my perceptions, I would like to thank you for your presence and keen interest in our country. In the same spirit, I avail myself of this solemn occasion to wish you all good health, happiness and a lot of successes in the discharge of your duties.

Dear friends and colleagues,

Ten years ago, in 1986, the Lao Government, having recognised that the slow pace of the country's economic development was unable to meet the increasing needs of its people, began the transformation of its economy from a centrally planned to an open market-based system. The adoption of the New Economic Mechanism marked a watershed for our country, which lies at the heart of the booming sub-region of Southeast Asia. It signalled a change in the role of the State, from direct involvement in production and trading, towards management of the economy through macroeconomic policy. It also provided new opportunities for the private sector in the economy, including foreign investors and lao individuals living overseas with the capacity to inject capital domestically scarce in the country.

Based on this economic reform policy, in the past 10 years, the annual economic growth has increased significantly and the living standard of our people has also been gradually improved. In 1994, Laos' economic growth rate reached a peak of 8.1 per cent and per capita income rose to between US$ 350-360, which places our country among the fastest growing economies in the world. As for 1995, the growth rate was 7.1 per cent. Besides, we have been able to maintain general stability of domestic prices, control the inflation and exchange rate to a fairly level. With respect to foreign investment, it is encouraging to note that as of June 1996, the value of approved foreign investment licences stood at US$ 5.08 billions, of which 23,58 per cent was in the energy sector.

Despite the fact that Laos' economic reform has gained high momentum in recent years, the country still faces many adjustment problems in its restructuring away from a centrally planned to a market economy. The capacity for investment and domestic savings is limited, infrastructure development is occurring mainly in the major urban centres, and economic and financial institutions are facing difficulties such as budget and trade deficits. Moreover, the practice of slash and burn cultivation, high incidence of illiteracy, high infant and child mortality rates are still prevailing in many parts of the country, especially in the mountainous and remote areas.

In the efforts of overcoming these development constraints, in 1993, the Government launched the National Socio-Economic Development Plan to pursue an overall policy of growth with equity, focusing on various sectors of the economy. Special emphasis has also been placed on human resource development, the objective of which is to create necessary conditions for national development both for the immediate term and in the long run.

Equally important is the environmental issue which the Government has paid great attention to. We are fully aware of the negative consequences that may result from mismanagement and negligence of environmental safety measures in the implementation of a certain project. With our own sense of responsibility toward the development of the country, we will do anything possible to ensure a sustainable and equitable development based on the rational use of existing natural resources and the protection of wildlife and biodiversity.

Dear friends,

At this point in time, the Lao people enjoy solid socio-political stability. We firmly believe that the present situation will continue to provide essential conditions for the strengthening of national capacity and the continuation of economic reform. It is also important to acknowledge the technical and humanitarian assistance given by the international community and different NGOs which represents an important contribution in helping the Lao PDR attain its goals of socio-economic development and create better living conditions for our people. I would, therefore, like to take this opportunity to express our deep thanks for such valuable assistance provided to our country and people.

Dear Friends,

Unexploded ordnance ( UXO ) left over from the Indochina war, which ended over 20 years ago, still affects about half of the country. UXO not only kills and maims farmers and their families, it also denies cultivable land to already poor and vulnerable communities. To redress the situation, a joint Trust Fund had been established by the Government of the Lao PDR, UNDP and UNICEF on August1,1995 to provide resources for a comprehensive programme of UXO awareness, training, survey, and clearance, as well as other related activities. Since then, the Fund started to be filled up but more contributions are needed so that it can fully operate. To that end, we would highly appreciate the contributions from all donors, international organizations, business communities and NGOs to this Fund.

Drug issue remains a serious problem to be dealt with. The Hmong, one of our ethnic groups in the northern part of Laos are still practicing the opium poppy cultivation which has been a traditional way of life for them since centuries. The lack of social services, no access to market and other difficulties are also to be blamed. With a view to resolving this problem, the Lao Government exerts much of its efforts to reduce the drug supply through implementation of the Integrated Rural Development Programmes. With the assistance of UNDCP, a Comprehensive Drug Control Programme to the year 2000 was formulated by the Lao Government in 1993, stressing the priority needs in drug control matters. The financial resources that are needed for the implementation of this Programme amount to US$ 35 millions. As our domestic resources are critically limited, the success in its implementation depends crucially on external financing.

At the same time in the field of law enforcement, we have recently amended our penal code by imposing stiffer penalties from 2 to 7 years and up to life imprisonment for those convicted of serious offences in drug trafficking.

Dear friends and colleagues,

As we approach the end of this century, our people look with enthusiasm to the future. In that perspective, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party at its Sixth Party Congress held earlier this year, has set some ambitious goals to achieve by the start of the new millenium. Among those goals are: per capita income should reach US$ 500 a year, up from its present rate of US$ 350, economic growth should develop at a rate of between 8 and 8.5 per cent per year.

Eradicating poverty, increasing food production and developing the rural sector are all part of the Government's plans. The Party has also set some long term goals. By the year 2020, it aims at riding the country of the state of underdevelopment, creating a social welfare and providing educational opportunities and health services for all Lao people. It is indeed a massive task that we have to fulfill, but we believe that we have huge potential for its implementation as the country possesses rich natural resources. Initial infrastructure has appeared and the number of skilled labour has increased gradually.

In the political field, the Government's objective is to create an enabling environment outside the country for the benefit of the renovation policy currently being implemented. Gaining support, assistance and cooperation in the international arena is considered vital for Laos as the country is preparing itself for membership into ASEAN next year. No doubt, the primary benefit from ASEAN is to give Laos a sense of identity and belonging, both at the regional and international levels. The Lao Government fully recognizes that there is no turn back and therefore, decided with a firm conviction to carry out this evolving process for the benefit of its people and the region as a whole. However, the lack of human and financial resources is Laos' main problem in joining the group. We need to train our officials in the English language to attend more than 200 annual meetings of ASEAN. The Government expects that with training provided by various donors, some 300 more officials will have English-language skills. In this connection, any financial or technical assistance from the world community and NGOs would be mostly welcome .

In the regional economic field, we are witnessing great interests expressed by the leaders of the countries in the region to expand further the already existing intergovernmental links in the light of new challenges and opportunities.

Sub-regional cooperation in projects of direct benefits to Laos, such as road links with Thailand, Myanmar and the Southern provinces of China within the framework of the Quatripartite cooperation, provides an important vehicle for leveraging its limited resources on a sub-regional scale. For this reason, cooperation between Laos and its well advanced neighbours in ASEAN would not only benefit their economic development, but also help increase understanding and trust among themselves.

Recognizing the irreversible international trend toward regional economic integration, the Asia-Europe Summit recently held last march, in Bangkok, undertook a bold step to develop the Greater Mekong Basin Development Project whose main objective is to build rail roads that will link Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos,Vietnam and China to Europe. Closer links between these economies, with Laos as a hub or landlink, would significantly accelerate and diversify the development of our country and concurrently, promote trade and provide greater access to markets for the whole region.

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before concluding my remarks, let me say a few words on the current situation of Lao repatriation. For the last three years, there have been no more new arrivals in Thailand. During the last Tripartite Meeting of Lao-Thai-UNHCR held last month in Champassack, Laos, all three parties reaffirmed their commitments to complete repatriation from Thailand within this year 1996. But regrettably, the Tripartite Meeting noted that the target date could not be met due to the indecision on the part of the remaining Lao refugees to apply for voluntary repatriation after the rescreening process by the American government for resettlement in the US. In light of this new situation, the Tripartite Meeting concurred that the said rescreening process should be completed as soon as possible.

Based on our humanitarian policy proclaimed in 1977, the Lao Government will continue welcoming all Lao refugees abroad and mainly in Thailand who sincerely want to return to their homeland with dignity and safety and above all, on the voluntary basis.

While hoping that these remarks would represent a modest contribution to our exchange of views today, I would be very pleased to answer any question that you may want to raise.

Once again, I wish you all good health, happiness and of course a long life.

Thank you for your attention.

Entire contents copyright © 1997 by the Lao Permanent Mission to UN, NY, USA. All Rights Reserved.