Lao Prime Minister has issued a decree on anti-corruption, with 20 articles in four chapters.

The decree aims to step up the effectiveness of the anti-corruption drive; to improve observance of disciplines and laws; to strengthen and make transparent the operations of all Party, state and mass organizations; to improve order and justice; to protect the benefits of the state, collectives and individuals; and to enhance the influence and dignity of the people's democratic regime.

Article 3 of this decree defines corruption as behavior of individuals or groups, which is harmful to society. Examples given include abuse of status-titles, rights, powers, and positions for embezzlement, fraud, seizure of properties, taking of commissions or bribes, or deliberate violation of regulations, rules and laws for the benefit of self, family, clan, friends or groups. These actions damage properties of the state, collectives or individuals, directly impact on the Party guidelines, policies and state development plans, and depress the influence and prestige of the Party and state. The decree is operative for civil servants in ministries, equivalent committees, Party-state organizations, and mass organizations at central, local, and grass-root levels, and in organizations of the Lao People's Democratic Republic abroad, as defined in civil service regulations.

It also covers military and police officers and technical officials under the Ministry of National Defense and Interior, as well as leading management and technical officials in state enterprises, state-private joint ventures, and state-established production business organizations.

Those appointed or authorized by the Party, state and mass organizations are also subject to this decree.

The decree defines prohibitions including those against revealing official secret documents; forgery or alteration of official documents; hold ups or delays of official documents; the prohibition on issuance of regulations and rules detrimental to enforced regulation, rules, and laws, and the prohibition of concealment and seizure of state and collective properties for one's own benefits.

The prohibitions further forbid any arbitrary increase or decrease of taxes, duties and fees imposed by the state; the collection of state-imposed fees and service charges resulting from regulations-rules; concealment or embezzlement of state revenues; abuse of positions, rights, powers, and duties; taking commissions from purchase orders and auctions, project cost estimates, construction project bids, and inspection of state construction projects; bribes to influence investigations, interrogations or prosecution of lawsuits; or concealment and removal of criminal evidence.

Other prohibitions include the use of status and positions in bail in civil cases; being a consultant or broker without permission from one's own higher authority; unauthorized spending of state funds on gifts; and the opening of an account abroad without permission from one's own organization.
 

VICE PREMIER INSPECTS LAO-THAI BOUNDARY DEMARCATION

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bounyang Vorachith and Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Saysomphone Phomvihane paid a visit to the southernmost province of Champassak to inspect progress in Lao-Thai boundary demarcation.

They inspected new demarcation marker No. 4 (15-04) on the -15th stretch.

They met technical field of finials and congratulated them on their achievement in building demarcation marker 15-04. The Finance Minister called on them to pool their spirit and efforts in the survey and demarcation of the remaining part in contribution to the development of the Lao-Thai relationship, and offered gifts to the officials.

Demarcation marker 15-04 was the first built in the 1999-2000 period and the second built on the 15th stretch in Champassak province (the first was demarcation marker 15-03 built in 1998-1999), being located at WB 602-078 on Lao soil at Katin village, Phonthong district, Champassak province, and Manpa village, Tambon Khamkheuangkeo, Soulinthone district, Ubon Ratchathany province, northeast Thailand.

Survey and demarcation of the Lao-Thai boundary for 1999-2000 continues the joint Lao and Thai operation, which started May 1997.

The two sides will work together for eight months in the 15th, 16th, and 5th stretches, and demarcation is scheduled for completion in the year 2000.

In its current operations, since December 8, the survey and demarcation unit has received cooperation from Lao border residents, who contributed labor to move sand gravel, and other materials or the construction of the demarcation marker, as well as food and spiritual contributions.
 

VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS LAOS

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cam, paid a four-day official visit to the Lao PDR.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cam and his delegation met with the Lao Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad and Foreign Ministry officials to talk about cooperation between the two nations.

After the discussion, the two ministers signed an agreement on cooperation between the two foreign ministries from 2000-2005.

In the agreement, the two ministries will exchange visits of high-ranking delegations so that they can exchange views on world trends and political issues. The visit of the delegation will also help both sides improve cooperation and exchange information.

During the four-day visit to Laos, the Vietnamese foreign minister called on Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh and President Khamtay Siphandone of the Lao PDR, and then visited Luang Prabang to enjoy natural and archaeological sites in the World Heritage city.
 

PRESIDENT RECEIVED MYANMAR AND VIETNAMESE DELEGATIONS

President Khamtay Siphandone separately received delegations from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and from the Union of Myanmar. 

A delegation from the Ideology and Culture Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, led by its chief Huu Tho, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is paying a working visit to Laos until December 30. 

The Union of Myanmar delegation is led by Lt. Gen. Tin Oo, Secretary 2, of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council, who is also Special Operations Bureau Chief and Army Chief of Staff. The official December 27-30 visit to Laos is at the invitation of Lt. Gen. Choummaly Saygnaysone, Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister. 

The Lao President hailed the visit of each to Laos, and exchanged views on ties and cooperation between Laos and the two neighboring countries, Vietnam and Myanmar. They shared the view that the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao PDR and the Union of Myanmar maintained a good neighborly relationship and the ties have grown in all fields satisfactorily. 
 

JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER VISIT LAOS

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi of Japan paid an official two-day visit Laos. During the visit the Prime Minister met with the Lao Prime Minister and then paid a courtesy call on the President of the Lao PDR. 

The two Prime Ministers discussed international and regional issues. The Japanese Prime Minister confirmed that Japan would continue to support Lao development, having announced at the last Japan-ASEAN meeting that Japan will continue to help ASEAN countries in their development. In addition, Japan will consider providing more grant aid to Laos, but would like to check on progress in the current cooperation. Japan will give positive cooperation in human resources development by helping building the Faculty of Economics for the National University of Laos. Japan will also support about 20 students annually to study in Japan. 

During the visit three documents were signed. These are documents of exchange concerning assistance in various fields.

The heads of government of the two countries stressed their will to continue to expand the relations and cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister of Japan said that in the past the Japanese people, like people in the world, knew very little about Laos because communication was more difficult. Therefore, he said this visit would help the Japanese people to know more about Laos, and see the importance of Laos to the region in the new stage.
 

LAOS AND VIETNAM FOSTER COOPERATION

The 22nd session of the Lao-Vietnamese Economic, Social, Scientific and Technical Cooperation Commission was held in Vientiane.

Representatives of the Lao PDR and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam governments discussed a strategic draft for economic co-operation up to 2010.

Leading the Lao side was Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, and the Vietnamese side was led by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Both are co-chairmen of the Cooperation Commission.

In revising last year's action plan of co-operation, the sides discussed and reached an agreement note.

Additionally, the sides signed a memorandum on amended contracts for Lao-Vietnamese cross-border trade without permission of the respective Trade Ministries.

Goods crossing the border are not inspected, and traders need only present legal import-export papers in accordance with the two countries' agreement.

The visit affirmed the gradual strengthening of the special relations and all-round cooperation between the two Parties, governments and people.
 

ANNUAL FIMC BRIEFING MEETING 1999 

The Foreign Investment Management Cabinet (FIMC) held a meeting recently, concluding its annual work in Vientiane municipality. 

The meeting focussed on weaknesses and strengths of the design and implementation of the plan in the last period. 

This year foreign investment has increased slightly. In 1998 there was 150 projects with investment value of US$ 1,312 million and this has increased to 156 projects during 1999 worth US $ 1,646 million. 

If making a comparison between 1998 and 1999, it can be observed that the numbers of projects have increased by 4 percent and funds have increased by 26 percent in 1999. Estimates for 2000 forecast the even greater foreign investment in Lao PDR than for 1999. Also to be taken into consideration is that during 1988- 99, 46 projects were cancelled, worth a total of US$ 455,442,660. 

The role of FIMC in year 2000 is to continue to provide guidelines for the party and state regarding the socioeconomic development of the country. The FIMC will ensure political work guarantees political stability and attracts foreign investors to every sector in Laos, such as electricity, minerals, agriculture and forestry, and other sectors, which are fundamental to the country's development. 

The Foreign Investment Management Cabinet will combine a strategic plan for long-term investment for 2000-2020, in order to encourage cooperation between concerned sectors within Laos to make it convenient for foreigners to invest and reside in Laos. 

The human resource development plans of the Foreign Investment Management Cabinet are to include training on investment administration work for its officials. Experiences will be exchanged with neighboring countries to enable staff to be more competent and efficient. 

Besides this, the FIMC will improve investment information, documents and advertising to attract more foreign investors. It will continue to network and improve relations with international organizations which may be able to assist FIMC to bring work links onto the Internet and cooperate with ASEAN member countries to prepare for a conference on the ASEAN Investment Agreement (AIA).
 

NEW DEVELOPMENT IN SAVANNAKHET PROVINCE

A signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Savannakhet Rural Development Bureau and Concern Worldwide, setting up a capacity building program for communities and local authorities in 10 villages of Thapangthong District, was signed in Vientiane. 

The three-year project to develop living conditions and their problem-solving capacity will be funded by the UK Government International Development Department and the Irish Concern Worldwide Program. The total cost will be $328,973 and it will be implemented between 1999 and 2002.
 

PAKSE-PHIAFAY ROAD OPENED

The completed road section between Pakse-Phiafay, under the Chongmeck-Pakse-Veunekham phase of the ADB7 project, which started in the middle of 1996, was opened on December 12 at a ceremony in Pakse, Champassak province.

The Pakse-Phiafay road phase is an important section of Road No 13 South, linking Laos-Thailand-Vietnam-Cambodia, and it is also the main road for socio-economic development in the southern part of Laos.

The Pakse-Phiafay section, costing US$10.83 million, has a speed limit of 80km/ph. It is one of the four road stretches of the ADB7 project, 49.045 kilometers long 9 meters wide, with a double layer of asphalt, and 11 bus stops. There are eight bridges, each 432-meter long, 5.6-meter wide.

The Chongmek-Pakse-Veunkham road section of ADB7 project is a 200-km long project of the Communications, Transport, Posts, and Construction Ministry, costing $43 million, 80% of which is a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and 20% from the Lao government.

The ADB7 project consists of four road stretches; two have already been completed, and the remaining 2 should be finished by the middle of next year.
 

INCREASED DRY RICE AREAS

In 1999-2000, dry rice growing areas will increase to 110,000 ha throughout the country. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said that the rice output in the dry season reached 4,2 tones/ha. About 465,000 tones of rice were expected from 10,500 ha in the northern part of the country with the yield of 3.7 tones/ha. The central part will grow rice on 69,500 ha and expects to obtain 4.3 tones/ha. The southern part will grow rice on 30,000 ha and the expected yield is 4,1 tones/ha.

Surveys show that Vientiane municipality, Savannakhet and Champassak provinces will have larger areas for dry rice cultivation.

To support the dry rice production in 1999-2000, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has facilitated companies to import fertilizers.

At present, some companies have planned to import some 14,000 tones of chemical fertilizer. The Ministry of Commerce and Tourism will import 10,000 tones and the Japanese government will provide 9,000 tones.
 

NATIONAL ROUTE 9 UPGRADE

A 20-km stretch of the National Highway No. 9 from Seno to Phalane district in Savannakhet Province to be upgraded with a Japanese government grant of 1.29 billion yen (about US dollars 12 million).

Work started December 21 and is expected to finish by March 31, 2001. The asphalt road will be 12 meters wide, with seven meters of vehicle carriage-way. Other work will include the improvement of the Seno junction, installation of traffic signs and milestones, and a bus terminal.

The Lao PDR has made remarkable achievements in economic and social development, and in particular, in infrastructure. Recognizing the vital importance of infrastructure for economic and social development, including road and air transport and telecommunication systems, the Japanese Government has cooperated the Government of the Lao PDR with technical and financial assistance for various infrastructure development projects, said the Japanese ambassador at the ceremony.

In road transport, the Japanese Government has extended financial assistance to build National Road Route 8 and the Pakse Bridge over the Mekong River; reconstruction of 37 bridges on National Road Route 13 from Nam Kading to Savannakhet and other small bridges in Champassak Province. The reconstruction of 40 bridges on the National Road Route 13 from Savannakhet to Pakse is underway. Assistance in the building of a second international bridge between Savannakhet, Lao PDR and Mukdahanh, Thailand is under consultation.

With its infrastructure development, geographically, Lao PDR will play an important role as a center for the Greater Mekong River Basin sub-region development.
 

ROAD-BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION IN OUDOMSAY

Oudomsay province in October put into service a new bridge across the Nam Mao River at Nasao village, the municipality of its capital. Construction of the 112 million kip bridge began January 1998 and was finished late October this year.

The bridge, 16 meters long, five meters wide, and two meters high, was funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

The northern province is also building a red-earth compacted road, 28 km long and five meters wide, linking the municipal town and the target rural development area between Meuang La and Ano village. With 50 million kip from the government, construction started early this year is now 70 percent achieved, and should be complete next year, providing access to rural remote areas for urban-rural communications and in support of animal husbandry.
 

PAKSE AND PHONTHONG NOW CONNECTED BY BRIDGE

Cranes fitted the final section of Pakse's new bridge into place on January 15, physically connecting the town with Phongthong district on the opposite shore of the Mekong River.

Champassak province is a center of development in the south of the country. The road link from the Lao-Thai Border (Vangtao) across the Mekong River augments the existing ferry, which has been improved by ADB assistance.

Parallel to this assistance supervised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in early 1996 the Ministry of Communications, Transport, Post and Construction (MCTPC) received a grant from the Government of Japan to study and design a bridge across the Mekong River at Pakse.

After receiving a detailed design, on 23 May 1997 the Government of Lao PDR received a 5.4 billion yen grant from the Japanese government to build the Pakse Mekong Bridge. 

Bridge construction began in October 1997, and is scheduled for completion in October 2000. At 1,380 meters, the Pakse Mekong bridge is the longest in Laos. It is dual carriage-way, 11.8m wide with a pedestrian path on both sides. The structure is of continuous rigid frame PC box girder and the longest span of 1.43m hangs by cable from the tower.

The project agreement includes 3,030 meters of approach roads on both sides.

Construction work is about 90% finished and the remaining work should be completed ahead of schedule.
 

JAPANESE VACCINE DONATION

It was recently announced that vaccine and equipment for the immunization work for 2000 would be given US$ 456,000 by a Japanese government donation through two plans.

The first, "Promotion of Polio eradication", will receive US$ 122,000 for vaccines and US$ 18,800 for motorcycles for vaccine delivery. The other, "Promoting Immunization Project", will get US$ 315,000 to acquire polio, measles, tuberculosis, tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough vaccines.

In 1992-1998, the Laos office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) closely cooperated with the Lao government in improving immunization work through the primary health care project.

The cooperation will further go with the Pediatric Infection Project, to run October 1998-September 2001, which is supported by the Lao Public Health Ministry and the JICA Laos office, aiming to eradicate polio and reduce the child mortality rate by improving the Expanded Program on Immunization.

Since 1989, the Japanese Government has assisted Laos with vaccines and equipment for immunization, to an annual amount of between US$ 400,000 and US$ 800,000.
 

LAO COTTON BOOMING 

The Lao Cotton State Enterprise plans to build a new factory to meet customer demand, expecting 80 percent of products to be sold to Lao customers.

Currently the Lao Cotton State Enterprise cannot meet the customer demand, so this year the factory plans to increase production by building a new factory, also planning to buy new machines and equipment.

The target for this year is to increase production by 50 percent, which will increase income about 30-50 percent compared with last year.

The paper says that most products will be supplied to the domestic market, with only 20 percent exported.

The Lao Cotton State Enterprise plans to open two new branches, at the Morning Market and in the duty free shop at the Friendship Bridge.
 

NEW IRON FACTORY

The construction of the first Lao ironwork factory is to begin mid-February, to be completed at the end of this year, using a US$ 2 million loan from the Indian government.

The two-hectare factory will be next to the Thangon Agricultural Tool Factory in Saythany district of Vientiane municipality.

The factory is to start operating in early December, producing agriculture machinery spare parts, water pumps, and other spare parts. At first, 70 percent of all raw materials will be imported.

The factory will produce high quality products to international standards, meeting 50 percent of domestic market demand.
 

INCREASE EXPORT TO JAPAN 

The Japanese Government expects that Japan will be importing US$ 250 million of Lao products by 2003.

Senior consultant of the Japanese government foreign commercial department, said that Japanese Government will operate a three year project to develop Lao handicraft, expecting that in year 2003, Lao handicraft worth US$ 250 million will be put in Japanese market, increasing annually by 2-3%.

Since 1998, no more than US$ 2 million of Lao products have been reaching the Japanese market each year, a very small proportion of Japan's total import of handicraft.  

Lao handicrafts offer a wide variety of colors and styles, but we lack knowledge of the Japanese market and good specialization in production.
 

CONSTRUCTION OF MUANG PEUN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

The US government is funding the construction of an irrigation weir and 2.6 kilometer canal system as part of the Lao American Cooperation Project in Houaphanh province as part of US counter narcotics assistance to Laos. On January 14, the Lao American Project and Agro-Promotion Construction Company signed a US$ 149,000 contract for this construction.

The new irrigation system will provide water for 48 hectares of rice fields in the Muang Peun region of Vieng Thong district.

Construction should be completed in time for the monsoon rice season this year.

The Lao American Cooperation Project in Houaphanh province began in 1989 to help poor farmers in Vieng Thong and Hua Muang districts by providing improved food production and better access to public health services, education, markets, and new economic opportunities. In exchange the farmers have agreed to give up planting the opium poppy, which has led in the past to drug trafficking and addiction.

This is one more example of the US government and the Lao government's efforts to work together to fight the problems of illicit drug production, trafficking, and abuse
 

ROUNDTABLE MEETING MOVES FROM GENEVA TO VIENTIANE

The VIIth Roundtable Meeting of the Government of the Lao PDR will cease to take place in Geneva Switzerland. Instead, government representatives and donors from the international community gathered for dialogue on preparation for the VIIth Roundtable Meeting to be held in Vientiane at the end of this year.

Vice Prime Minister Bounyang Vorachith at his opening address of the preliminary VIIth Roundtable Meeting process, went on to refer to the many achievements of the government of the Lao PDR and donor community, in assisting the country's development. During the past decade, Laos has achieved the shift from a command economy to a more market-driven economy via the New Economic Mechanism and the introduction of an open-door" policy for foreign direct investments, an important vector for national development. At the same time, Laos has been able to engage in a fundamental transformation of its economy through a consequent building-up of basic infrastructure in almost every vital area of the country.

The primary aim of the government of the Lao PDR is to eliminate poverty. However, to achieve this goal a less developed country such as Laos requires effectively managed assistance of the international community. The VIIth Roundtable Meeting reviews and evaluates the use of loans arid grants to the Lao PDR. Since this is the first time Laos has hosted such a high-profile conference, all the appropriate sectors must begin to make arrangements. According to a meeting organization official, there will be a trial meeting before the actual VIIth Roundtable Meeting occurs at the end of this year.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the main supporter of this project, has played an important role in preparatory mechanisms for the meeting.

UNDP found particular pleasure in responding to the support requests made by the government of Laos with regard to the coordination and collaboration challenges that lie ahead.
 

LAO-MYANMAR DELEGATIONS MEET.

Laos and Myanmar have expressed satisfaction over the development of bilateral ties and co-operation. 

This was expressed during a meeting of high-ranking delegations of the two countries at the Prime Minister's Office here on December 27. Lt. Gen. Tin Oo, Secretary 2 of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar, Special Operations Bureau Chief, and Army Chief of Staff, is leading a high- ranking delegation on a four-day official visit to Laos at the invitation of Lt. Gen. Choummaly Saygnasone, Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister. 

The Lao side was led by Lt. Gen. Choummaly Saygnasone. The two sides discussed ways to step up socioeconomic development ties and co-operation, particularly in border affairs, agriculture, and education. The discussion also covered regional and international issues of mutual interest. 
 

LAO-ASEAN COOPERATION EXPANDS

A two-day workshop in Luang Prabang province on "Current Cooperation among ASEAN countries in Economic, Trade and Investment".

The workshop, co-hosted by the Foreign Ministry and the local authority, was to inform public and private sector participants about ASEAN economic and trade cooperation as well as activities related to the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). Other issues discussed were investment and implementation of the Sixth ASEAN Summit agreement, particularly Hanoi's action plan and measures to improve the economic situation.

Participants also heard about Lao activities over the past two years as a member of ASEAN and exchanged views on benefits from its cooperation. The 60 participants came from staff of Foreign and Finance Ministries working in the AFTA unit. There were also officials from most northern and central provinces. The meeting was chaired by Luang Prabang Province Governor. Among key speakers was Deputy Foreign Minister 
 

LAO-INDIA COOPERATION IN THE YEAR 2000

Laos and India's collaboration is expected to widen this coming year. The Lao Ambassador to India, said that Laos and India should increasingly cooperate together in the fields of commerce, education and culture. The surrounding environments of Laos and India are similar; therefore activities pursued in one country are likely to be applicable to the other. In addition India offers a high degree of technical skills, and he expressed an interest in pursuing ways to exchange vocational knowledge.

India has a higher percentage of skilled individuals in its workforce than Laos - India could teach Lao official's techniques in areas such as agriculture, education, tourism, culture and commerce.

India is an internationally renowned trading nation exporting quality goods, particularly clothes, cash crops and heavy machinery.

Laos could follow Indian examples of marketing and selling clothes. Clothes production also ties in with tourism and would be an added attraction for visitors to Laos.

The Lao Ambassador added that funding for 40 Lao officials to undertake short courses in various subjects was supplied by the Indian government. Seven scholarships were also granted to Lao citizens for long-term training.

Other areas of present and future cooperation and assistance between the two countries are sports promotion and import of irrigation materials. Laos has obtained water pumps for irrigation for some time and import of this infrastructure could be a continuing venture.

There is also great work being undertaken for Visit Laos Year 1999-2000, by Lao Embassy officials in Delhi. They have marketed the country in a number of ways. In addition to this, they have been distributing written guidelines on conducting business in Laos and endeavor to make Laos an attractive proposition for business people.
 

SECOND COUNTRYWIDE PROSECUTORS MEETING

The second countrywide meeting of prosecutors was held under the chairmanship of Public Prosecutor, in Vientiane.

Attending the ceremony were public prosecutors and deputy prosecutors from Vientiane municipality, Vientiane province, and Saysomboune Special Zone, military prosecutor of divisions throughout the country; and representatives from the people's court of Vientiane municipality.

In the four-day meeting, participants have been studying, sharing lessons learned, and reporting on activities over the last five years.
 

UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE ACCIDENTS IN 1999

UXO Lao, the Lao national UXO program, reports that in 1999 accidents from unexploded ordnance continued to occur, killing 25 and injuring 72.

Although the war in Laos ended over 25 years ago, a large amount of unexploded ordnance remains throughout the northeast and the south of Laos.

Most accidents occur in rice-fields, grazing land, village center and forests, usually when people are employed in essential daily activities and accidents involving children have increased substantially in recent years.

UXO Lao has urged authorities, officers, of finials and the public to be alert and to continue to disseminate information on unexploded ordnance, and people should immediately inform an UXO officer when unexploded ordnance is found.
 

REDUCE DRUG PRODUCTION IN LAOS

The 1999 conference of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) officially opened at the Prime Minister's office in Vientiane.

The participants were told about the 1999 activities of the LCDC, and particularly the reduction in drug production and consumption. The LCDC established a rural integrated development project in the northern provinces in cooperation with foreign NGOs.

145 drug-related cases have been resolved, and 356 alleged drug traffickers were arrested, including 10 foreigners and 40 women. 16.85 kilograms of heroin 2,185.5 kilograms of marijuana, 225.8 kilograms of raw opium, and 931,401 amphetamine pills were seized.

Controls on trafficking are not totally effective, and arrested traffickers claimed that almost 90 percent of the drugs were produced in, and brought to Laos from Thailand.

The conference agreed a plan for 2000. This includes continuing to assist the UNDCP project, construction of a drug treatment center in Vientiane, holding the first national meeting for drug control, preparing a plan to stop opium planting by 2006, establishing drug check and control units in the provinces, opening drug check and control units in Huaphanh and Champassak provinces.
 
 

GREAT EVENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE IN LAOS IN 1999

The year 1999 was of great significance all people over the world as it was the last year of the 20th century. Everyone is preparing to enter the new millennium with hopes for a better world. 

But this is not the only thing for Lao people of all ethnic groups to do; they endured the prolonged effects of the regional economic crisis by showing their spirit of self-reliance, expanding production for import substitution, saving more and spending less to protect the national currency, despite attempts by adversaries to obstruct their chosen way of national development. Finally, it was a success. The economy continued to grow with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by over 5 percent, and the kip gradually stabilizing in the last quarter of the year. 

January:  President Khamtay Siphandone visited Vietnam to further strengthen the special friendship, solidarity and all round co-operations between the two countries. 
The government launched a campaign for Visit Laos Year 1999-2000 with more than 500,000 tourists entering the country following the announcement of the campaign. The Lao Peoples' Army celebrated its 50th founding anniversary on January 20. 

India pledged a soft loan to Laos for the import of capital and consumer goods and services following a visit by the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs. 

Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh was joined by Vice Prime-Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad on a visit to China. During the visit five agreements were signed, - including understandings regarding the avoidance of double taxation, China's loans to Laos, economic and technical co-operation, such as in education. 

February: The Government decided to allow groups of tourists from neighboring countries to enter the country using- border passes through international border checkpoints, under the guidance of Lao tour companies. Lao officials asked Thai officials for Thai contractors and the Thai military force to stop a road construction project that penetrated Laos' territory on the ridge of Phoudou Mountain. 

Governors of the nine border provinces of Laos met their Thai counterparts. This was their second meeting to further co-operation in seeking solutions to common border issues, including developing strategies to overcome the blocking of good relations by other parties. Minutes were signed to upgrade Road 9, a 130 km long road access for Laos to the seaport in Vietnam. The country expected 300,000 tons of dry rice crops alone as its irrigated area rose from 53,000 ha in 1998 to about 80,000ha in 1999. Nam Theun 2 completed reports on the resettlement of local communities. 

March: Two more international border check points were opened to visitors, one in Thakek, central Laos, and the other in Songmek, southern Laos, through which all foreign visitors can enter into Laos and Thailand. 

Laos and Thailand agreed on visa exemption for official passports as a result of a visit to Thailand by Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh. The other two agreements signed during his visit were the agreement on criminal extradition and land transportation. Talks also covered the completion of land border demarcation by the year 2000, and water demarcation by the year 2003. 

Construction of eleven bridges on Road 13 south funded by the Japanese government was finalized, hence further facilitating movements of goods to markets in cities. Two local border checkpoints between Bolikhamsay province and Thai Nongkhay province opened. 

The Party Central Committee opened its eight plenary session to evaluate developments in the country, focusing on seeking ways to overcome economic difficulties by boosting the spirit of self-reliance. 

Secretary I of Myanmar visited Laos while the co-operating commissions of the two countries held a meeting in Vientiane that led to the signing of an agreement on preventing the trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances and controlling banned chemical substances. 

April: The National Assembly closed its third ordinary session with the passing of four draft laws on processing industries, environmental protection, town planning and highways. The session heard a report from the government that the output of wet rice crop reached 1,675 million tons and that the irrigated areas for dry rice crop increased to 87,000ha. The World Bank opened its new country office in Vientiane.

May: A Lao booth displaying crafts at a trade fair in Germany was awarded first prize as best booth of the 700 exhibitors. Laos put the wheels in motion to gain membership to the WTO, signing a project document with UNDP that will lead it to become a WTO member. Laos and Russia developed their relations by signing two agreements on combating drug trafficking and avoiding double taxation. 

The Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Laksman Kadirgamar visited Laos, saying that Sri Lanka agreed to provide training and education scholarships to Laos. ADB continued its assistance to Laos, providing US $5-6 million technical aid annually and a US$50-60 million soft loan following discussions by both sides in Vientiane.

June: Visiting Swiss-Thai Chamber of Commerce executives found hydropower development and construction businesses as the most attractive area for investment. People across the country joined in tree planting on National Arbor Day, June 1, which coincided with International Children's Day. 

The US$ 34 million international air terminal building at Wattay was put into operation. A Japanese caravan explored Laos as they heard of Visit Laos Year campaign. Germany provided l0 million DM in aid for the fourth phase of the Rural Telecommunication Project. President Tran Duc Long of Vietnam visited Laos, and a joint communiqué was issued, which stated that the two sides would exchange views on measures to accelerate the building and upgrading Route 12 in Laos to Vung Ang port in Vietnam, thus giving Laos access to the sea. A total of 364 kg of narcotic drugs was burnt on That Luang Esplanade during a ceremony to mark the International Day Against Drugs. Prince and Princess Akishino of Japan visited Laos. 

July: A cruise boat along the Mekong river was introduced for tourists to travel as far as Bokeo in the north of the country. Laos was praised by UNAIDS in Geneva for its efforts in response to HIV/AIDS pandemic. Laos, Thai, UNHCR officials discussed the refugee issue, particularly the return of the screened-out refugees totaling 1,100 out of the remaining 1,300 refugees at the Napho camp in Thailand. 

August: The government updated Laos' immigration regulations to facilitate tourism opening a total of ten international immigration checkpoints in different parts of the country. Houay Ho Hydropower plant was ready to export 150 MW electricity to Thailand. The Government appointed Deputy Prime Minister Bounyang Vorachit as Minister of Finance, replacing Mr. Khamphoui Keoboualapha, who retired. The post of Bank Governor was transferred from Mr. Cheuang Sombounekhanh to Mr.Soukan Mahalath. An agreement was signed on the construction of the Mekong Bridge between Lao Savannakhet and Thai Mukdahane. Vilasone Phikhaikham won a gold medal in taekwondo for Laos at the SEA Games in Thailand. The Lao ambassador to Cambodia gave an interview to the Cambodian press in response to confusing Cambodian media reports regarding the Lao Cambodian border, explaining the history of the bilateral relations and the four principles to be observed in carrying out the border demarcation as agreed by the two governments.

A visiting IMF team held discussions with Lao government officials, focusing on strengthening budgets and foreign exchange monetary policies to stabilize the kip. 

September: A Lao-Vietnamese trade fair was opened to promote trade relations. Laos established its diplomatic relations with Jamaica. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad met US Senator Richard Shelby, Both sides concluded they should look to the future of bilateral relations, not to bring any matter to bargain and obstruct good relations and co-operation. A typhoon swept through Laos with heavy rains that caused floods in various parts of the country. The UNFPA report that, while the world population approaches six billion, Laos's current population reached 5.3 million, and will double by 2025 if the growth rate of 2.6 per cent is left unchecked.

October: The National Assembly opened its fourth session, passing the draft socioeconomic development plan and budget plan for the 1999-2000. Over 267 refugees were repatriated in the first movement following the agreement reached at the Laos-Thailand-UNHCR meeting in July. The Prime Ministers of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia held their informal meeting in Vientiane to discuss development of the ties of friendship and co-operation among the three countries in moving toward the new millennium. Lao Television added one more channel (Channel 5) broadcasting in French. 

November: Government officials and international development experts gathered in Vientiane to discuss issues on development opportunities for ethnic minorities. Counter narcotics offices opened in three more provinces, Luang Prabang Huaphanh and Phongsaly. ASEAN diplomats based in Vientiane, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, visited the golden triangle area to observe for themselves development in the area and Laos' relations with neighboring countries. New President of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid and his wife visited Laos. Construction of a new Setthathiraht Hospital complex started. The first group of more than 100 American tourists flew by a charter to visit Laos a few days before the launching day of Visit Laos Year 1999-2000. The launching ceremony took place at That Luang Esplanade on November 23, which coincided with That Luang Grand Stupa Annual Festival that was accompanied by a trade fair. Nam Mo hydropower project in Xiengkhuang was signed. Prime Minister attended the ASEAN Informal Summit in Manila. State leaders received national greetings from members of diplomatic corps and international organizations based in Vientiane.

December: Houaphanh, Xiengkhouang, Savannakhet and Khammouane launched Visit Laos Year in their provinces, following the national level launching in Vientiane, inviting tourists to see their rich culture and nature. This will be followed by the other provinces across the country.