The President's Office on August 8, 1999 issued a statement on appointments of Cabinet members.

The statement indicated that in conformity with Article 53 of the Constitution, the President of the Lao PDR decided to allow Mr. Khamphoui Keoboualapha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, to retire, and appointed Mr. Bounnyang Vorachit, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, as Minister of Finance.

According to the statement, the government also decided to transfer Mr. Cheuang Sombounekhanh, Governor of the Bank of the Lao PDR, to a new post. The post of the Bank governor was taken over by Mr. Soukanh Maharath, the former Governor of Bokeo province.

The replacements and appointments are based on the requirements of work and the health of Cabinet members. 

FOREIGN MINISTER’S ADDRESS TO ASEAN

Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, addressed the July 23 opening ceremony of the 32nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Singapore.

The following is the full text: "First of all, I was deeply impressed by the inspiring inaugural address of H.E. Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore. In the common interests of the South-East Asian Nations, I would like to take this opportunity to express our profound appreciation to the Government and people of Singapore for the warm hospitality accorded to my delegation and for the excellent arrangements made for this meeting.

I would like to congratulate our Chairman, H.E. Prof. S. Jayakumar, who has guided us with his rich experience and diplomatic skill in the last twelve months, and it is my conviction that under this chairmanship our meeting will be crowned with success.

Today, I am greatly pleased to join other ASEAN colleagues in expressing our very warm welcome to H.E. Mr. Hor Nam Hong, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia who is joining us for the first time as full-fledged member of ASEAN.

Although armed conflicts have erupted in many parts of the world over the past year, peace and development co-operation remain the trend of global development. Normal relations among the major powers continue to serve as a factor guaranteeing peace and stability, and to creating an atmosphere conducive to co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region.

As far as SouthEast Asia is concerned, it is in a better situation than it was last year. While intensifying relations among themselves, individual ASEAN member countries have been taking measures consistent with their respective situations to diminish the impact of the financial crisis, thus allowing some members' economies to begin recovering and regaining confidence from our dialogue partners and others.

Over the past year, the brilliant successes of the Sixth ASEAN Summit, the realization of the vision of the ASEAN's founders to build an association comprising all ten Southeast Asian countries, have become events of historic significance in the region.

These achievements have attested to our continued holding to the value and fundamental principles of ASEAN to move towards the next millennium with cohesive solidarity, self-determination and expanded external relations.

It is our profound recognition that to develop our region toward prosperity, it is most necessary to secure a peaceful and stable environment.

Therefore, along with the promotion of the spirit of ASEAN self-reliance and resilience, we have attached great importance to the broadening of external relations, continuing to play a leading role in the ASEAN Regional Forum.

ASEAN history shows that our association has not grown without turbulence. The importance is that we have been seeking together ways and means to overcome difficulties by enhancing our prime-mover role, strengthening our unity and coordination.

Therefore, with its extensive experience and enormous potential, the ASEAN 10 could realize the Hanoi Plan of Action to achieve sustainable development and to gradually narrow the gap in the levels of economic development among the ASEAN member countries and bring about a bright future for ASEAN.

On the part of the Lao PDR, we will continue to fulfil our commitments toward ASEAN, to maintain national political and social stability. Our further efforts will be made to address current difficulties by developing all the potential of the country, applying the mechanism of market economy and pursing the policy of expanding external relations which has produced positive primary results. We will also join other ASEAN member countries in further contributing toward peace, stability and prosperity in the region and in the world."

  
FOREIGN MINISTRY’S STATEMENT ON TAIWAN ISSUE

Recently, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement relating to the Taiwan issue and an interview given by Lee Teng-hui, President of Taiwan on a German radio station.

The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the recent interview by Lee Teng-hui was irresponsible, in that he said that the cross-straits relations between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan were state-to-state ties and the cross-straits talks were country-to-country talks.

This, said the Ministry spokesman, demonstrated pursuance of a separatist policy as well as sovereignty separation, and was against the territorial integrity of China. It was against the aspirations of the Chinese people and it affected the friendship and co-operation between the Chinese people across the straits.

This runs counter to the attitude of the international community, which acknowledges the principle of the "one-China" policy, and poses a threat to peace, stability and security in the region and the world over.

The statement continued to say that the Lao People's Democratic Republic affirms its constant position, that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government, recognized as such by the international community.

The government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic strongly protests against all separatist intents, and has resolved to support the "one-China" policy and national reunification by peaceful means of the government of the People's Republic of China to ensure the peace and prosperity of the Chinese people as well as of the region and the world, concluded the statement.
 

  
VICE PM ATTENDS CEREMONY OF BOUNDARY SURVEY AND DEMARCATION

Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the Lao-Thai Joint Border Commission attended a ceremony in Champassak province for the release of technicians of Lao-Thai land boundary survey and demarcation out into the field.

On the occasion, Somsavat Lengsavad held a meeting with the technicians and local authorities of the border districts and villages of this southernmost province. Also present at the meeting was the Governor of Champassak province.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed to the importance of the border demarcation, and its advantages and difficulties in the previous period. He also called on all parties to render co-operation to this work so that it might be completed within the time set.
 

  
GOVERNMENT TO CLOSE EXCHANGE RATE GAP

Buoyed by its recent success in stabilizing the sliding kip, the government confirmed that it will take further measures to control the exchange rate and money trading. Specifically, the plan calls for having a uniform exchange rate by convincing money exchange traders to recognize a common value for foreign currencies.

The aim of the combination is to eliminate the gap between the official rate and the parallel one. The government will make this decision soon and there will be only one exchange system, officials concerned with curbing inflation told the media.

Economic journalists were also informed that the stable kip, which is now 9,300 kip against the US dollar and 255 kip against the Thai baht, is the result of several measures the government has taken so far.

These include tighter controls on collecting taxes and unpaid debts from domestic traders. Collection of duties on imported goods valued over 200,000 kip has also been more strictly implemented.

The government also opened a state shop to supply low price consumer goods to compete with the private sector. Added to this was a recent ban on the import of automobiles. This is in line with a state policy to lessen imports on high-priced durable goods.

Official said that although the measures have been somewhat successful, different views remain. It was admitted that some in the financial community disagree about the next step the government should take.

One view is to increase the amount of state financial reserves available to the government, while another opinion is to lower Laos’ debt burden. It is hoped that in their discussions, the two opposing views will come to a mutual agreement that will benefit the Lao economy.

In the near future, the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism will select some voluntary entrepreneurs to form joint venture businesses with Vietnamese entrepreneurs. The aim is to provide Lao small-businesses owners the opportunity to learn from Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

The government will also continue its effort to combat inflation by offering discounted goods to consumers at its state-run stores.
 

  
NOTIFICATION BY THE CONSULAR DEPARTMENT 

The Consular Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the honor to inform foreign nationals intending to come to the Lao PDR for official contacts, for visiting their relatives, tourism, commercial or other purposes that the government of the Lao PDR has updated its regulations on entry into and exit from the Lao PDR in conformity to the present conditions. It has also opened a number of International Immigration Check-Points (IICPs) to facilitate Lao citizens, immigrants and foreign nationals in their border crossings, especially, to promote the Visit Laos Year 1999-2000. 

There are now 10 IICPs in Laos, which are divided into two categories as follows: 
* The IICPs of Category I : are those permitting Lao citizens, immigrants and foreign nationals who hold a passport with an appropriate visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Embassy or a Consulate General of the Lao PDR overseas to enter into and exit from Laos. The IICPs of this category I can only ease those who have had a valid visa in their entering into and exiting from the country, but is not entitled to issue visa on arrival. The IICPs of Category I are the following: 
1. Houaixay-Xiangkong (adjacent to the Kingdom of Thailand) 
2. Thakhek-Nakhonphanome (adjacent to the Kingdom of Thailand) 
3.  Savannakhet-Moukdahan (adjacent to the Kingdom of Thailand) 
4. Vangtao-Xongmek (contiguous with the Kingdom of Thailand) 
5. Ban Densavanh-Laobao (close to Vietnam ) 
6. Namphao or Keoneua-Caucheo (close to Vietnam ) 
7. Boten-Bohan (adjacent to PR of China) 
* The IICPs of Category II : are those allowing Lao citizens, immigrants and foreign nationals who hold a passport with an appropriate visa issued by either the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Embassy or a Consulate General of the Lao PDR overseas to enter into and exit from Laos. Moreover, the Second Category checkpoints are authorized to issue visa on arrival. The Category II of IICPs includes: 
1. Wattay International Airport (Vientiane) 
2. Luang Prabang International Airport 
3. Mittaphab Bridge Check-Point Vientiane - Nongkay (Kingdom of Thailand)

Thus, before entering Laos, foreign nationals are requested to double check whether there is an appropriate valid visa stamped on their passports or not. If not a visa on arrival can be obtained at any of the above Category II checkpoints. To ensure order and regulatory compliance, it is also asked that they enter and exit through the aforementioned IICPs.
 

DISTRICT AUTHORITY RELOCATES PEOPLE FROM PHOU PHANANG

Vientiane's Sikhottabong district authorities plan to remove 61 families living at Phanang Mountain National Conservation Area. The concerned authorities led by the district chief, recently talked to the locals living there to make them understand the government's policy of protecting bio-diversities and reallocation of people living in non-productive areas. The 61 families were encouraged to look for sustainable occupations to replace existing practices of slash-and-burn cultivation and hunting. 

Phou Phanang Mountain is one of seven National Bio-diversity Conservation sites proclaimed by the government. These 61 families settled there just 3-4 years ago when they found that Phou Phanang was abundant with wildlife. These families live on the mountain slope. Most of them are Lao Theung (highlanders) and are involved in slash-and-burn cultivation and hunting. The nearest village in Vienkham village in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane municipality, some 30 kilometers northwest of Vientiane. District authorities plan to fulfil their resettlement plan before the end of the year.
 

  
SEBANGFAI PLAIN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Villagers living along the banks of the Sebangfai River are accustomed to severe rice shortages caused by drought and flood. However, the Sebangfai Plain Development Project is a priority project of the government implemented to mitigate these effects and develop this disaster prone area.

The project spreads across two provinces, covering 20,000 hectares in Khammuan and 10,000 hectares of Savannakhet, and is the biggest irrigation project in central Laos. The Lao government in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) joined together to research and find a way to solve the problem of drought and flood in the Sebangfai area. Moreover the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Department of Irrigation joined with the local administrations to create the Sebangfai Plain Development Project, in three parts, short-term, long-term and the emphasized plan of the government.

The short-term plan involves the installation of irrigation systems at suitable points along the Sebangfai River capable of watering 2,300 hectares of wet rice fields and 2,300 hectares of dry rice fields in six villages.

The government invested a lot of capital into the emphasized plan, buying water pumps for the dry rice production throughout the country, especially in Saibouly district, Savannakhet province where 3,000 hectares of land is now irrigated.

The long-term plan, which aims to guarantee successful rice production in the Sebangfai Plain, includes the Phou Hin Heua Saova, and Vangviengphi projects.

Duration of the project is three years. Construction, by Phonsack Construction Company Ltd. began in 1998 and expected Compaction in the year 2000.

The Phou Hin Heua Saova irrigation system will supply water to around 2,000 hectares of land for 11 villages comprising 1,400 families and 7,500 inhabitants. This project will install three water-pumping stations at Sebangfai Plain in Saibouly district, Savannakhet province. The Vangviengphi irrigation project in Sebangfai district in the southern part of Khammuan province will supply water to 3,000 hectares of agricultural land for eight villages. 
 

  
ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT IN KHAMMUAN

Authorities of Khammuan province recently established a committee called the Ad-hoc committee to control the price of goods and monitor and improve import-export companies. The committee will also manage the buying and selling of currencies among local people. 

After its establishment, the Ad-hoc committee and businessmen within the province held a meeting to discuss ways to control the price of goods, prevent inpatient and introduce documentation of the government's measures to curb inflation.

After the meeting, the Ad-hoc committee divided the staff into three units to monitor the markets in the provincial capital of Thakhek. The committee also opened an office in each market to closely work with traders and watch out for illegal trading, the selling and buying of foreign currencies and goods trading and to prevent illegal importation of goods. 

Each unit has to educate people to understand the government policy on price control and inflation prevention measures. The Ad-hoc committee has agreed to use the provincial commercial service to be the committee's central office.

Checking on import-export companies is nearly complete. The committee will allow companies to import only necessary goods, and the goods imported must be acknowledged prior to the importing date. Goods on which import-export fees must be paid will go through the bank.

This means if the company wants to buy foreign goods they should have a contract and payment papers from the bank.

In regards to exports, the export companies must have a purchase contract with their foreign counterparts. In addition, before goods are delivered, they must be approved by a state bank to certify whether they have been paid for through the bank system. If not. Customs officers at the border checkpoints will not allow the goods through.

The paper stated implementing these measures would assure foreign currencies come through the bank by system and would prevent the circulation of foreign currencies outside the bank.

Those found importing goods illegally will be fined and have their goods seized. If they are found on a second occasion they will have their business licenses revoked.

The provincial authorities give full rights to this Ad-hoc committee to act in all cases in all places they suspect illegal trading is taking place.
 

  
US DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENCE VISITED LAOS

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Robert L. Jones visited Laos. In his capacity as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, responsible for prisoner of War/Missing personnel Affairs, Mr. Jones visited Laos to confer with Lao officials and review the activities of the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting Detachments.

During his trip to Laos, Deputy Assistant Secretary Jones consulted with high-ranking officials on the status at joint efforts in the search for Americans missing in action since the Indochina conflict. DASD Jones met with Vice Foreign Minister Phongsavath Boupha and Deputy Defense Minister Lt. General Ai Soulignaseng. During both meetings DASD Jones expressed the US government's appreciation far the co-operation and assistance of the Lao government and people in this humanitarian matter, with the U.S. government considering this one of its highest national priorities.

DASD Jones and his delegation also visited work site in Savannakhet province where US-Lao technical teams are excavating for remains. They also visited the joint team base camp along Route 9, in Sepon district. This is the 43rd Joint Field Activity to search for Americans unaccounted for in Laos.

Accompanying DASD on the field trip were members of his Staff, and Brigadier General Terry L Tucker, Commander of the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting.
 

LAO-AMERICAN JOINT MIA OPERATION

Between June 08 and July 10, Lao-American technical cooperation teams conducted excavation operations at two aircraft crash sites in the program to account for the remains of American soldiers missing in action (MIA) during the war period in Laos.

The teams excavated two crash sites in Sepon district of Savannakhet province and found debris of aircraft and some pilots possessions. These discoveries will be sent to the United States for further analysis.

This was the fourth joint operation of the 1998-1999 cooperation plan and the 65th joint MIA operation in Laos.

The excavation received cooperation from the local administrations and people. The joint operation is in implementation of the constant humanitarian policy of the government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the 1998-1999 cooperation and in response to the requests of the government of the United States of America as well as families of Americans missing in action during the war.
 

LAO-THAI-VIETNAMESE COOPERATION ON ROUTE NO.8

A meeting of the Committee for the Promotion of Economic and Cultural Cooperation on Route No 8 representing the three countries of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Lao PDR and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was opened in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.

Taking part in the meeting were, on the Thai side, officials from the provinces of Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai; on the Lao side, officials from the provinces of Khammuan and Bolikhamsay; and the Vietnamese side, officials from the provinces of Ha Tinh and Nghe An.

The meeting reached a consensus to inform their higher authorities about the proposals and issues from the discussion, including the promotion of cooperation in economic and cultural development among these neighboring provinces of the three countries, which share Route No.8. Other issues included trade and the organization of trade fairs as well as meetings and cooperation among business people of the three countries.

Concerning tourism, the meeting discussed the opening of Route No. 8 to overland tourism from Nakhon Phanom through Khammuan and Bolikhamsay of Laos and on to Ha Tinh and Nghe An in Vietnam.

Next year Nghe An province will host a sports carnival and will invite teams from provinces of Laos and Thailand.
 

LAO-JAPANESE CO-OPERATION THROUGH JICA 

Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) organized a press tour on July to introduce JICA's activities in the Lao PDR to the Lao media. The tour also provided media outlets more information about the organization's tasks, functions, role and achievements of JICA.

JICA opened a permanent office in the Lao PDR in 1996, but has been working here a lot longer. Since the opening of the office, cooperation has become closer and even wider. Two of JICA’ s newer programs to which the press was introduced were the Senior Volunteer Program and the Local Development Program.

The Senior Volunteer Program (SVP) aims to actively support senior volunteers aged between 40 to 69 years old, working for national building and human development in developing countries. The volunteers possess knowledge and an abundance of experience in a wide range or fields. Five senior volunteers now work in Laos.

The Local Development Program (LDP) started in 1998 as a model program to improve welfare with the participation of local people in the partnership with non
Governmental organizations. JICA ran four LDP projects in Laos last year and will continue this year.

An observation tour group of secondary school teachers from Japan joined the press tour to witness JICA activities in the Lao PDR, and will go on to visit other sites and other places in Laos.
 

  
AUSTRALIAN YOUTH AMBASSADORS

A memorandum of Subsidiary Arrangement on the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program was signed in July 1999 by Vice Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and the Australian Ambassador to the Lao PDR.

The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program will promote understanding and goodwill between Australian youth and the people of the Lao PDR.

The goal of the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program is to strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and the Lao PDR and to make a positive contribution to development in Lanai PDR through the transfer of skills by young Australian graduates.

The program will also foster links between the government of the Lao PDR and the corporate and education sectors of Australia.

Australian Youth Ambassadors will be Australians aged between 18-30 years, skilled professionals from a business or educational background. They will be identified in Australia through assessment and training.

Volunteers under the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program will undertake assignment in the Lao PDR of up to 12 months. Host organizations in the Lao PDR will be encouraged to identify possible assignments that are driven by development needs.

The host organizations will benefit from the skill development provided by the volunteer placements.

It is planned that the first Australian Youth Ambassadors to the Lao P.D.R will commence appointments in September 1999. The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program is funded from an Australian Government Global Program. This funding is in addition to the bilateral program and the Australian Government's four-year, A$ 56 million bilateral pledge to the Government of the Lao PDR.
 

  
US SUPPORTS UXO-LAO

The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane presented mine detecting equipment worth US$ 390,067 to UXO LAO at the July graduation of 44 new demining technicians and surveyors from the UXO-LAO National Training Center at Ban Ilay, Nasaythong district Vientiane municipality.

The state of the art equipment will be used in the provinces by de-miners working in the held. It consists of 162 complete mine detector sets, with a full range of accessories. The US Charge d'Affaires a.i. Margaret McMillion presented the equipment to Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Mr. Somphanh Phengkhammy as one of her last official acts before leaving Laos to take up a new assignment. Ms Karen Stewart, the newly arrived Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, and UNDP Resident Representative, Kari NordheimLarsen, also attended the ceremony.

The US has supported the UXO Lao program since 1996 with a commitment of over US$ 12 million, including the financing and provision of US military experts to train and equip UXO LAO field personnel in demining techniques. The assistance was coordinated by the Humanitarian Demining Office of the US Embassy.
 

JAPAN CONTINUES TO ASSIST LAOS

Japan has approved a grant of 1.29 billion yen for the repair and upgrade of Road No. 9, which runs from Savannakhet, central Laos, eastward to Vietnam.

The approval was contained in a note of exchange signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Hiroomi Sakai of Japan to the Lao PDR.

The aid for the renovation of the road is of great importance to the development of the communications infrastructure of Laos, and in contribution to the development of road links with other Mekong sub-regional countries.

In July the government of Japan has also granted of US$ 79,682 to the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos, under the scheme of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects. The grant assistance will be used to construct a training center for electronic repair techniques.

To assist the people in Oudomsay province, the Government of Japan has decided to extend to the Agriculture and Forestry Office, under the Scheme of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Project US$ 60,690 for the construction of irrigation facilities in Nam Kham, Oudomsay province.

The irrigation facilities will have the capacity to supply water to about 57 hectares of rice fields. 
 

  
ITALY SUPPORTS FOR DENGUE PREVENTION

The first Italian project under the Emergency Dengue Prevention Project is soon to start implementation of its activities in five provinces in Laos using a 260,000 Euro budget.

The project has been approved by the Lao government and activities will be carried out in Bolikhamsay, Khammuan, Savannakhet, Champassak and Luang Prabang.

On June 25, on behalf of the Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (IMPE) and CESVI Co-operation and Development, an Italian NGO, Deputy of Director of IMPE, and Project Manager of CESVI, signed and exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding. 
 

  
CANADA DONATES MEDICINES TO LAO HOSPITAL

The Lao-Canadian Health and Education Foundation donated US$ 2,000 in medications to the Mother and Child Health Institute in Vientiane.

Since 1993, the Canadian Health and Education Foundation has offered its assistance to 13 provinces around the country.

The official said this was the first time that the foundation has assisted the Vientiane medical facility.
 

  
JAPAN GRANTS ASSISTANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOSPITAL

The Ministry of Public Health and the Japanese government signed a memorandum for the construction management of the new Setthathirath Hospital in Vientiane. The hospital building is a grant aid from the Japanese government to the Lao government. 

The building will be divided into two phases. The first phase starts this month until March of the year 2000 and the second phase will start in April to the end of the year 2000. The value of the new Setthathirath Hospital is 81,360,000 yen.

  
NARCOTICS BURNED AT ANNUAL ANTI-DRUGS 

The Government burned 364 kg of illicit narcotics at the That Luang Esplanade on June 6 to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse.

At the drug burning ceremony, officials set fire to a wide variety of illegal drugs -including 12.25 kg of raw opium, 232 kg of cannabis, 3.15 kg of heroin and 136,489 tablets of methamphetamine. The amount of narcotics brought to burn at the ceremony was much less than the amount of 1,200 kg burned last year.

Last year the amount of narcotic drugs seized was more than 2,000 kg while this year the figure was 1,000 kg. However, the amount of heroin seized reached 26 kilograms or five kilograms more than last year's figure. For the first time, 52 kg of morphine was seized.

Some interpreted the changed figures as an indication of increased effectiveness of cooperation in drug control between the Lao government and the United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP). More than 400 offenders were arrested.

"Despite its economic difficulties and lack of resources, the government of the Lao PDR is consistently determined to put an end to this scourge by concentrating its efforts on controlling poppy cultivation and opium consumption among ethnic people," said LCDC President, in his speech to address the ceremony.

The areas of opium production among ethnic minorities also gradually decreased. Compared with 1996, the amount of opium production has decreased from 140 tons to 123 tons.

In the field of demand reduction, preventive education is a priority policy of the government to be carried out in parallel with treatment and rehabilitation of opium addicts. The expansion of the community development and improvement in primary health care systems were also effective measures for demand reduction.

Because of its concern about the use of the country as a transit point for illicit drug trafficking, the government was paying more attention to law enforcement aspects by increasing anti-narcotic networks in the provinces.

Another measure taken by LCDC was the training of law enforcement officers in various parts of the country.

To show its intent regarding the narcotics problem, the government of the Lao PDR became a party to the UN 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Laos also ratified the UN 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 1997.

At the regional level, the government signed - the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) along with Thailand, Myanmar, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia to build a regional framework in suppressing drug production and trafficking.

A recent meeting of the MOU member countries issued a Vientiane Declaration to fight illicit trafficking of drugs, Amphetamine Type Stimulants and their precursors. The Development of the Cross-Border Cooperation Project was also signed in that meeting.

The rapid increase of Amphetamine Type Stimulants in Asia has also been felt in Laos. Laos now suffers from the spillover effects of the transit traffic. 
 

1998-99 EDUCATION PLAN

Implementation of the education development plan for the 1998-1999 academic year has experienced many difficulties, particularly the economic hardship being experienced by teachers, education officials and students.

Despite the hardships and stringency, each education division is pushing the education development to achieve new quality step by step. Special attention has been paid to the improvement of the quality and quantity of education and the extension of the education network, with a focus on the development of teachers, curriculum and textbooks, and teaching and study methods.

This was disclosed at the opening ceremony of the annual national conference on education. The conference drew 44 education administrators from the provinces, the municipality, and the special zone across the country, with directors of departments in the Ministry of Education, the Rector of the National University of Laos, the directors of eight pedagogical colleges and teachers' training schools, and guests.

The conference expressed satisfaction over the provision of school materials and school construction, the overhauling of the organizational structure, and the improvement of working methods, which were praised as new factors in the development of national education in the immediate future and in the long run.

The 5-day conference drawn lessons from the past and evaluated the implementation of the education development plan for the 1998-1999 academic year, particularly as the 20th century draws to a close. It will also discuss education Strategies for the early 21st century, particularly the periods between 2001 and 2005, and 2001 and 2020 and an education development plan for the 2001-2005 period. 
 

 
AMBASSADOR FOR INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VISIT LAOS

Robert A. Seiple, US ambassador at large for International Religious Freedom visited the Laos. During his visit Ambassador Seiple met with Lao officials to discuss the International Religious Freedom Act within the context of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Ambassador Seiple also visited several places of worship in Vientiane. He spent the past 11 years as president of World Vision Inc. the world's largest privately funded relief and development agency. Ambassador Seiple's visit to Laos followed a three-day visit to Vietnam.
 

  
1998-1999 ACADEMIC YEAR PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY

On July 8 the Foundation for the Promotion of Education held a prize-giving ceremony for the 1998-1999 academic year. The Honorary President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Education, Somsavat Lengsavad, presented scholarships for future study to 18 students of the Year-3 Secondary School, and 60 primary school students who are good students but lack funds for their study.

Scholarships were also awarded to 30 high achieving university students who also lack funds to further their education.

The foundation does not only award scholarships to students but also congratulates exemplary teachers in the general education system. Eighteen teachers were hailed for their teaching achievements.

The foundation made a contribution of seven million kip for the construction and repair of schools in remote areas, and presented 100 school uniforms to ethnic students in the northern province of Xieng Khuang.

In recognition of the donations, the foundation presented certificates of merits to donors for the foundation. On that day, over 100 donors donated 223 million kip and there were also a number of donations in foreign currencies.

The largest donations came from the Canadian Voluntary Group for the Promotion of Education, who put up US$ 4,000; the Trio Laos Company, with US$ 1,000; the PNG Company (Hong Kong) US$ 1,000; and the Save the Children Fund (Norway) US$ 1,000.  This was the third year for such scholarship presentations.