PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRACY UNITY PROSPERITY

EMBASSY OF THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
2222 S. Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20008
Tel: (202) 332-6416
Fax: (202) 332-4923

NEWS BULLETIN

1. Status of Human Rights in Laos

2. Roundtable Meeting on Human Rights

3. Laos Moves Closer to MFN

4. Land-Linked not Land-Locked

5. Lao Top 10: A Mysterious and Unique Culture

6. Social Security Workshop

7. Singapore Helps Train Lao Government Officials

8. Road No 9's Memorial to Suffering Soldiers

9. Training Program to Fight With Chemical Precursor

10. Future of Mekong River Communication Discussed

11. Japan to Further Support Economic Development in Laos

12. UNDP Put US.$ 3 million Support Behind Sayaboury Province

13. SIDA,UNDP Joint Hands to Develop Rural Infrastructure

14. Land Titling Expands

15. Lao-US Technical Officials Meet on Accounting for U.S. MIAs

16. Lao-American Project Support Weaving Business

17. Phou Khoune District Has Access to Electricity

18. Round Table Meeting in Lao History Book

19. Canada Supports Environmental Education Video Program Project

20. IMF. Continues Support for Economic Reform<

21. Over 200,000 Foreign Tourists Visit Laos in the First Six Months

22. ADB Approves Loan

23. UNDP Boost for Lao Tourism

24. Laos to Get Access to Digital Satellite System

The Lao People's Democratic Republic, while making efforts to improve the living standard of its multi-ethnic people, is respectful of human rights. On the domestic field, the Lao Constitution guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms of the Lao citizens, namely:
- equality of ethnic groups and individuals before the Law, irrespective of their sex,social status, education and faith;
- right to education;
- right to work and engage in occupations which are not forbidden by law;
- freedom of movement and residence;
- right to be protected against arbitrary arrest;
- right to lodge complaints and petitions and to propose ideas to relevant state organizations in connection with issues pertaining to the rights and interests of collectives or of their individuals;
- right and freedom to believe or not to believe in religions;
- freedom of speech, press and assembly; of associations and of demonstrations which are not contrary to the law;
- freedom to conduct research , to apply advanced sciences, techniques and technologies; to create artistic and literary works and to engage in cultural activities which are not contrary to the law.

At the same time, the Lao PDR is signatory of several international human rights instruments, namely:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
- International Convention on the Elimination of All forms of racial discrimination;
- International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crimes of Apartheid;
- Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide;
- Convention of the Rights of the child;
- Convention on the Elimination of All Form of Discrimination against Women;
- Convention on Political Rights of Women;

The International Community, concerned by violation of Human Rights in different part of the world, has established the UN-High Commissioner for human rights with the view to investigating the matter.
As far as Laos is concerned, being a small country with limited personnel and financial resources, we have a more simple mechanism. The Lao Government has now designated the Department of Treaties and Law, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to serve as the focal point for cooperation with the international community on all matters pertaining to human rights. This action was deemed appropriate to ensure that any inquires are handled expeditiously and to ensure that confusion does not exist regarding conditions Laos.

The Lao Red Cross Society (LRC) opened a roundtable meeting in Vientiane to promote knowledge of the international rules for the protection of the human lives in case of armed conflicts also known as the international law of human rights. The meeting was supported by the international committee of the Re Cross' Religion Delegation for East Asia. This meeting brought together representatives from various government departments and central mass organizations in Vientiane. During the meeting, the participants discussed actual problems with enforcing the international law of humanrights and the mandate and role of the International Red Cross.
The first meeting of this kind was opened in Vientiane, when the regional delegation was based in Hanoi. The second workshop opened in Pakse, southern Laos, in 1996, exclusively for LRC officials. Laos has been a party to the four Geneva conventions (1949) since 1956 and their additional protocols since 1980, 1883 and 1989.
Laos is the only country in South-east Asia which is a party to all the conventions and their additional protocols. On political developments in the world, armed conflicts and wars between countries and factions,and confrontation between different blocs, which posed a menace to human lives and interests. At present time that menace still existed in the world and was dangerous. All these developments affected the human rights.
On human rights and the international law of human rights, it cited the right of expression and the right to education. Both the international law of human rights and the human rights had undergone an evolution since the Second World War. Now there exist two systems of human rights, universal and regional: the regional system of human rights in Asia and the inter-American system of human rights. Their common objective is to protect human life.
The participants was told about challenges for the International RedCross including its structure and activities, the role of theinternational committee in the region, and the implementation and application of the international law of human rights.
The role of the IRC is to protect and assist refugees and victims of war, armed conflicts or natural catastrophes. Assistance has been provided in the material and medical forms. In times of' peace, the international organization gives structural support, promotes respect of the international law of human rights and disseminates this law.
At regional level, priorities are given to the implementation and dissemination of this international law, in collaboration with the national authorities, measures to ensure its implementation, and the creation of national commissions to give advice and assistance to the government in this area.

While in mid-August the Lao DPR and the United States concluded negotiations on bilateral trade agreement and bilateral investment treaty , in July the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and the Senate Finance Committee approved permanent, unconditional most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment to the products of Laos, i.e., establish normal trade relations. The legislation had set forth six congressional findings that support removing Laos from the list of countries denied MFN treatment:
1. Laos is striving to shed centralized government control of its economy in favor of market-oriented reforms;
2. Extension of MFN status would help Laos to develop its economy based on free-market principles and to become competitive in the global market place;
3. Establishing normal commercial relations with Laos will promote US exports to the rapidly growing Southeast Asia region and expand opportunities for US business and investment in Laos;
4. US and Lao commercial interests would benefit from a commercial agreement between the two countries that provides for market access and the protection of intellectual property rights;
5. Economic reform in Laos is increasingly important as that country integrates in ASEAN Free Trade Area and accedes to the World Trade Organization (WTO) ;
6. Expanding bilateral trade relations may promote further progress by Laos on human rights and democratic rule and help Laos adopt regional and world trading rules and principles.
The legislation would grant Laos MFN treatment only after the trade agreement obligating reciprocal MFN treatment between Laos and the US has entered into force.

With Laos joining ASEAN in July 1997, there has been much talk of Laos no longer being land-locked but land-linked. The major North-South highway in Laos, Route 13, is the "backbone" trade route that plays a vital role in the country becoming land-linked.
After successfully building the Friendship Bridge, the Australian government and people wanted to further their aid program. In a national effort to ensure a paved road from North to South, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, Japan, Sweden, and Australia have each assumed responsibility for parts of Route 13. Australia will be rehabilitating the three largest bridges.
Early in 1995 AusAID working in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications, Transport, Posts and Construction (MCTPC), appointed Maunsell and Snowy Mountain Electricity Authority (SMEC) to supervise the project which was completely designed in Laos. The construction contract was awarded to John Holland Construction and Engineering Pty Ltd in October 1996. The construction cost for the three bridges will total AUD$ 11 million and cover a 24-month construction period with the expected completion date in July 1998.
The construction began on October 10, 1996. There are seven Australian engineers working alongside Lao technicians and 60 employees from Vientiane and the local area. They are abiding by international standards which are familiar to each of them, so the work is progressing without any problems.
The steel and concrete Xe Bangnuane bridge will cover a total length of 139 meters. The 10-meter wide deck will have two traffic lanes and two pedestrian walkways. This bridge project is 55 km from Saravan and 115 km from Savannakhet. Construction is more than 30% underway and will be completed by January 1998.
In addition to building these bridges, the project has worked to build the capacity of Lao government staff to design large bridges. The MCTPC has received considerable training and equipment to improve their capacity to design and supervise such construction. Related to the bridge construction, AusAID also provided about AUD$ 250,000 for clearance of unexploded ordnance in the area.

The Lao way of life and culture are unique and colorful. They are progressing along with the rest of the world and never out of date. That's why the Lao people need to preserve the culture and present it to the world.
Laos is a mysterious country and still preserves the great heritage it inherited from its ancestor, a unique way of living, ancient tradition,impressive artistic style, religion and also black magic. A "top 10" ofunique Lao cultural items which cannot be found elsewhere:
The Lao greet each other with a traditional nob, gesture of placing both palms together and touching the tip of the fingers to the chin with slightly bowing the reads a traditional bow rather than shaking hands like westerners.
Lao food includes a lot of colorful dishes, a diversity of food preparation and many methods for cooking. A uniquely Lao food is sticky rice (khaonio) which is kept in a bamboo container (kateeb), often served with fermented fish. Lao people traditionally sit on the floor to eat. Food is laid on a tray to be eaten ( pa khao) which is a short bamboo table.
Lao people drink a lot of fantastic concoctions, produced through distilling and fermentation ( Lao hai or Lao satho ). Lao khao is a white whiskey made from sticky rice. A unique way of drinking is "Lao Chok Deao" which means only one glass is used by a whole group of drinkers.
Lao houses stall on stills, and people sit on the mat which is plac eon the floor. A small jar of water and a coconut dipper placed in front of the house for passers-by to drink freely from. Lao people will offer guests a glass of water and ask the guest to stay for a meal. Heuan-Sam Nam-See is the Lao formula for keeping house. It means you should keep water for drinking for daily use and water of the heart (have a forgiving and generous heart).
Lao entertainment is unique, with diverse local performance and many different types of musical instruments. The khean is the national musical instrument made from small bamboo pipes. The lamvong is a popular dance easy to join and enjoy. People get into pairs and dance in large cycle.
The Lao well-wishing ceremony ba-see is one where white strings are tied around the wrist of someone to bless them or wish them success and happiness. It is used for farewells parties, the birth of a baby,marriage ceremony and new year festivals. Cooked sticky rice with aboiled egg is used as an offering, along with a cake, candy or a cup of liquor.
Lao clothing comes in many fashions, since there are more than 68 ethnic tribes, each with it own traditional way of life and clothing.
Pha salong, a simple tubular skirt, is sometimes worn by men and a sinh,or Lao skirt, is often worn by women and is the national dress style.
Lao women often wear silk clothes with artistic designs. Pha khao ma is a cloth used for many purpose including as a loin cloth.
Lao adornment has many unique and beautiful feature, such as braided hair in a top-knot and golden hair pins or a flower. Lao ladies adore golden jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, belts and rings. Some tribes like to wear silver chains and coins.
Lao tradition is tied up with Theravada Buddhism, and Lao people practice this with a mix of Brahminism and black magic. Some people still believe in animal spirits and gods . Heed-sipsong, khog-sipsee refer to the 12 traditions and 14 customs, including festivals, followed throughout the year.
Beautiful Lao symbols, such as dok champa, or frangipani, the national symbol. Its beautiful shape has a distinct character, its white petal, represent a pure heart, and it has a charming smell.
Laos is rich in natural resources and has the potential for tourism, but it is still largely unknown to the world. Whenever foreigners come to Laos, they don't want to leave and never forget Lao people's manners and disposition.

In July, members of the Social Security Steering Committee met to discuss the future of social security in the Lao PDR. The members are representatives of workers' organisations, employers' organisations and other involved ministries.
The workshop was facilitated by the social security project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and by the Belgian Government. The project provided a social security policy expert, who made sure decisions during the workshop were in accordance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) and labour standards. Until now, only public servants in Lao PDR have been covered by a social security scheme. There is, however, an urgent need to cover private sector workers as well. The steering committee identified the future social security coverage of the private sector as a priority.
The committee would like to have a decree for the private ready in 1998 and to have a social security scheme for the private sector operating in 1999. But before this is possible there will be need to be consulted with all involved parties. The social security decree for the private sector will based on the labour Law and will protect workers in case of death, sickness, maternity, invalidity and in case of work injury.
At a later stage workers will also be able to build up their pension rights. The social security scheme for the private sector will be organized under an autonomous organization, supervised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. The organization will be run by a board of directors with equal representation from workers, employers and government. Initially, the coverage would only be compulsory for workers in enterprises with 10 workers and more. Smaller enterprises will be able to join the scheme on a voluntary basis.
Workshop participants did not neglect the long-term perspective in determining the future of social security for the Lao PDR. It is the view of the steering committee members that at some time in the future, there has to be a social security right for all Lao citizens. This goal can only be reached gradually. But by deciding on a course the steering committee has planted a seed that may once provide for the social well-being of generations of Lao to come.

Twenty Lao officials, funded by the Singapore government, and UNDP, returned to Laos, after having completed a short term English language training course and also on how Singaporeans developed their country as an ASEAN member. Firstly, the group studied English at the Regional English Language Centre (RELC), Language Teaching Institute. The subject studied include grammar, writing integrated skills, presentation skills,cultural awareness and the technique on how to help on their implementation of their duties.
All the trainees came away well satisfied with their course, and much gratitude to the Singapore government and the UNDP who made it possible.The result of the training was graded as being average of more than fifty percent in knowledge gained, as shown by comparison of the first and last examinations.
Secondly, the Singapore government also provided the group with chances to visit tourism area, and important organizations. Each organization gave detail of their structure and operation in the past and future, by very effective presentation. The presenter always gives time for questions and answers, and for sharing of ideas between Lao officials and presenter's colleagues.
The Managing Director of the Singapore Trade Development Board (STDB)Consulting Group said that thirty years ago, Singapore's income was lower than the Lao PDR now, if compared by the gross domestic product. There were still slum dwellers living in huts with rusty zinc roofs. After Singapore attained independence, the government made reformations to develop all economic sectors.
The investment policy was very important for the development of the country and the investment law should be strong enough real for all the factors of economic administration. The private sector is the engine for the development of a country. When. many people are rich, the country is developed, because rich people have to pay their business tax to the government.
But care must be taken not to give the main sectors such as electricity, water, petroleum and land to private operators. If these sectors are under private control, the government might get major problems because the majority of the population were farmers or small merchants.
Singapore is a small country and does not have natural resources, but how did Singaporean survive and develop their country? Actually, Singapore imports every thing from neighboring countries and Singaporeans are middle merchants import raw material to produce and re-export to the world market.
"Laos has a chicken and egg problem", the perpetual question of which comes first, the chicken or the egg? This means that we have just opened the door to market - economy, and we might become an economic colony of our neighboring countries. We need to be careful about that. We just try to keep our country's stability and attract more private investors to invest more and more, but conserve our precious ecological environment.
When the investors invest in Laos, they should train Lao citizens to be workers before and after opening their factories and facilities, and teach all the technology they have brought with them to set up business in Laos. The government should establish vocational education schools at all levels to supply workers and bring the technology from abroad to train Lao people as much as possible. If implemented properly, Laos can even exceed its development target.

The area in and around road number 9, along the Lao-Vietnamese border,saw the most heavy fighting during the period of Indochina war when Laos and Vietnam co-operated for national liberation.
Both countries' soldiers fought bravely and sacrificed their lives for their motherlands, and the Truong Son (Vietnamese) or Phou Luong mountain, which straddles the border, was covered with their bodies. In memory of these soldiers, both the Lao and Vietnamese governments have built memorials and there are many tombs. A United Struggle Memorial was opened on July 15 in Xieng Khouang.
On July 22, the Vietnamese government opened a victory memorial for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives along the road number 9, and to pray for their spirits. It reminded people that it's been 50 years since Vietnam lost its independence and the people became slaves, after which they fought for reunion.
A Victory Memorial for soldiers who were killed along road number 9 now stands magnificently against the sky in Quanq Tri's land. It is a symbolic highlight to prove the pure mind and true adoration of living Vietnamese for those who sacrificed their lives in the fight for independence and the lives of their people. The memorial symbolizes the services performed and the glorious acts of the soldiers who participated, and would be a model for all the Vietnamese tribes to remember the favor their troops had done them. The memorial includes the bones and ashes of the dead Vietnamese voluntary fighters who sacrificed their lives in Laos. It also symbolizes the profound unified fight and the special solidarity between the Lao and Vietnamese people.

"Put out the fire before the wind comes", is the motto for a four-day Training Program on Precursor Control for Law Enforcement Officers in last August, in Vientiane. This means controlling precursor of chemical substances before turning opium into heroin and methamphetamine.
Even though the Lao PDR has not been seriously confronted with the problems related to this type of drug, the country is being increasingly used as a transit point for trafficking this drug. In recent year, Southeast Asia still ranked among the first in terms of opium and heroin production and drug abuse in this part of the world was on a rise.
Besides the two types of narcotic drugs, Asian region is still faced with other kinds of narcotics, particularly methamphetamine which is locally known as "crazy drug" or "Yaba".
This is a daily problem for the Lao neighboring countries, and experts believe that this type of narcotic will become the most dangerous drug in the next century. Therefore to stop clandestine laboratories from obtaining these precursors, one must prevent the diversion of these products from chemical companies. This required effective control by government agencies in charge of the chemical industries. At the same time, police, customs and other law enforcement agencies have to intercept those precursors which have been diverted from legitimate trade and are on their way to clandestine laboratories.
It was very difficult to control the chemical precursors because all precursors are available and useful for industrial production. And almost all precursors have legitimate uses. Therefore they are manufactured and distributed legally. At present, quite a number of them have wide industrial uses and are often required in large quantities.
It is therefore not surprising that virtually all precursors seized by authorities were originally diverted from legitimate chemical companies.
According to the agenda of the program, the participants were aware of the legal measures for controlling chemical precursors, the trafficking of the chemical precursors from the points of factories, investigation techniques, tracking of the chemical precursor movement, intelligence work and other lessons dealing with the control of the precursors of chemical substances.
This training course was part of a program to further strengthen control of precursors in the countries of the region. Two similar training courses were just completed in China and Myanmar in June of this year.

The future of the Mekong River Commission was discussed at the International Consultation Workshop in Vientiane. The workshop focused on the discussion of the proposed UNDP support program to the Mekong River Commission (MCR) from now to the year 2001.
The Embassies of previous donor countries, including Japan, Sweden, France, Korea (Republic) and Malaysia were invited to the workshop to discuss ways and types of support. The workshop also discussed the implementation of an agreement signed in 1995 in Chiang Rai, Thailand by four riparian countries of the lower Mekong Basin including Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The 1995 agreement talked about co-operation in a frank and constructive manner for sustainable development, utilization, conservation and management of the water and related resources of the Mekong River. Laos which is still one of the world's least developed countries has been doing its best to contribute to the effective implementation of the agreement.
According to the UNDP summary report prepared by a team of consultants from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and International Environmental Management Co Ltd, the UNDP wishes to support the MRC specifically, although not exclusively, in the provision of regional leadership on sustainable basin-wide development, particularly as it relates to water resources, as well as other natural and human resources.
The overall objective of the study is to formulate a program for co-operation between UNDP and the MRC over five years. The objectives are: conduct an institutional assessment of the MRC and the National Mekong River Committees to evaluate their capacity to meet the terms as specified in the 1995 MRC Agreement; review and evaluate the MRC 1997 work program and long-term vision; define MRC management issues andneeds as a basis for identifying appropriate support options for UNDP; define MRC's present situation in view of key economic, environmental, social and human resource development issues; and provide a draft five-year program of co-operation between UNDP and MRC.
The UNDP has been actively involved in the Mekong Basin since 1957 and has been committed to ongoing technical and financial support for the MRC since its inception in 1995.

The government of Japan will continue to support Laos for the Mekong River development and human resources development. The government of Japan also appreciates the Lao PDR for its successful effort in becoming a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), thanks to its internal stability, good relationship with neighboring countries and sound administration of the state economy.
The cooperative relations between Laos and Japan was marked by a visit to Japan in 1992 by President Nouhak Phounsavanh. Japan was the first leading donor for Laos. In the past the government of Japan has given assistance to Laos for various projects, such as road and bridge construction, human resources development, public bus services and water works.
With the support from Japan, Laos is able to realize many projects, especially the Pakse bridge construction project which will be funded by a Japanese loan. In the future Japan would also assist Laos in the construction of a bridge across the Mekong river between Laos' Savannakhet province and Thailand's Moukdahan province, and Route 9. The country has relied on Route 9, built over ten years ago, to transport goods to and from foreign countries via Danang Sea Port in Vietnam. Now this route badly needs rehabilitation.
Japan provided support not only in agricultural and social areas but also in science and technology, such as irrigation projects at Km6 in Vientiane and in Savannakhet, and the Nam Xong river dam. The Japanese funded projects as being successfully completed in time and beneficial for Laos in the immediate and long term future. These projects helped Lao people in gradually easing poverty so they should learn from the Japanese people their hard working and patriotic spirits.
The Japanese government also presented " non-project grant aid" to purchase merchandise requested by the Lao government. The money made from selling the goods will then go into the Lao government's budget, which in turn will be used for executing priority programs of Laos. The new project provided the Lao government with 500 million yen (or US.$5 million ) for 1995-96 and 1.5 billion yen (or US.$15 million ) for 1996-97.
The aid has been used for buying steel rods, cement, petroleum. Proceeds from this exercise have been used for prioritized programs within the socio-economic development efforts of Laos.

Hundreds of families in Sayaboury province will get training and support to start small-scale business with a new US.$ 1.68 million project assisted by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It is one of two projects agreements worth a total of US.$ 3.1 million signed in Vientiane in last July between the Governor of Sayaboury Province and the UNDP. The second project will focus on strengthening the provincial authorities in managing socio-economic development over the next four years.
Both of these projects are important for Sayaboury , because they will help better serve their people and enable them to overcome poverty. It will be the first time the province will be directly managing the projects. The people of Sayaboury have a lot of opportunities with its rich in natural resource base and proximity to neighboring Thailand. At the same time, the people face the challenge of overcoming poverty and accessing those opportunities to bring about maximum benefits and minimum losses to themselves as well as their children.
Focusing on families, the Income Generation Project will provide 500 households with training and market support for cottage industries and small-scale business including agro-processing. Local retail shops, non-timber forest products, tourism and handicrafts.
Focusing on governance, the Strengthening Economic and Social Management Capacity Project (US.$ 1.455 million) will train staff of the Sayaboury administration in budget management, socio-economic development and investment planning and in coordinating development assistance from various donors. This UNDP support is in line with the national policy to devolve authority for development. This will work hand-in-hand with other UNDP-assisted project in Sayaboury focusing on micro-finance, fish raising, irrigated agriculture training, and rural infrastructure planning, and integrated rural development. The signed project build on the ideas introduced at special donor round tables co-UNDP hosted in Sayaboury, Oudomsay and Sekong provinces in November 1996 and March 1997.

Rural infrastructure planning in Luang Prabang and Khammouane provinces is to get a US$ 275,000 boost from the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (SIDA). The grant is part of SIDA's contribution of US$ 22 million for the comprehensive development of the rural road sector in Oudomsay, Khammouane and Luang Prabang provinces. The project is also designed to build the capacity of national government staff and the local private sector in the planning, construction and maintenance of roads.
SIDA's US$ 275,000 will be integrated into an ongoing project executed by the Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction (MCTPC) with financial support of US$ 1.2 million from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and technical assistance from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The project, the Integrated Rural Accessibility Planning or "IRAP" project, is strengthening capacity at the provincial, district and village levels to plan for rural roads and other infrastructure services. The aim is to improve rural access and the plans that come out of the IRAP process will used to identify road investments that will be assisted by SIDA.
Lack of access is a fundamental cause of poverty. Improving access to services means rural people will get better health care and education,potable sources of water and transport links to markets and district centers. Better access also means that people can make more use of social services, and create the opportunity to devote more time to productive activities like income generation and child care.
The IRAP project is looking at the accessibility need and transport demands of rural households. It identifies solutions for overcoming access problems and recommends ways to improve access through a better distribution of facilities such as water supplies, schools and health centers. It currently operates in Oudomsay, Luang Namtha, Savannakhet,Sekong, Sayaboury and Xiengkhouang provinces.

A land titling project in four areas will be started in November this year, according to an agreement signed in September between the Department of Land and Housing Management of the Ministry of Finance and the Finnmap Company of Finland.
According to the agreement, Vientiane municipality as well as Savannakhet, Champassack and Vientiane provinces will be marked in the map after the project completed.. The Australian government has granted US $215,000 to be used for the aerial photography which is expected to be completed in February next year. The project aims to facilitate the establishment of documents for the owners of each piece of land. Since July of this year, another part of the project has been underway. This part entails groundwork involving the measurement of each piece of land and the survey of the owners, establishing the ownership thereof.
Under this project, about 3,000 ha of land mostly in the crowded areas in Vientiane municipality, Vientiane and Savannakhet provinces and about 5,000 ha in Champassak will be photographed. Once the photographs have been completed, the project will choose a company to draw the maps. At present, more than ten companies had already applied to draft the maps.
The photography will be on a scale of 1: 16,000 while 1:2 000 and 1: 1 000 for the maps. If all runs according to schedule, the project should take about seven years.

A meeting of technical specialists on accounting for Americans still missing in action (MIAs) in Laos from the war was held in Vientiane in August. The purpose was to evaluate the past cooperation and to plan for the 1997-1998 joint program.
Implementation of the 1996-1997 cooperative plan of field surveys and excavation brought significant results, including remains, identification materials and aircraft wreckage, all of which are helpful to obtaining answers for the POW/MIA families.
Also reviewed were the humanitarian projects that the United States provided to assist the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The aid includes renovation of nine schools built with the US aid in the provinces of Houaphanh, Xienkhouang, Khammouane, Savannakhet, Saravane, and Champassack. The tenth school is now under construction in the southern province of Attopeu. Other humanitarian projects include the renovation of the Sepone District Hospital of and medical assistance in regularly provided in conjunction with all joint field activities.
The two sides agreed that the cooperative effort has steadily improved since its inception in 1985 and has been successful. Both sides also agreed that the process will continue in the context of the Lao government's consistent policy of humanitarian cooperation.

The Lao-American Integrated Rural Development Project in Viengthon district, Houaphanh province, early this month, presented 1.6 million kip to promote weaving in the district. The project gave the money to support the weaving businesses of 19 women in the district, as part of a project to provide stable jobs and income for women. In late August, the project also presented 3.55 million kip, through the Lao Women's Union of Houameuang district, to women in the villages of Nam Yong and Meuang Peun involved in weaving.

From now on Phou Khoune district, 130 Km. south of Luangprabang town, now has access to electricity. The electrification of Phou Khoune district has been achieved by means of a grounding system through high voltage wire called Shieldwire Line (SWL) system. Since this is the first time that SWL is introduced in the country, Lao technicians have had a chance to study and practice at the same time.
The SWL system project, worth one billion kip, is funded by the Lao government. The project covers the length of Road No.13 North, starting from Ileut village at the Phou Pha escarpment, Vang Vieng district, Vientiane province, through Kasy district, to Phou Khoune and Xieng Ngeun district, Luangprabang province. At present, 36 transformers have been installed at 36 points. However, so far, only seven of 47 villages have access to electricity.

The roundtable meeting for archivists documenting Lao history was held in the Ministry of Information and Culture in last August 21. The participants discussed the background of Laos, and adapted the content of the first Lao history book to suit the technical rules. The research on the Lao history had been carried out for a long time. But, due to the lack of advice and prevailing conditions, only three volumes of Lao history had been written. Moreover, Volume I and Volume 2 still needed more work before they could be printed.

Canada recently announced a grant in support of a project aimed at translating environmental education video programs into Laos and distributing them throughout the country. Canada was pleased to be able to support the dissemination of information about the environment through video in Lao PDR.
Video is becoming an increasingly widespread and popular communicationsmedium in Laos, especially about the environment. According to the project plan, 20 high quality documentary videos dealing with environmental issues of relevance and interest to Laos, will be translated and dubbed into Lao, copied, and distributed free of charge to television stations and non-profit organizations in 15 provinces throughout the country. One video will be translated every two weeks, and the project will take approximately one year to complete. The Canada Fund grant supported activities will be implemented by the video production company Lao-Inter Art Inc.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed its support for the Lao government's 1997-2000 economic reform plan, announcing its second loan for the plan.
An IMF delegation called on Vice Premier Bounyang Vorachit to discuss a "second term" loan under the Economic Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF), a project to promote the transition from a centrally planned to a market oriented economy.
According to the IMF, this transition will "happen via a medium-term program aimed at strengthening macro-economic stability, while putting in place a wide range of structural measures to improve the efficiency of the domestic economy and open it up through trade and tariff reform". The discussion covered the measures to tighten monetary policy and reduce inflation, reduce the budget deficit and increase government revenue. The aim is to maintain the momentum of macro economic change.
The IMF has satisfied with the economic growth of Laos, including foreign investment and financial affairs.
The IMF has supported Lao economic adjustment efforts since 1989 and, partly due to this help, the Lao PDR has experienced a strong expansion of private investment and rapid export growth.

The National Tourism Authority of Lao PDR (NTA) announced that 214,892 foreign tourists had toured Laos during the first six months of this year, from January to June. The figure included 157,021 foreign tourists from border countries, 53,61 8 international tourists and 4,253 tourists for visa extensions. The majority of foreign tourists came to Laos in April for a monthly total of 45,689. About 155,544 tourists are from ASEAN member countries, 26,840 are from other Asian countries, 21,231 are from Europe, 10,950 are from America and 327 tourists from Africa and the Middle East.
Moreover, 111,494 of these tourists used border passes whereas 103,398 of them presented passports. When the NTA does a breakdown by nationality, 124,378 tourists are from Thailand, 25,327 from Vietnam, 5,907 from China and 1,367 from Myanmar.
As for the international tourists, 8,697 are from the United States, 6,949 from France, 4,974 from Japan, 3,413 from Germany and 3,146 from the United Kingdom. Based on the first six months of this year and statistics from recent years, the NTA is estimating that more than 500,000 tourists will visit Laos this year.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently approved two loans to Laos.
The first is a US$ 46 million concessions loan for a road project. The road project will improve about 300 kilometers of two national road sections and about 100 kilometers of feeder roads in Xiengkhouang province. The project will promote the economic development of Xiengkhouang province which, although it has abundant natural resources, is isolated for about eight months each year because of poor roads. The ADB loan, is from the bank's special funds, which means it is interest-free, carries a service charge of one per cent per annum and is repayable over 40 years, including a 10-year grace period.
The second is a US.$ 30 million concessional loan to fund a project supplying electricity to people in the northern parts of Laos. The money will be used to fund a power transmission and distribution project that will supply electricity in the northern provinces of Xieng Khouang and Xayaboury, special region of Xaisomboun and the Vientiane Plain.
The project would also complement the ongoing World Bank assistance for rural electrification in the central and southern parts of the country.
The ADB loan, which would finance some 51 per cent of the total cost of the project, had a repayment period of 40 years.

Tourism promotion in the Lao PDR got a US$ 240,000 boost with the signing of an agreement between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Lao Government to assist the National Tourism Authority(NTA). The program will run for one year and aim to strengthen the NTA's promotion capabilities.
The work will begin with an updated national tourism master-plan and an organisational review of the tourism authority, with support for study tours and training for NTA staff.
Improving data-gathering on tourists is part of developing a marketing strategy. The visitors to Laos would benefit from a range of new user-friendly brochures in foreign languages and the establishment of tourism information centers in the capital Vientiane and the historic city of Luang Prabang. Tourism is the fastest growing economic sector in the Lao PDR.
This can be seen in a rise from 14,400 foreign visitors in 1990 to over 400,000 last year. The UNDP assistance would be put to good use, helping with tourism planning and the development of human resources to cope with the recent upsurge in tourism and investment -interest. The project will also support the NTA's commitment to realizing the eco-tourism potential of Lao PDR, with its many mountains, forests and the legendary Mekong.
Under the project, NTA will launch an eco-tourism network to bring together representatives of the Government and private sector with a shared interest in promoting eco-tourism.
A system of eco-tourism accreditation will be introduced to ensure and improve the quality of this type of tourism in the Lao PDR. The project will also conduct feasibility studies and compile a register of eco-tourism sites. Eco-tourism is an environmentally sound means both for creating economic opportunity for the Lao people and revealing the natural beauty of Laos to the outside world.

Remote areas of Laos will get strong TV signals through digital satellite system. An agreement for lease of the satellite was reached in Vientiane in last August between the Ministry of Information and Culture and the Subic-Bay Digital Satellite System Co., USA. for a one year lease of US.$ 450,000 .