[Tlc] L-news updates

[justinm at ucr.edu]

See several short, but interesting stories below.
Best,
justin

2007-1123 - KPL News

http://www.kpl.net.la/

Leaders “ Make merit” during That Luang festival

(KPL) Lao leaders took part in the alms giving on Saturday
morning, at the traditional That Luang Festival.
Among the leaders were President Choummaly Sayasone,
ministers, deputy ministers and a number of high-ranking
officials. There was also thousands of Vientiane residents and
foreign tourists.
In the afternoon, the traditional, hockey-like game, Ti Khi
was played at That Luang Square. On Friday afternoon, Buddhist
followers from different villages and offices gathered at Vat
Nongbong and then walked in procession to That Luang with wax
castles to worship the stupa. The processions were headed by
Buddist monks.
That Luang Festival has been held for centuries in the twelfth
lunar month. On the night of the full moon, Lao people from
throughout the country come to Vientiane to pay homage to the
great stupa, where a chest bone of the Lord Buddha is kept.
This year the administration of Vientiane held its trade fair,
showcasing agro-forestry, industry and handicraft products,
between 20-24 November.

Thai Princess on cordial visit to Laos

(KPL) Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of
the Kingdom of Thailand arrived here on 25 November afternoon
on a cordial visit to Laos between 25-28 November.
The Thai princess was warmly greeted at the airport by Mr.
Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs, and his wife, Vice Mayor of Vientiane and his
wife, Vice Chairman of Lao-Thai Friendship Association, Mr.
Ouan Phommachanh, Lao Ambassador to Thailand and high ranking
officials from Laos and Thailand.
Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith in the evening of the same day also
organised a dinner reception to welcome the Thai Princess. The
art performance from the central art troupe was also invited
to give the performance for the Thai princess.

President receives Vietnam delegation

(KPL) Mr Choummaly Sayasone, Secretary General of Lao People’s
Revolutionary Party and Sate President, on 22 November
received here a courtesy visit of high-ranking delegation of
Vietnam led by Mr Ho Duc Viet, politburo member and Party
Central’s Secretary of Vietnamese Communist Party.
The Vietnamese delegation were on their working visit to Laos
on 21-25 November.
At the talks, the president of Laos highly valued the visit to
Laos of the Vietnamese delegation constituting a contribution
to enhancing the friendly relations and co-operation between
the two governments and people of Laos and Vietnam, in many
fields based on mutual benefits.
On this occasion Mr Ho Duc Viet expressed thanks to President
Choummaly for his warm welcome and informed him of his
delegation’s activities in Laos, especially the results of
their meeting their Lao counterparts.

NA ready for ASEAN-Parliament Meeting

(KPL) The National Assembly has claimed its readiness for the
upcoming ASEAN Parliament Meeting, which will be held on 26-28
November in Vientiane.
According to the Permanent Commission’s meeting held on 22-23
November here under the chairmanship of Mr. Thongsing
Thammavong, President of National Assembly, the upcoming ASEAN
Parliament Meeting will mainly discuss the sustainable
development.
The meeting heard report on the result of laws’ amendment that
will be proposed to the plenary session of National Assembly
in December including laws on water, wildlife animals,
narcotics, combating against disaster, sports, trade union,
intellectual property and standardisation.
The meeting also heard the report on reparation for ASEAN
parliament meeting on sustainable development to be held on
26-28 November 2007 in Vientiane.
Participants were also reported on legal documents, which will
be discussed and considered in the join meeting between the
Permanent Commission of National Assembly and the government.
Last week’s meeting also discussed the establishment of local
assemblies, which will be proposed to the scientific meeting
to be held on 29-30 November, considered amended decree on
managing international money currency and precious stone.
The permanent commission also considered and adopted the
determination of uniform and badge of officials within
prosecutors system, considered nationality granting, and the
granting of amnesty to prisoners on the occasion of National
Day 2 December.

ASEAN chapter: new step for ASEAN integration

(KPL) The 13th ASEAN Summit was officially opened on 20
November in Singapore under the chairmanship of the Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore. Leaders from 10 ASEAM
member countries attended the opening ceremony.
During the event, the leaders from ASEAN member countries
discussed and exchanged their point of views of regional and
international issues, the ASEAN charter, master plan on the
ASEAN economic community, environment, the co-operation inside
and outside ASEAN.
The outstanding issue of this meeting was the adopting of
ASEAN charter and master plan on the ASEAN Economic, which is
the fundamental document for ASEAN to move forward to one
ASEAN community in the future.
In addition, the ASEAN leaders also issued two statements on
environment sustainable conservation and protection and
approved the appointment of Dr Sourin Phitsouvanh, former
foreign minister of Thailand as a new secretary general of ASEAN.
According to the report from China Radio International,
Leaders of 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations signed the ASEAN Charter at a gathering of the
group & apos;s 13th summit in Singapore on Tuesday.
The 55-article Charter aims to establish a legal and
institutional framework as well as pave the way for
ASEAN's closer integration to meet future challenges and
opportunities. ASEAN, which till now used to be a
loosely-organized regional body, is now moving towards being a
more rules-based organization. It may also see an appropriate
status with the United Nations system as well as with other
sub-regional, regional, international organizations and
institutions.
The Charter also seeks to eliminate trade barriers for goods
and services, better dispute- settlement mechanisms and more
transparent and consistent rules in an attempt to create a
European Union-modeled economic community by 2015.
The Charter shall come into force subject to ratification by
all ASEAN member states in accordance with their respective
internal procedures. This year & apos;s summit coincides with
its 40th Anniversary, a significant milestone in ASEAN &
apos;s development when it established the mini-constitution
after about three year & apos;s deliberations. The theme of
this year & apos;s summit was "One ASEAN at the Heart of
Dynamic Asia."
On the ASEAN chairman, the Charter says the chairmanship of
ASEAN shall rotate annually, based on the alphabetical order
of the English names of member sates and the chairman shall
ensure the centrality of ASEAN.
ASEAN is committed to narrowing the development gap between
nations and to advance ASEAN integration through building an
ASEAN Community to further peace, progress and prosperity in
the region.
It stresses all the member states of ASEAN will adhere to the
principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance,
and respect for protection of human rights and fundamental
freedoms.
The Charter says that ASEAN Foreign Ministers in its conduct
of external relations, may confer on external party the formal
status of Dialogue Partner, Sectoral dialogue Partner,
Development Partner, Special Observer, Guest, or other status
that may be established henceforth. But it also says external
parties may be invited to ASEAN meetings or cooperative
activities without being conferred any formal status, in
accordance with the rules of procedure.
The Charter in its preamble says the group is inspired by and
united under "One Vision, One Identity and One Caring and
Sharing Community", and united by a common desire and
collective will to live in a region of lasting peace, security
and stability, sustained economic growth, shared prosperity
and social progress.
ASEAN member countries consisting of Brunei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam brought forward the idea of
establishing an ASEAN Charter in November 2004 and put it in
the group& apos;s agenda in 2005.

Ministry of Finance’s new building presented to Government

(KPL) A new constructed building of the ministry of finance
was presented on 22 November to the government for the
officially used. The handing over ceremony was held between
Mr. Khampai Somsana, director general of Khampai Construction
Company and Mr. Khamphan Khounbolin, Deputy Minister of
Finance in the presence of Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Standing
Deputy Prime Minister and Mr. Somdy Douangdy, Minister of Finance.
The 14 billion kip four storey building with 22x56m comprised
with 1 big meeting room with able to accommodate 400 people.

THE 23rd Francophonie Ministerial reviewed

(KPL) Mr Souban Srithirath, Minister to Presidential Palace
and Mr Alounkeo Kittikhoun, Deputy Foreign Minister and Mr
Yong Chantharansy, Head of Press Department, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, talked to media last week at a press
conference on the achievement of 23rd Francophonie Ministerial
Meeting (19-21 November.
At the event held on 22 November at Prime Minister’s Office,
in Vientiane, Mr Souban expressed his appreciation on the
efforts made by all government and private sectors into
holding and organising the 23rd meeting of Francophonie ministers.
THE 23rd Francophonie Ministerial Meeting discussed various
issues regarding the benefits of Francophonie member countries.
The Francophonie member countries expressed congratulation on
the efforts made by the Lao government in preparing for the
23rd Francophonie Ministerial Meeting.
The meeting adopted the Francophonie’s report from Mr Abdou
Diouf, Secretary General of International Francophonie
Organisation which concerned politics, economy, and the
co-operation among Francophonie countries.
Laos’ proposal “French a tool for solidarity and the promotion
of cultural diversity” was considered by the meeting as
significant initiative for promoting French use and as a tool
for promoting cultural diversity and linguistics.
At the meeting Lao delegation also asked the member countries
of IFO to further their provision of assistance to Laos to
support its projects on French language learning and teaching.

Lao officials upgrade knowledge about ICC

(KPL) More than 50 Lao officials will get more knowledge and
understanding on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and
the role of civil society organizations in poverty reduction
activities due to the lessons and experiences learn from a
seminar on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the role
of civil society organizations held in Vientiane last week.
The seminar was jointly chaired by Mr Phongsavath Boupha,
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr Friedrich Hamburger,
ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European
Commission to Lao PDR.
This seminar was organized under the framework of, and is
designed to contribute to, the objectives of the Informal
Working Group on Cooperation in the areas of Institution
Building and Administrative Reform, Governance and Human
Rights, established between the Lao Government and the
European Commission.
Speaking at the seminar, Mr Phongsavath Boupha, Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the Lao Government
highly appreciates the initiative of the organization of this
seminar as it will offer a good opportunity for the Lao
government officials concerned and all participants to deepen
their knowledge and understanding of and to exchange their
views on the topics discussed during this one-day seminar.
The Lao PDR is still young in terms of legal development. The
Government, therefore, spares no effort to create all the
conditions necessary for the improvement of its legal system
and for moving towards a Rule of Law State. In doing so, in
pararel with enacting national legislation to meet the needs
of socio-economic development, the Lao Government gives
attention to the participation in and implementation of the
international treaties, said Mr. Phongsavad.
During the official opening of the seminar, ambassador
Hamburger stressed that the European Union has consistently
taken the view that the setting up of the ICC is a vital
development for international peace and justice, and the
international rule of law. “ we are therefore committed to
supporting the activities of the ICC in its early years” he added.

Agriculture Promotion Bank provides 12.4 bln kip of loan to
Borikhamsay province’ farmers

(KPL) Agriculture Promotion Bank has provided loan worth 12.4
billion kip to support the agriculture production and the
market oriented production of farmers in Borikhamxay province.
The figure exclude the loan for animal raising like fish, pigs
and poultry, which is worth 1.3 billion kip and another 4.7
billion kip for industrial and handicraft production, business
and service.
“We are encouraging all sectors to deposit money with the bank
to ensure the providing loan to the farmers,” said Head of
Agriculture Promotion Bank in Borikhamxay, Mr Bounmy Vannany.
So far this year the bank has accumulated over 25 billion kip
from all sectors in the province the amount was increased by
25% over its annual plan and has provided loan of 18.4 billion
kip to support the production of the locals.
The head of the bank in Borikhamsay said that the bank was
collecting information on farmers preparing for providing loan
to the farmers to support their dry season production
including rice.

Officials upgraded on animal import-export inspection

(KPL) Over 60 officials on animal breeding and fisheries, vets
and relevant officials from border checkpoints across the
country attended a workshop on 20-22 November, held in
International Co-operation and Training Centre, Vientiane.
The workshop was supported by Lao-German Avian Influenza Project.
The officials learn animal inspection, the management of
animals and animal products at border checkpoints, the
cleaning of animal farms, and the sanitation in butchers’ houses.
The participants also learned Prime Minister’s decrees on
managing animal diseases, and the inspection of animals, and
animal products imported and exported through border checkpoints.

Govt cares for national cultural heritage

(KPL) THE first meeting of the new Committee for National
Heritage held on 21 November at the National Cultural Hall in
Vientiane, under the chairmanship of Mr Somsavat Lengsavad,
Standing Deputy Prime Minister.
The event also was attended by Mr Mounkeo Oraboune, Minister
of Information and Culture, with a number of officials concerned.
Mr Somsavat who is also a chairman of the Committee for
National Heritage said that this was the first meeting
following the appointment of the new National Committee for
Natural Heritage by Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh. In the
past, in implementing the Party-state guidelines on cultural
affairs, particularly the culturtal heritage, the Ministry of
Culture and Information has gained significant achievement.
Emergingly, the Lao PDR has successfully proposed the UNESCO
in listing Luang Prabang township and Vat Phou in the
southernmostChampassak province, as world heritage sites.
The Lao PDR has been a member of the Heritage Convention since
20 March 1987. The meeting centred on management and
improvement of fulfilled archeological historical sites so
far, but these areas have posed a threat by natural disaster
and mankind.
So the Lao government has co-operated with friendly countries
and private sector as well as local people to participate in
the maintenance and conservation of these heritage sites.
The agreements have been made at the meeting would present to
the government relating the foundation of National Heritage
Fund and archeological site management.

Norway helps blind people

(KPL) The Rehabilitation of Blind and Bad Sight People Project
of Norway has committed to
furthering its provision of assistance to the Blind People
Project (phase II, 2007-2009) in
Savannakhet province.
According to the Health Service of Savannakhet province, the
project started its data collection
on blind people across the province and found that 200 people
still suffering from blind and
2000 people suffering from bad sight. The province said it
could only help 2000 bad sight
people to be able to see but its could not help blind people
to be able see.
The project has enabled blind people in the province by
providing training on vocational skill
designed for helping the blind people.

IPRF inspects poverty reduction in Sepon

(KPL) Last week Ms Khempheng Pholsena, Executive Committee of
Poverty Reduction Fund, has inspected the implementation of
income generation activities in 11 focal areas of Sepon
district, Savannakhet province.
Sepon is among poor districts Savannakhet has. It is located
in mountainous and rural areas, the communication of villagers
is difficult, especially in rainy season.
Last year, the poverty reduction fund paid two billion kip to
invest in developing the infrastructure, especially roads,
education and health facilities.
In recent years, the fund has established village development
funds in villages across the district to promote agriculture
production including planting various kinds of crops and
animal husbandry and income generation activities of the locals.

Xaythany receives aid package

(KPL) On 15 November at Labour and Social Welfare Office of
Xaythany district, Vientiane, there was a presentation of aid
package worth over 5 million kip from a businessman, Mr.
Southa Kiyokawa.
Xaythany Party Secretary, Mr. Bounthong Phommachanh,
representing the district administration received the aid
package from the Lao Japanese businessman in the witness of
Head of Labour and Social Welfare Office of Xaythany district,
Mr. Khampheuy Phaiphomma and relevant officials.
The aid packages includes 18 boxes of clothing, and one
gurney, which will be distributed to the poor and the hospital
of the district.

______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu