[Tlc] L-various political and development stories

[justinm at ucr.edu]

FYI.
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justin

2007-1205 - KPL News

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

Fourth Ordinary Session of National Assembly

(KPL) The fourth ordinary session of the National Assembly (VI
legislature) was official opened yesterday by its president
Thongsing Thammavong.
The three-week session will provide an opportunity for all
deputies to discuss and debate a number of important issues,
especially the issues on state authorization. It will also
consider and adopt seven new draft laws on aquatics and
wildlife, intellectual property, fire prevention,
standardization, drug narcotics, sports, and on trade Unions.
It will also consider and adopt one amended law on forestry.
In his opening speech, Mr. Thongsing Thammavong said that
fourth ordinary session has some important issues to discuss.
He added that in the short period of time since the 3rd
Ordinary Session in June this year, the National Assemble VI
Legislature, has strived to perform its mandate with a high
degree of responsibility in order to perform monitoring and
oversight over the execution of the socio-economic development
plan and the state budget plan, constitution and the
enforcement of laws. During this time, national security,
political stability and social order has been maintained
socio-economic development has grown in as sustainable way.
The political system has been reinforced and solidarity among
the multi-ethnic people has been consolidated. Relationships
and cooperation with countries in the region and around the
world have been broadened and deepened.
Meanwhile, we have also faced some challenges in terms of the
requirements of national development, mainly with the
effectiveness and efficiency of the public management For
example natural resources have not been well managed, the
living conditions of civil servants and many people remain
constrained. And although strong attempts have been made to
solve social phenomena to upgrade educational quality and to
strengthen the political system at grassroots level, not all
goals have been fully achieved. Moreover, people in certain
parts of the country still live in scattered communities.
We also recognize that the rule of law is not as effective as
it should be. Enacted laws have not been widely disseminated,
nor has strict enforcement and social justice been fully
administered.
To future address these shortcomings and weaknesses, the
standing committee of the National Assembly has therefore held
a joint meeting with government members to discuss a umber of
critical issues.
Mr. Thongsing continued that the session would listen to
examine and approve the government report on the plan of
amended public expenditures for fiscal year 2007-2008, and
consider the election of the President of the Central Audition
Authority.
In order to ensure the session achieves the goals and
objectives set, may I call upon members of the National
Assemble and all other relevant parties to heighten their
political responsibility in order to strengthen democratic
representative through rational and fair deliberation and debate.
This is all the more important because most of the proposed
laws under consideration before the session have been newly
drafted and will have significant impacts on socio-economic
development and foreign trade cooperation in the future, the
law on intellectual property and the law on standardization
are two notable examples in this regard.
Therefore, in order to validate the substance, meaning,
accuracy, preciseness and consistency of the laws placed
before us, may I once again request members of the National
Assembly to enhance their political ownership, and their grasp
of policy and development goals in order to energetically and
carefully scrutinize and debate each law based on the spirit
of unanimity in order to ensure quality in conformity with the
constitution and previously enacted laws and in consideration
of the reality of the country.
In addition, I would like to urge members of the government as
well as representatives of the Party and state authorities,
mass organizations and all parties concerned to actively
participate in this session to provide support and to raise
issues of accountability in accordance with their role and
duties to ensure the proceeding this session with fine success.
Following the opening speech, Minister of Agriculture and
Forestry Mr Sitaheng Lasphone, also presented the law on forestry.
Also attended the session as guests were Secretary General of
the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao
PDR, members of the Party Central Committee’s Politburo,
members of the Government and representatives of the Party and
State Institutions, mass Organization, senior revolutionary
cadres, intelligentsia, business persons, members of the
diplomatic corps and representatives from international
organizations.

Forest law to amend at NA session

(KPL) Some articles of forest law will be improved at the
Fourth Ordinary Session of National Assembly in conformity
with socio-economic development.
The session of the sixth legislature opened yesterday it will
run till 26 December, under chairmanship of Mr Thongsing
Thammavong, President National Assembly.
“Some article of forest law was proclaimed to use in 1996 it
would be amended. The law would be a main tool for forestry
development and preservation, which forest resource are able
to generate income to nation and socio-economic development in
local rural areas as well as the improvement of living
condition,” he said.
The old version of forest law has had weaken and strong points
led to forest areas nationwide have been destroyed.
In 2002-2003 period, the coverage of forest nationwide reduced
to 9.8 million hectares or 41.5 per cent from 11.2 million
hectares or covered 47.1 percent of forest total areas nationwide.
Minister Sitaheng has also explained that the main cause of
forest coverage nationwide were legal logging, slash and burn
cultivation practice and forest excavation.
Many article of current forest law do not match many laws of
industry processing, land management, environment and
investment promotion.
In 2006, the structure of sector concerned of the Forestry and
Agriculture regarding to the management of forest and the land
forests has also improved.
Along with many article of forest law have been amended
responding to social demand for the new period.
The draft law on forest would be amended at the current
session of National Assembly, including main points of law
name, structure, improvement content of all articles and
arrangement of all articles.

Vice President receives Chinese delegation

(KPL) Mr Bounnhang Vorachit, Vice State President of Laos, on
4 December received a courtesy visit of a Chinese delegation
led by Deputy Secretary General of Chinese Association for
International Friendship Contact, Mr Zhao Bo, on a two-day
working visit to Laos from December 4 to 5.
At the talks, Vice President of Laos appreciated the visit to
Laos of the delegation, constituting a significant
contribution to enhancing the friendship relations and
co-operation between Laos and China.
Laos and China have developed their co-operation in many
fields on the basis of mutual benefit, especially the
co-operation between two states and parties and peoples of two
countries. China is among significant donors to Laos
supporting its socio-economic development and its poverty
reduction efforts.
Mr Zhao Bo expressed thanks to Vice President Bounnhang for
his warm welcome and informed him about his delegation’s
activities in Laos.

Reception on Thai King’s birthday at Thai Embassy

(KPL) Mr. Viboun Khousakoun, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to Laos, hosted
here on 4 December a reception on the 80th birthday of His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and the National
Day of Thailand.
Taking part in the reception were among others, Mr. Thongloun
Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs, ministers, diplomatic corps and representatives of
the international organization in Laos.
Sharing a common border, Laos and Thailand have maintained
relations of fraternity from immemorial. Since the
introduction of the policy of foreign economic expansion in
1989, the economic and investment relations between the two
countries have been strengthened and widened constantly.

Sayaboury to access electricity to 11 villages

(KPL) Energy and Mines Office of Kenethao district, Sayaboury
province, has signed an agreement with two private companies
on the installation of electricity network to access 11
villages on 28 November.
Held at the district’s administration office, the event was
witnessed by Deputy Head of Kenethao district, Mr. Bounthavy
Chanthavong, local authorities and relevant officials.
Under the agreement contractor Loungloth Electric Installation
and Construction will install electricity to five villages of
Phone Papor, Kok Hai Kham, Kok Kathone, Koumsiew, and Nong
Pong Deng.
The installation to these villages is 16 km long and worth 3.8
billion kip, including 63 million kip provided by the
government and 3.80 billion kip by the villagers. Another
contractor Chaleun Phatthana Electric Construction Co., Ltd
will be responsible for six villages of Houay Hia, Houay Da,
Mouang Phao, HuaKhua, Lad and Khampome with the length of 13
km worth 3.14 billion kip including 1.13 billion kip provided
by the government and 2.80 billion kip by local people.
Both companies have committed to completing the installation
of electric to 11 villages within six months from January 2008.

Education for all reviewed

(KPL) The National Commission on Education for All, Ministry
of Education, on 4 December held its 2nd meeting to discuss
activities implemented in Vientiane.
The meeting was presided over by Mr Somsavat Lengsavad,
Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of National
Commission on Education for All. Attending the function were
also Dr Somkot Mangnormek, Minister of Education, Mr Thongmy
Phomvixay, Deputy Minister of Planing and Investment, and
concern officials.
The meeting discussed the improvement of project activities
implemented in the 2006-2007 fiscal year, and the quantity of
the education.
Eighty six per cent of children across Vientiane enrol in the
primary schools 53.6 per cent do in secondary schools.
Vientiane has literacy rate among people aged over 15
increased to 75.8 per cent.

Housewives become new risky group of infected HIV positive

(KPL) The Lao National Committee Control of AIDS Bureau
disclosed yesterday that only six months of this year, at
least 226 Lao people infected with HIV positive nationwide.
The meeting of the Mobility AIDS Partnership (MAP) Lao PDR
held at Lao Plaza hotel in Vientiane from 5 to 6 December, to
call on all organisations taking part of the support’s anti-HIV.
This MAP meeting’s attempts to seek key mechanism to mobilise
all organisations taking part of the anti-HIV, after
housewives were found as a highly risky group.
The MAP Lao PDR was supported by the Canada South East Asia
Regional HIV/AIDS Programme, where was attended by
representatives from ministries, mass organizations,
non-governmental organisations and donor agencies under
chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Bounkuang Phichit.
According to the Lao National Committee Control of AIDS Bureau
pointed that since 1990 to 2007, about 2,400 Lao people have
been infected with HIV positive age about 25-35s, most of them
being mobile workers.
Meanwhile housewives are reported that they are a high risky
group of infected HIV positive from their husbands. Last
years, 355 Lao people were reported that infected HIV positive.
The meeting of MAP Lao PDR followed the regional Mobility AIDS
Partnership among Canada, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam (MAP-4),
which took place in Vientiane, on 3-4 December 2007. MAP-4 is
a main component of CSEARHAP, funded by the Canadian
International Development Agency; the programme was
established in four countries to implement the UN Regional
Strategy on HIV Vulnerability Reduction for Migrants and
Mobile Populations.
At the National level, the programme relies on a
multi-sectoral mechanism of government and non-government
partners to implement activities that directly reduce the HIV
exposure of migrants and mobile populations. The MAP-4 meeting
in early December focused on regional and national advocacy
for issues of HIV and mobility.
Two-day meeting’s main objectives were to discuss the purpose,
role and responsibilities of the Mobility AIDS Partnership in
the Lao PDR and to promote sharing of resource invested in
mitigating the HIV Vulnerability of migrants and mobile
populations.
The main outcomes of the meeting included a review of the
draft terms of reference of this national level multi-sectoral
working group and a draft map of available resources.
Discussions led by the UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Dr Michael
Hahn, focused on the need to prioritize initiatives to reach
the most vulnerable of the many migrants and mobile
populations and their communities.
Mobile populations at high risk of HIV exposure were
identified and various organizations shared their HIV-related
activities for these migrants and mobile populations. By
identifying existing evidence-based interventions and gaps in
programming for migrants, stakeholders developed a matrix of
existing initiatives to foster collaboration among
stakeholders with similar interests and discourage duplication
of efforts.

Rally to mark National Day held in Attapeu

(KPL) The southern province of Attapeu organised on 2 December
a meeting to mark the 32nd founding anniversary of the Lao PDR.
More than 2000 people including state employees, soldiers,
police officers, students and general people attended the
function.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Khammoua Vongphachanh,
Secretary of the Party Committee of Attapeu province talked
about the background of 2 December, and reviewed the progress
of National defense and construction made during the past 32
years under the clear-sighted leadership of the Lao People’s
Revolutionary Party. He also pointed out about the
achievements of the Attapeu province gained in the past one year.
According to Mr. Khammoua, in 2006-2007 fiscal year, the GDP
of the province has increased to 7.1%. These included 4.5%
from agricultural and forestry sector, 9.5% from industry,
8.9% from services sector.
In 2008, the province will pay more its attention to encourage
the economic growth and the expectation of GDP is 7.46%,
average income per capita/year is 2,827 million kip or US$ 298.

Lao athletes leave for the 24th SEA Games in Thailand

(KPL) More than 300 Lao national athletes and officials led by
Mr. Sengphone Phon-Amarth arrived in Thailand for the 24th
South East Asia (SEA) Games in Nakhon Ratchasima on 3rd December.
The Lao athletic delegation was warmly welcomed by Nongkhay
Governor, Mr. Chadeth Mousikhavong.
The governor highly valued the relations and co-operation
between Laos and Thailand especially between Nongkhay province
and Vientiane capital. He also wished all athletes from Laos
to win more gold medals for their homeland.
Deputy President of Lao National Sports Committee and General
Secretary of Lao Olympic Committee, Mr. Souvannalath Sayavong,
expressed thanks to the governor for his warm welcome and
wished the host country to succeed in organising the on going
24th SEA Games.
The 24th Southeast Asian Games under slogan “Spirit,
Friendship, and Celebration” has 475 medals for 43 sports.

Lao Football Players was defeated by Malaysians 4-0

Laos’ male football players lost 4-0 to Malaysian players in
the second match on Tuesday after drawing 0-0 with Singapore
while Lao female players drew 2-2 with the Philippines.
Both Lao male and female football teams will compete against
Vietnam’s teams on 8 December.
Only winning can help Laos enters the next round.
The last group of Lao athletes Judo, Karatedo and Taekwondo
will leave Vientiane for the 24th SEA Games on Saturday.

Rural school in Vientiane receives repairing financial support

(KPL) The Lao Asia Pacific Brewery Limited in cooperation with
the Singapore Youth Flying Club granted fund to improve and
repair five buildings of Veunkham Secondary school in Saithany
district of Vientiane Capital early this month.
The education equipment such as table and benches and
blackboards have been repaired and buildings of school have
also been painted.
This school was established in 1980 now its buildings are bad
condition, leading to uncomfortable to students. Therefore the
Lao Asia Pacific Brewery Limited and the Singapore Youth
Flying Club has provided financial support to this school.
The grant considers a great contribution to the human resource
development of Laos.
This school is able to accommodate over 1,000 students. The
renovation work is expected to be completed at the end of this
month.
The Singapore Youth Flying Club, or SYFC, was established in
December 1971 as the Junior Flying Club by the then newly
formed Singapore Armed Force to introduce aviation and provide
flight training to the youths of Singapore. The Club is
synonymous with the Republic of Singapore Air Force with the
primary mission of attracting young Singaporeans to military
aviation.
The Lao Asia Pacific Brewery Limited is a joint venture
between Laos and Singapore, which has established a state
-of-the art plant to produce Tiger beer in Veunkham village.
Last October the Lao Asia Pacific Brewery Limited provided
financial support to Lao Disabled People Rehabilitation Centre.

Huaphan reduces poverty in 190 villages

(KPL) A northern province Huaphan has announced its
achievement in reducing the poverty of its residents in 190
villages across the province so far.
Last year the Poverty Reduction Found in Huaphan implemented
230 projects worth 18.40 billion kip in 540 villages including
18 projects in Sob Bao, 31 projects in Xiengkhor, 35 in Met,
30 in Huameuang, 40 in Viengxay, 49 in Xamtay and 27in Viengthong.
Huaphan province also pays attention to the development of its
human resources in government sectors such as science,
technology, environment, commerce and industry.
Huaphan is among provinces in Laos with people in districts
living under the poverty.

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