[Tlc] L-socialism

[justinm at ucr.edu]

FYI.
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justin

2007-1121 - VOA - Laos: No Democracy, Only Socialism

http://www.voanews.com/lao/2007-11-21-voa2.cfm

Laos: No Democracy, Only Socialism
By Songrit Pongern
21/11/2007

Songrit reports in Lao, 1.15 MB audio clip
Listen to Songrit reports in Lao, 1.15 MB audio clip

Laos' Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh says his country has
no plan to introduce a multi-party democracy, but re-affirms
the Lao People's Revolutionary Party's ultimate goal to lead
the nation towards socialism.

The prime minister made the comments to foreign reporters on
the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Singapore. He did not
mention a target date, but said his country's current goal is
to eradicate poverty so that it can get rid of its
"underdeveloped country" status by the year 2020, by focusing
hard on economic development.

Mr. Bouasone said his country's macro-economic development for
the past five years under the 5th socio-economic plan has
brought increased stability to the country. He expressed
confidence that the tstability will continue throughout the
6th plan which is being implemented, and that economic growth
will average 7.5 - 8%, which will translate into a per capita
income of around $800 by 2020.

Earlier this year, the Lao prime minister told a gathering of
over 200 diplomats and representatives of international donors
that the goal of the 6th socio-economic plan is to provide a
solid foundation for international intergration. He also said,
besides bringing stability, the last five-year plan had
brought the inflation rate from 7.9% to 4.1% last year, and
reduced budget deficits to around 7% of the gross domestic
products. He expressed graditude to international donors
saying, without their help, the 5th plan would not have
achieved its goal. He promised to use their aid wisely and
efficiently.

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