[Tlc] L-news summary

[justinm at ucr.edu]

FYI.
Thanks,
justin


2008-0129 - KPL News

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

Second Environmental Ministers meeting agree to further
co-operation

(KPL) The Second Environmental Ministers meeting was
officially opened in Vientiane yesterday under the
chairmanship of Mr. Asang Laoly, Deputy Prime Minister and
Chairman of the National Environment Committee.
Attending at the ceremony were the delegation of GMS member
countries including the Kingdom of Cambodia, the People’s
Republic of China, the Union of Myanmar, the Kingdom of
Thailand, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as well as the
Vice President of Asia Development Bank Mr Greenwood.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Mr Asang Laoly said that the
government of Lao PDR was highly committed to sustainable
development, based on securing the harmonization and balance
between national economic development, social development and
environment projection. This aim has been reflected in the
national socio-economic strategy up to the year 2020, the
national growth and poverty eradication strategy and the five
years socio-economic plans.
Environment protection is one of the crucial factors of
poverty alleviation in the Lao PDR since some 85 percent of
the multi ethnic people still rely on nature to survive. We
fully recognize that realizing national environment
strategies, action plans and programs, such as the national
adaptation plan to climate change, and related plans to
Hazardous Chemicals area, as well as the planning of one
million trees plantation are crucial elements in our efforts
for environmentally sound development, said Mr Asang.
Mr Asang continued that during the last 15 years, the
government of GMS countries have implemented a number of
projects, such as in energy and transport sectors, which would
lead to deeper linkages within countries in our sub region.
The core environmental project must ensure that infrastructure
development does not take place at the expense of the natural
environment.
Mr Asang Laoly also expressed congratulations on the outcome
of the second summit at Kunming, specifically for endorsing
the GMS Environment Core Program, and its flagship, the
Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative. He also
congratulated the establishment of sustainable financing
mechanisms, the building and strengthening of institutional
capacity, and the use of the strategy environment assessments
and environment performance tools. This holistic approach
taken in the Core Environment Program will enable us to move
forward for enhancing sustainable growth development,
concluded Mr. Asang.
The GMS Environment ministers also signed in the joint statement.

NA president receives German Parliament delegation

(KPL) The President of National Assembly Thongsing Thammavong
received on 28 January a courtesy visit of German parliament’s
delegation led by Mr Klaus.W.Lippld, from Christian Democratic
Union Party.
Mr Thongsing expressed congratulation on the visit of Mr
Lippld, which constitutes a strengthening to the friendship
relations and co-operation between Laos and Germany as well as
between the Lao National Assembly and German Parliament.
Last year the NA’s president had a working visit to Germany
and his visit was highly valued by the president of German
parliament.
The objective of the visit by the German delegation is to meet
with high-ranking officials of Laos on foreign policy of Laos
on ASEAN affairs and its economic development.
The delegation will also take part in cerebrating the 50th
anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries on 31
January.
The government of Germany has provided both technical and
financial assistance to Laos through its organisations GTZ and
KFW.
So far, German has provided 208 million Euros to Laos. In
2006-2008, the government of Germany has provided 17 million
Euros to Laos.
The assistance of Germany goes to rural road development,
vocational skills development, rural development, land
development policy promotion and human resource development to
strengthen economic system in southern provinces.
The German government also provides scholarship to Lao
officials to study and train in Germany and the third
countries and supports palm manuscript preservation project,
which started in 1993.

Indians mark their 59th Republic Day in Laos

(KPL) Indian Ambassador to Laos Suresh Kumar Goel and his wife
held a reception to celebrate the 59th Republic Day of India
on Tuesday in Vientiane.
The function was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Dr Thongloun
Sisoulith, Lao government’s officials from line ministries,
Indian business people and representatives from international
organisations and embassies.
The ambassador said, “India’s journey to a modern nation,
politically and economically, began with the declaration of
India as a republic on 26 January, 1950. Today India is
recognised by the global community as an example of successful
democratic society and high economic growth rate, the results
of which have percolated to all strata of people”.
“India and Laos have shared deep rooted historical and
cultural linkages dating back to over 200 years ago. These are
reflected in the Buddhist and Hindu architect, culture,
societies and the common root of our languages,” he added.
He also said that, “Laos is an important member of ASEAN. It
plays an important role in building our common vision of an
Asian Economic Community. Our modern relations are driven by
good people of India and Laos and indeed Asia. We are
confident that this relationship is going to grow further in
the coming years”.

Laos claims to host the 17th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum

(KPL) The Vice President of the Lao National Assemble, Dr.
Xaysomphone Phomvihane, representing the Lao PDR, has
announced the acception of Laos to host the 17th Asia-Pacific
Parliamentary Forum in 2009.
Dr. Xaysomphone made his announcement at the recently ended
16th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), held on 20-24
January, in Oakland, New Zealand.
The participation of Lao National Assembly was in response to
the inviation of the President of New Zealand Parliament and
APPF, Ms. Margaret Wilson.
The forum drew representatives from 21 APPF member countries
and nine observation countries.
The meeting adopted join-statement and 23 resolutions on
politics, socio-economic affairs, and the c-operation between
APPF member countries in the future.
The meeting also raised Korean penilsular, mines, and the
situation in Middle-East, Iraq and South Asia.
Discussed at the meeting were also the negative impacts of
climate change to the sustainable development, the impacts of
energy sortage to both international and regional trade
development.
Resolutions on preparing for response to the threats of
natural disaster, epedemic diseases and the promotion of
women’s participation in economic and politic areas, the
management of fisheries in south Asia, water resource
management, and human rights were also approved at the meeting.
Dr. Xaysomphone also paid a courtesy visit to the President of
New Zealand Parliament and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen
Clark. The Lao delegation also met foreigners to promote
culture, tourism and investment in Laos.

Minister of Education visits Vientiane province

(KPL) last week Deputy Minister of Education Litou Bouapao and
his delegations met villagers, teachers and students of
Pounglack and Phalack, Kasy district, Vientiane province.
Mr Litou hailed the local authorities and teachers on their
efforts in teaching students to help them gain knowledge,
which is considered as contribution to the education
development in rural areas.
On this occasion Mr Litou also presented uniforms and
educational equipment worth 20 million kip to the students and
pupils of the two villages.
Ban Pounglack has two schools, at which there are eight
teachers and 146 pupils and 50 secondary school students, Ban
Phalack does one school with two teachers and 116 pupils.

LNTA receives assistance

(KPL) Khamphy Technology and Information Institute’s
Representative Dong Six Nam has presented five computers worth
around 25 million kip (US$2,500) to the Deputy Director of the
National Tourism Administration Soukaseum Bhothisane.
The handover took place last Friday in Vientiane with the
witness of both sides’ officials.
On the same day the National Tourism Administration also
received a donation of 48 million kip from 18 businesses to
support the competition of Lao athletes at ASEAN-Cambodia
Traditional Boat Racing in Phnom Penh on last 23-25 November.

Laos, Cambodia further co-operation on sports

(KPL) The National Sports Committee of Laos and the Ministry
of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia here on Monday
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on their
co-operation on Sports.
Signatories to the document were President of Lao National
Sports Committee Phouthong Sengakhom and Minister of
Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia Dr Konphaeng.
Both sides have agreed to cooperate in developing sports
affairs of each other, strengthening their relations and
exchanging experience on international sports competition.
They have also agreed to exchange sports delegations between
Laos and Cambodia.
Both sides have agreed to cooperate in preventing performance
enhancing drugs abuse, promoting sports associations and
national sports institutes, strengthening their information
exchange on sports.
The Sport delegation of Cambodia arrived Vientiane last
weekend for their working visit on 27 January to 1 February.
Laos and Cambodia established their co-operative relations on
sports in 2000.

Champassak agriculture export to Thailand to surge this year

(KPL) The Commerce Sector of Champassak province expects to
reap at least US$7 million from exporting agricultural produce
to Ubonratthany province of Thailand in 2008.
The three southern provinces of Saravane, Sekong and
Champassak have received orders to produce agriculture as much
as possible.
According to a signing ceremony under the Contract Farming
Project of bilateral cooperation framework, 69 contract
documents were jointly signed in 2007 between Champassak
Commerce Sector of Laos and Oubonratthany province of Thailand.
Under the contract, identified 13 kinds of agriculture
produces in three southern provinces could have exported to
Thailand.
In 2007, Champassak Commerce Sector exported agricultural
produce to Thailand with worth of about US$5.9 million. The
agricultural produces including banana and cabbage amounting
to more than 35,000 tonnes.
Mr Saythong Sayavong, Head of Champassak province Commerce
Sector disclosed that since signing the contract farming
project, the agricultural produces in these provinces have had
sharply increase.
He said that this year we plans to increase the quantity of
agricultural produces as much as possible. Because the orders
from Thai traders have increased, particularly in three
southern provinces.

NA high ranking delegation back from New Zealand

(KPL) A National Assembly’s high ranking delegation led by its
Vice President Dr Saysomphone Phomvihan arrived here yesterday
after ending its official visit to the New Zealand where the
delegation attended the 16th Annual Meeting of the
Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).
The visit was response to the invitation of Mrs. Magaret
Wilson, Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand
and President of Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum.
The function draw the participation of more than 160 delegates
from its 27 member countries. During the four-day gathering,
delegates talked about issues of the Asia-Pacific region and
the world’s concerns, namely politics and security, economy,
environment, order and law, human rights and culture and
education exchange.
The APPF is an annual gathering of parliamentarians from up to
27 countries in our region. They meet to learn from each other
and to share knowledge, ideas and experience on the
international challenges of our time.
Since it first met in Tokyo in 1993, the APPF has grown into a
valuable forum for building understanding and cooperation
among the region’s parliamentary leaders. It now attracts
several hundred delegates, and the agenda runs the full gamut
of major issues and concerns facing the dynamic Asia-Pacific
region.
Delegations to the APPF also share best-practice experiences
of parliamentary democracy. Over time, this helps parliaments
serve their citizens better.
The function also discussed a number of issues relating to the
political and security affairs including cluster munitions,
the Korean peninsula, the Middle East peace process, the
relationship between civilisations, climate change and energy
security.
The meeting also agreed the National Assembly of Laos to host
the 17th APPF in Vientiane in 2009.
During the visit, Mr Saysomphone also paid a courtesy visit to
a number of New Zealand leaders including its Parliamentary
President and Prime Minister. On this occasion, the Lao
delegation also organised a photo exhibition to disseminate
the Lao culture and tourism.

Visiting Paklay for elephant festival

(KPL) As everybody know that the 2nd Elephant Festivals will
take place in Paklay district, Sayaboury province between 15
and 17 February with more activities to impress visitors.
Paklay district is always famed for elephants. The skilled
training and handling capabilities of local mahouts have made
Paklay the focal point of Lao elephant lore. In Paklay,
elephants are sacred. They have been man’s best friend since
time immemorial.
Traditionally used for work in the forest, these magnificent
animals are now looking forward to meeting visitors at this
second elephant festival, giving them the chance to discover
the riches and marvels of the cultural and natural world
surrounding them. Who could pretend to have visited Laos, the
“Land of a Million Elephants”, without meeting one of these
superb animals? So, come and meet the elephants and their
masters at the Elephant Festival.

Friday 15 February 2008
OPENING
Opening Ceremony. Elephant Procession. Elephant Bath.
Mahoutship Demonstration. Lectures. Live Art performances.
Tug-of-War Contest. Vientiane Circus show. Showing of "Caravan
Xang" Film on giant screen. Traditional dances, concert, fun
fair and Night market.

Saturday 16 February 2008
TRIBUTE TO THE ELEPHANT
Paklay Traditions Procession (Rockets, boats, traditional
masks). "Female Elephant of the Year" procession. Elephant
Bath. Mahoutship Demonstration. Boat race and rocket festival.
Vientiane Circus show. Showing of "Chang" film on giant
screen. Traditional dances, concert, fun Fair and Night market.

Sunday 17 February 2008
THE LAO ELEPHANT DAY
Male "Elephants of the Year" Procession. Monks blessing.
Elephant Baci ceremony. Young elephant taming ceremony.
Outdoors Elephant Museum . Elephant race. Contemporary Art
exhibition. Drawing contest. Traditional fireworks. Show &
Concert. Fun Fair.

How to get to Paklay?

FROM INSIDE LAOS
>From Vientiane (about 6 hours)

By road : Take the Luang Prabang road (13N) up to Hin Heup
(100km). Turn left in the direction of Muang Feuang and follow
the road down to Sanakham. In Sanakham continue up to Paklay
and cross the Mekong (ferry boat).

BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE IN VIENTIANE (9hrs).

By boat (recommended): Regulars line up to Paklay and down to
Vientiane (departing in the morning).
FULL DAY cruise.
>From Luang Prabang (about a day)

By road : Drive down to Xieng Ngeun and take the direction of
Sayabouri. In Sayabouri drive down south to Paklay (152 km).
BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE IN LUANG PRABANG.

NO BOATS FROM LUANG PRABANG

FROM OUTSIDE LAOS

Thailand
Enter Laos through the international border check point of
Tha-Li / Kenthao in Loei province. Drive to Paklay (57 km).

NOTE: You need a valid entry VISA to Laos if you plan to enter
from this check point.
There is NO VISA ON ARRIVAL.

Access to the festival is free to the public.

Visitors to the Elephant Festival are welcome either on group
tours or as individual travellers. You can book your stay
through travel agent or come by your own means.

Accommodation is available in Paklay, though in limited
numbers. A home stay programme has also been set up with
villagers in Paklay. Rooms will be available for rent at a
unique price throughout the festival. Rooms within the Home
Stay program are equipped with a double bed, mosquito net and
clean sheets.

For travellers who prefer camping, land will be available to
install tents near the festival's site (tents and camping
equipment are not provided).

The conditions can be somewhat rudimentary. Travellers are
expected to be open-minded and looking for an authentic
experience in the heart of Laotian culture. Participants must
be aware that there are limited numbers of western-style
toilets and washing facilities. Sleeping is on a bamboo floor
or local wooden beds, dormitory style, in traditional houses.

In February, be aware that temperatures can drop at nights. A
fleece and long pants are useful items. Food will be local and
available at the numerous food stalls.

What to Bring Along?

Light clothing made from natural fibres is the best clothing
for Laos.

Malaria and Dengue fever are a problem in Laos . However, with
caution, they can easily be avoided.
Sleep with a mosquito net
Wear long sleeves and trousers around dusk
Use plenty of strong insect repellant - some brands can be
applied directly on clothing
Money

The unit of currency in Laos is the Kip. Currency may not be
changed during the festival.
We suggest you keep a ready supply of KIP notes or smaller US
dollar bills. If you have arrived from Thailand , you may
bring Thai Baht too. Credit cards cannot be used in Paklay.

GMS JOINTSTATMENT on "SUSTAINABLE NATURAL RESOURCE USE FOR
ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS"

(KPL) The leaders of six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)
countries reaffirmed commitment to the pursuit of the shared
vision of growth, equity, and prosperity for the Subregion as
enunciated by the first GMS Summit of Leaders held in Phnom
Penh in November 2002.
This according to the second GMS Environment Ministers Meeting
joint statement on “Sustainable Natural Resource Use for
Economic Competitiveness” issued on 29 January, Vientiane, Lao
People's Democratic Republic
The Ministers from the six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)
countries, namely, the Kingdom of Cambodia, People's Republic
of China (PRC), Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR),
the Union of Myanmar, Kingdom of Thailand, and Socialist
Republic of Vietnam.
They also affirmed that the key building blocks for attaining
this vision are enhanced regional connectivity, increased
competitiveness, and increased sense of community among GMS
countries. .
They assert that a step-by step approach has proven to be
pertinent and effective in promoting GMS cooperation. This
pragmatic approach with a clear long-term road map is
essential for delivering their common GMS vision of
sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Giving due consideration to our common concern that poverty
alleviatlon remains at the core of their developmental
efforts, they are confident that their efforts through the
Core Environment Program/Biodiversity Conservation Corridors
Initiative (CEP/BCI) can assist them to reduce income
disparities and livelihood vulnerabilities affecting a
sizeable portion of our populations. They direct the Working
Group on Environment and the GMS Environment Operations Center
(EOC) to expand and accelerate the pro-poor activities of
CEP/BCI especially among the socio- ecologically vulnerable
upland communities.
They are convinced that good environment is essential for
sustainable economic development. This requires that economic
growth must go hand in hand with sustainable natural resource
use and sound environmental management.
They recognise the importance of knowledge and technologies in
improving our environmental performance and preparedness for
combating the clear and present challenge of climate change.
They are committed to implementing sound adaptation measures.
With increasing risks from climate change to biodiversity,
livelihoods and economic competitiveness of the subregion,
they urge the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to mobilize
additional financial and technical resources to enable the GMS
countries to undertake assessment of risks investments and
local livelihoods in the
CEP/BCI programme, to enable them to manage these new risks
for maintaining their competitive edge in the global market.
This requires strengthening country and local capacity for
integrating environment into economic development planning and
investments.
Cognizant of the need to improve their economic
competitiveness as well as environmental management
performance, they acknowledge the need for adopting systems
and processes for extraction, production and processing of
natural resources with least possible damage to the natural
ecosystems in the GMS. For this, they request ADB's support to
help build local awareness, knowledge and skills in advanced
methods and tools in ecological resource use efficiency such
as materials flow analysis and life cycle assessments.
They believe in the imagination of their children and youth
and their potential positive energy that can be unleashed for
pro-environment actions and skills and team-building for the
benefit of the future GMS. They strongly encourage increased
activities by WGE and EOC to catalyze the participation of
young generation for enhancing environmental management
performance of the subregion.
They are immensely encouraged by the early achievements of the
CEP-BCI since its inception in April 2006. The implementation
of a comprehensive programme to address the environmental
management challenges of the GMS Economic Cooperaton programme
including the establishment of pilot biodiversity conservation
corridors is in full gear. Those gains have laid a strong
foundation for sustaining and deepening their cooperation in
the coming years. They direct their officiais and GMS
Environment Operations Centre to prepare the CEP/BCI 2011-2015
plan of action and investment framework for consideration by
the GMS Environmental Ministers by (in?) 2011.
They fully recognise and greatly appreciate the role that the
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has played as catalyst, advisor
and financier. ADB's active participation has helped move
CEP-BCI and their cooperation in the GMS to a higher level of
engagement.
They appreciate the work carried out by the Working Group on
Environment (WGE) and urge the ADB and WGE to continue
strengthening the role of the EOC for accelerated CEP-BCI
implementation in coordination with the overall GMS economic
cooperation programme.
They greatly appreciate contribution by development partners
to the GMS CEP/BCI and request them to continue supporting the
GMS countries in strengthening their institutions for pro poor
and pro environment development in the subregion.. They also
welcome the role of GMS universities and civil society in
supporting them in this endeavour.
They are convinced that environment would play an important
role in sustaining increased connectivity for enhanced
competitiveness of our subregion. Additionally, They commit to
equipping their ministries with appropriate and adequate human
and technical capacity to enable them to effectively influence
the key development sectors in support of the GMS Economic
Cooperation Program.
They request the 3rd Summit of Leaders to consider supporting
their vision of "environment for development" as encapsulated
in the CEP/BCI through enhanced support to Environment sector
under the proposed Vientiane Plan of Action for GMS
Development (2008-2012).
Their common heritage is not only for improving the
environment and economic performance but also to protect our
shared natural resources for generations to come and as a
contribution to their own people and the world at large. They
believe CEP/BCI vision of "Poverty Free and Ecologically Rich
GMS" manifests this in spirit and letter. Therefore, They
reaffirm their commitment to support efficient and effective
implementation of CEP/BCI.
They express their deep appreciation to the Water Resources
and Environment Administration, the local government of
Vientiane and the Government of Lao PDR for hosting their
Meeting and for the warm hospitality accorded to all participants.

Three Vietnamese nationals drowned in the Mekong

(KPL) Three Vietnamese people were confirmed dead while eight
others were rescued last Saturday night, after a cruise of a
long-tail boat carrying Vietnamese nationals crossing the
Mekong River from Nakhon Phanom province of Thailand to
Khammouane province of Laos, said local police on Monday.
Mr Bounlai Vongphachanh, Head of Public Security Office,
Khammouane province told KPL News journalist that the accident
occurred at about 7:30 pm on 26 January when the boat was
carrying 11 Vietnamese nationals capsized in the Mekong River,
when it was about 50 metres away from the Thai river bank at
Ban Bua village, Nakhon Phanom district, Nakhon Phanom province.
He said that three bodies identified as two women and one man,
were sent back to their homeland.
Some survivors told police that they worked in Thailand. They
hired a fishing boat to take them to Thakhek district of
Khammouane province Laos and planned to celebrate the
Vietnamese New Year in their homeland. Unfortunately some of
their companions ended their lives in the boat accident.

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