LAOS. Lao People's Democratic Republic
A state in the center of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Area - 236.8 thousand km². Capital - Vientiane (approx. 600 thousand), the largest provincial centers: Savannakhet, Luang Prabang, Pakse. Administrative-territorial division - 16 provinces, 1 special district, and the city center subordinate to Vientiane. Population - 5.8 million (2004). According to official data, there are 49 ethnic groups in the country (more than 100 according to unofficial data), united ethnogeographically into 3 main groups: Lao Lum, Lao Teng, Lao Sung. The official language is Lao. The main religion is Buddhism. The currency is the kip.
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1960).
National holiday - December 2 - Republic Day (1975).
Laos is a republic. The constitution of 1991, as amended in 2003, is in effect. The highest legislative body is the unicameral National Assembly, elected by universal direct voting for a term of 5 years (109 deputies were elected in February 2002). The Chairman is Samane Vinyaket (since 1993). The head of state is the president (Khamtai Siphandone, since 1998).
At the same time, he is also the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The Prime Minister is Bounnhang Vorachit (since 2001).
The only political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP; over 124 thousand members; established on March 22, 1955), referred to in the constitution as the "leading core of the political system," built on the principle of democratic centralism and formed based on territorial and production criteria. In March 2001, the VII Congress of the party was held, which elected a new composition of the governing bodies - the Politburo and the Central Committee of the LPRP. The mass socio-political patriotic organization is the Lao Front for National Construction (established on June 6, 1956, until February 1979 called the Patriotic Front of Laos), which includes the Federation of Lao Trade Unions, the Union of Lao Women, the Union of Lao People's Revolutionary Youth, and the Union of Buddhists of Laos.
The first unified Lao state was formed in the 14th century. In 1893, the Kingdom of Laos became a French protectorate. During World War II, the country was occupied by Japan. During the struggle against the occupiers, the anti-colonial movement Lao Itself (Free Laos) emerged. On December 12, 1945, Laos declared independence. In 1946, French troops reoccupied Laos. From May 1947 - a constitutional monarchy under French protection. From July 1949 - an independent state within the French Community. The struggle of Lao patriots led to the creation in 1950 of the Front for Free Laos (Neo Lao Itself) and the National Resistance Government. In October 1953, France recognized Laos as an independent state (kingdom), but only under the Geneva Agreements of 1954 did its independence receive international recognition, and France withdrew its troops from Lao territory.
After the coup d'état on August 9, 1960, the right-wing forces of the country, with direct support from the USA, unleashed a civil war in Laos, which was fought between communist, rightist, and neutralist groups (with interruptions) until 1973. On November 21, 1973, an Agreement on the Restoration of Peace and Achievement of National Reconciliation was signed in Vientiane. On April 5, 1974, coalition governing bodies were formed - the Provisional Government of National Unity and the National Political Consultative Council of Laos, which included representatives of the warring parties.
From May to August 1975, popular revolutionary governing bodies were created throughout the country.
On December 1-2, 1975, the National Congress of People's Representatives of Laos took place in Vientiane, which abolished the monarchical system, proclaimed the country as the Lao People's Democratic Republic, dissolved the coalition governing bodies, and created the Supreme People's Assembly (since December 1992 - the National Assembly) and the government of the LPRD.
Laos is among the least developed countries in the world. The main natural resources are forests (valuable timber species are harvested - red and black wood), hydropower. Mineral resources are insufficiently studied (tin, gold, and precious stones are extracted).
The leading sector is agriculture (47.2% of GDP in 2004). The main crop is rice. In 2004, 2.67 million tons of rice were harvested. Animal husbandry includes raising cattle, buffalo, pigs, and poultry. Industry is mainly represented by small and medium enterprises. The main sectors are hydropower, woodworking, mining, textile, food, and construction (26.6%). Communications are poorly developed.
The basis of the modern economic policy of the government is the recognition of the equal existence of various forms of ownership, the rejection of command-administrative methods of economic management, the active use of market mechanisms in the national economy, attracting foreign investments, creating private and state-private enterprises, and granting concessions.
In recent years, the economy of Laos has maintained low growth rates. In 2004, GDP growth was 6.5%. The annual income per capita is about $400. The budget deficit is 11.3% of GDP, inflation is 11.3%. A negative balance of foreign trade turnover was maintained (exports - $374 million, imports - $556 million). The total volume of foreign aid amounted to $380 million in 2004. The volume of declared investments approached $8 billion.
The basis of the foreign policy course of the LPRD is declared as the expansion of cooperation with all friendly countries of the world, financial institutions, and international organizations on the principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful coexistence. A priority direction of Lao diplomacy remains the expansion of political and economic ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, primarily with ASEAN members. In 1997, Laos was admitted to ASEAN and its inter-parliamentary organization AIPO.
At the same time, there is a focus on "strengthening friendship and cooperation with its strategic partners" - Vietnam and China.
Laos has been a member of the UN since 1955. In 1990, it restored its membership in the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Since 1951, it has been part of the Colombo Plan.
Main newspapers: "Pasason" (5 thousand copies), "Pathet Lao" (3.5 thousand) - the organs of the Central Committee of the LPRP and the government, "Vientiane Mai" (2.8 thousand) and "Vientiane Times" (in English; 2.8 thousand). There is a government information agency - Kaosan Pathet Lao (KPL). There are government services for national radio and television.