Le 1 Novembre 2001

Le 2 Novembre 2001

• European envoys meet activists held in Laos (Reuters/Yahoo! Singapore) --Two senior European diplomats flew to Laos on Friday to meet and press for the release of five activists arrested during a pro-democracy protest in the capital Vientiane last week. "They visited the arrested people at 2 o'clock
• Efforts intensify to secure release of European activists in Laos (AFP/Yahoo! Singapore) --Legal and diplomatic efforts to secure the release of a Euro-MP and four activists detained after mounting a pro-democracy protest in Laos have intensified. A Lao lawyer acting for the five was due to submit a formal request
• European diplomats arrive in Laos (BBC News or here)--Two senior European diplomats have arrived in Laos to press for the release of five activists - including a member of the European parliament - arrested during a pro-democracy protest last week. The diplomats, the European
• European envoys fly to Laos to see activists (Reuters/AOL or backup) --Two senior European diplomats flew to Communist Laos on Friday to meet and press for the release of five activists arrested during a pro-democracy protest in the capital Vientiane last week, diplomatic sources said.
• Letters sent by Lao Human Rights Council to President of the European Parliament, the EU ambassador to the U.S. and the Counselor of EU in Bangkok (Lao Human Rights Council) --The purpose of this letter is to appeal to the members of the European Union and European Parliament to consider the following proposals for peace, freedom, democracy, justice, liberty and human rights for people in Laos
• For more news relating to five pro-democracy activists arrested in Vientiane, please check Transnational Radical Party

Le 5 Novembre 2001

Le 6 Novembre 2001

Le 7 Novembre 2001

Le 8 Novembre 2001

• European activists to be deported from Laos-source (Reuters/AOL) --Laos will deport five European democracy activists arrested during a protest in the capital Vientiane in October, a Laotian foreign ministry official said on Thursday. The senior official made his comments on condition of anonymity
• Diplomatic pressure rises on Laos over detained activists (Financial Times) --Five jailed activists were being held in isolated & primitive conditions. They are unable to communicate with each other, exercise or sleep on the floor & have no clean water, blankets or medicine. They have not been advised of
• Lao detention of 'critically' sick activists is illegal, lawyer says (The Nation)--The arrest and detention of five Western activists in Vientiane on charges of staging a pro-democracy protest is illegal even under the Lao penal code, a French lawyer defending the activists said yesterday, adding that the jailed

Le 9 Novembre 2001

• Freed by Laos, EU legislator slams communist captors (AP/Yahoo!, AP/ABC News, AP/News Flash or AP/SF Gate) --"Our goal was to show solidarity with those seeking democracy in Laos & to open the eyes of the Western public opinion," Dupuis told AP in Bangkok, where he stopped over on route to Rome. "Laos is not as bad as North Korea
• Laos sentences European activists (BBC News)Pic: Courtesy of BBC News --A Euro MP & four activists have been given suspended 2-year prison terms & ordered to be deported from Laos for mounting a pro-democracy demonstration.
• Laos deports European activists (CNN) --A court in Laos has ordered the deportation of five western political activists, including a EP member, arrested for staging a pro-democracy protest in the communist nation. The activists were arrested on October 26 in the capital
• Laotian court orders European activists deported (Reuters/Excite News, Reuters/Yahoo! or Reuters/AOL) --A Laotian court on Friday sentenced five European democracy activists arrested during a protest in the capital in October to two-year suspended jail terms and immediate deportation, a court official said.
• Laos to deport European activists following EU pressure (Australian BC Online) --Authorities in Laos say they will deport five European activists who were detained last month after staging a pro-democracy protest in the capital, Vientiane. In a brief trial, the five were given two-year suspended prison
• Laos orders deportation of five (AP/Yahoo! or backup) --A court in Laos ordered the deportation of five foreign activists... The court sentenced them to a conditional 2-year jail term, but ruled that they should serve only the 2 weeks they had already been jailed, said ambassador
• Europeans in Laos include Belgian member of EU Assembly (Dow Jones/Yahoo! Singapore or backup) --A court in Laos ordered the deportation Friday of five European activists who were arrested for staging a democracy protest in the Southeast Asian communist nation, an official said. "There will no punishment or jail term
• Laos begins trial of Western activists (The Nation) --Lao prosecutors on Friday put on trial five Westerners charged with holding a pro-democracy demonstration in Vientiane last month, Lao officials said. The five Westerners... were scheduled to appear in court at 8.30 am, but it
• Danes declare their innocence but still want to pay fine (AAP/The Age or Canberra Times) --Kerry & Kay Danes arrived home today declaring their innocence but promising to pay the $1 million in fines & compensation which secured their release from jail in Laos. The Danes also pledged the truth would one day
• Daneses 'glad to be home' (Australian BC Online) Video and Audio--The Daneses were the subject of a diplomatic wrangle between Laos and Australia, when they were arrested and given a seven-year prison sentence for sapphire smuggling. The couple deny the charges. They say they are
• Danes angry but not bitter (AAP/Excite Australia) --Australian couple Kerry and Kay Danes said they were angry but not bitter about their 10-month incarceration in a jail in Laos. The couple arrived home in Brisbane and after a family reunion with their three children held a news
• Kerry and Kay Danes touch down (Sydney Morning Herald or AAP/The Age or AAP/Excite Australia) --Kerry & Kay Danes have arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a Qantas flight after their almost yearlong detention in Laos. The couple were whisked out of a side door of the airport, avoiding a large media contingent
• Freed Australian couple arrive home from Laos (AFP/Yahoo! Singapore) --Australian couple Kerry & Kay Danes... arrived back in Australia Friday. The couple landed in Brisbane but eluded a press pack after authorities whisked them from the airport via a special exit for a private reunion with their three
• Danes touch down in Brisbane (Australian BC Online) --Australian couple Kerry & Kay Danes have arrived home in Brisbane almost a year after they were arrested for gem smuggling in Laos. The Danes have spent 10 months in detention & another month waiting for an official pardon
• Danes due home today (AAP/The Age or Australian BC Online) --Australian couple Kerry and Kay Danes are due to arrive home today after being freed from jail in Laos this week. The Danes are due home in Brisbane today after being granted a pardon this week by the Laotian government.

Le 10 Novembre 2001

• Russian protester expelled from Laos (Moscow Times) --A Russian political activist almost ended up a prisoner of conscience in Laos after being arrested last month for staging a protest demanding democratic reforms in the poor southeast Asian country, which is run by a communist
• Laos deports European rights activists (Financial Times) --Five European activists, including a member of the European Parliament, were ordered to be deported from Laos yesterday, after a court convicted them of attempting to spread unrest in the Communist-ruled country.
• Anti-govt protest: Laos to deport 5 jailed Westerners -- Activists found guilty, get 2-year suspended jail sentences (The Nation) --A Lao court yesterday ordered the immediate deportation of five Western activists arrested last month for staging a pro-democracy demonstration in Vientiane. The court sentenced the five protesters from Europe to two-year
• No beg-pardons as jailed couple arrive home (Sydney Morning Herald) --The Australian couple who have returned home after being released from a Lao jail say they may have been freed earlier if corrupt payments had been made to "bad apples" in the Lao Govt. "Suggestions of that kind were made,"
• Danes 'don't have to pay fine': Downer (Australian BC Online or backup) --The Federal Government has told Kerry and Kay Danes they will not have to pay more than $1 million in fines to the Lao Government. The couple is back in Australia after months in jail in Laos accused of stealing gems and cash.
• Alien workers: Government 'failing on illegal immigration' -- Some two million are still in the country (Bangkok Post) --Govt had failed to implement effective measures to contain the rising number of illegal immigrants from Laos, Cambodia & Burma. "Extensions of permits for these alien workers seemed to have been given with no end in sight
• Sihanouk seeks end to border disputes (AP/The Star) --In rare public remarks, King Norodom Sihanouk appealed to Cambodia’s neighbours – Vietnam, Laos & Thailand – to respect his country’s vulnerable borders. “For us, we have no desire to claim former territories from them

Le 11 Novembre 2001

Le 12 Novembre 2001

• Lao population predicted to double (AP/Environmental News) --Laos is facing a population explosion that threatens to double the number of people in 25 years, posing a grave threat to the communist state's anti-poverty measures, an official was quoted Friday as saying.
• Laos cuts an unjust deal (The Age/The Nation or backup) --As dirty deals go, Australia's arrangement with Laos to secure the release of Kay and Kerry Danes was hardly dirt cheap. The price that Laos extracted for a presidential pardon was considerable: 1.14 million Australian dollars
• Ebait Inc./Barrington Foods International Inc. signs distribution agreement with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Business Wire/Yahoo!) --Barrington Foods International Inc. has entered into a distribution agreement with Hong Kong-based Galactic Gold Agents Ltd. to distribute its line of milk products in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Burma).
• Laos: SWIFT banking system to enter use in December (Laos NA or backup) --The use of the SWIFT system is very important for the bank because it can be linked with international banks worldwide... It would be very convenient for customers and the payment service will be promoted to the international
• ASEAN army chiefs to hold meeting on terrorism (Reuters/Yahoo! Singapore)
  Philippines said that the 10 army chiefs of the ASEAN were scheduled to meet in Manila on Thursday to draw up plans against terrorism in the region. The meeting, dubbed "ASEAN Armies' Evolving Role in Counter-Terrorism,"
• Ex-Indochina wives 'pamper' mates; but, lo, be the cheats! (Manila Bulletin)
  Anyway, former Indochina countries such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, & even their neighbor, Thailand, have a generous crop of penile surgeons, in fact, something like a dime a dozen. The reason being that such incidents
• Hong Kong, Singapore freest economies in world, [Laos the worst] (CNN) --Worst among Asia's bottom feeders is North Korea. But the socialist regime in Laos scored almost as badly, & the military regime in Burma comes close. The central Asian countries of Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan also rank among the most repressed places to do business. 

Le 13 Novembre 2001

• Laos & Thailand: Border transportation to the 3rd country implemented (Laos NA) ---The use of Laos & Thailand as a goods transportation routes to third countries has recently become an official reality thanks to an agreement with Thailand to be implemented in 2002. “Lao goods will be transported
• Gestures of friendship: For the six countries along the Mekong Basin, celebrating common cultural traditions has become a sight to see (Bangkok Post/FT)
  Whether Chinese, Vietnamese, Lao, Burmese, Cambodian or Thai, their ethnic affiliation is evident in the spectacular dances and performances now being staged at the Laan Thong Mekong Basin Cultural Park.
• All my sisters and me: A two-day meeting aims to help female religious work more in sync (Bangkok Post/FT) ---Women religion and spiritual leaders from Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Malaysia, Taiwan & Thailand convenes today at Sathira Dhammasatan, a Buddhist meditation and retreat centre in Bang Khen, for a two-day meeting
• Arroyo & Megawati push for ASEAN agreement on terrorism (Asia Pulse/Yahoo! Singapore) --President Arroyo disclosed that she and Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri are now working together on a pluralistic agreement to combat transnational crimes, including terrorism, involving all five original members

Le 14 Novembre 2001

• Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Japan to examine site for second Mekong bridge (Kyodo NS/BBC MS/FT or backup) --Foreign ministry officials from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Japan will meet next week to examine sites for a 2nd Japanese-financed bridge across the Mekong River. The ministers are to meet in the northeastern Thai province
• Hmong and Lao citizenship: Congress may extend deadline for test (Pioneer Planet)--
  Hmong and Lao veterans who served as America's secret army during the Vietnam War are on the verge of being granted an extra 18 months to take the U.S. citizenship test in their native language. Congress is preparing to
• ASEAN military leaders to meet on measures against terrorism (Xinhua NA/Northern LT) --The army chiefs of the ASEAN arrived in Manila Wed. for their 2nd annual multilateral meeting scheduled on Thurs. to discuss "common measures in fighting global terrorism." The meeting will see the 10 army leaders express

Le 15 Novembre 2001

• Alcoholic beverages: Beer Lao wants Beer Thai link-up -- Partner essential for expansion (Bangkok Post) --State-run Beer Lao, the only Laotian brewer, is pressing hard for a strategic partnership with whisky tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi's Beer Thai, the maker of Beer Chang, after its former Thai shareholders disposed of their
• Lao NA President to visit Myanmar (Xinhua NA/Northern LT) --Lao National Assembly President Samane Vignaket will pay a goodwill visit to Myanmar soon, according to an official announcement here Thursday. 
  Samane will make the trip at the invitation of Vice-Chairman of the Myanmar
• Your guide to cycling [in] Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia (Xtra Limited) --Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia are Southeast Asia's hottest cycling destinations combining spectacular coastal & inland scenery, amazing history & a rich array of cultural experiences en route. And now you can take to the road
• Isan region draws lion's share of visitors (Bangkok Post) --Geographically, Nakhon Phanom & Ubon Ratchathani serve as the gateway to the region and land-locked Laos. Since Ubon Ratchathani shares a border with Laos, it is easy to access & will become more popular.
• ASEAN armies to conduct terror-attack 'war games' (Kyodo NS/AOL) --Army chiefs from the ASEAN agreed Thursday for the first time to conduct multilateral ''war games'' to prepare themselves for a terrorist attack in the region... The simulation exercise is vital to the region in its bid to come up

Le 16 Novembre 2001

• Kay Danes "feels like mum again" (AAP/The Age) --Kay Danes says she could not bear to look at photos of her children while imprisoned in a Laos jail with her husband on charges of embezzlement. Kay, 34, & her husband Kerry, 43, were jailed three days before Christmas
• Laos: Strong condemnation of the Vientiane authorities by the European Parliament, which calls in particular for a swift, fair trial for the five Lao student leaders arrested on October 26, 1999 and not heard of since (Transnational Radical Party)--The European Parliament today adopted by unanimous vote a resolution on the arbitrary arrests and the political situation in Laos. The resolution was presented by the Foreign Affairs Commission following the arrest
• Thai, Lao journalists in co-operation deal (Bangkok Post)--Thai Journalists Association & its Lao counterpart have agreed to set up a news co-ordinating centre to exchange information & publish a bilingual handbook. The agreement was made during a recent seminar held in Laos.
• NA, Diet to bolster parliamentary co-op (Laos NA or backup) --Lao National Assembly & Japanese Diet, the lower house of parliament, are considering further co-op on population & development issues, according to NA President Samane Viyakhet. Viyakhet held talks with Member of
• Senior General Than Shwe receives President of Lao PDR National Assembly (New Light of Myanmar) --Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received President of the National Assembly of the Lao PDR Mr Samane Vignaket & party in the Credentials Hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw this afternoon.
• Chinese PPCC Vice Chairman meets Lao delegation (Xinhua NA/Northern LT) --Vice Chairman Li Guixian of the National Committee of the Chinese PPCC met here Friday with a delegation of the Lao PRP headed by Soulivong Daravong, member of the party's central committee and minister of industry
• Vietnam signs agreements on FAO's food programs in Laos and the Congo (Vietnam NA) --Vietnam's Ambassador to Italy Le Vinh Thu has signed an agreement on behalf of the Prime Minister on tripartite co-op between the Vietnamese and Lao Govts and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• U.S. wants to join S.E. Asia anti-terror plan (Reuters/Excite) --The U.S. wants to be involved in anti-terrorism initiatives agreed by Southeast Asian nations this month, the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific said. Admiral Dennis Blair told reporters the U.S. saw the accord

Le 17 Novembre 2001

• Laos to hold assembly elections in Feb. (Reuters/Singapore) --Laos will hold the next National Assembly election in February 2002, one year earlier than expected, in accordance with a national development plan and as part of reforms pledged to foreign donors last year.
• Australian Peter Martin detained in Laos -- DFAT (AAP/The Age or AAP/News Limited) --A 50-year-old Australian man was being detained in Laos, a week after the release of fellow Australians Kerry & Kay Danes, the govt confirmed today. The Dept of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) said Peter Martin had been detained in
• Australia says businessman detained in Laos (Reuters/AOL) --The Australian govt said a 50-year-old Australian businessman had been detained in Laos, but there were no details of the charges.  "I know that he has been arrested.  I believe charges are to be laid & we are endeavouring
• Another Australian arrested in Laos (AFP/Yahoo! Singapore) --Another Australian has been arrested in Laos after a business deal soured, foreign ministry officials said Saturday. FM Alexander Downer confirmed the arrest occurred after the recent release of Kerry & Kay Danes
• Downer confirms another Australian detained in Laos (Australian BC Online or here) --The Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer has confirmed another Australian is being detained in Laos... According to a newspaper report, Mr Martin was arrested after he allegedly failed to pay almost $500,000 in debts
• Another Australian detained in Laos - report (AAP/The Age)--Authorities in Laos have reportedly detained an Australian businessman, just one week after pardoning Queensland couple Kerry & Kay Danes. A report in The Weekend Australian said the Australian manager of a proposed

Le 23 novembre 2001

• Lao-Thai co-op in drug suppression (Laos NA or VienTianesTimes) ---In 2001, there have been 110 drug-related investigations resulting in the arrest of 207 persons... Police officers have confiscated 22.77 kg of heroin, 72,141 kg of amphetamines, opium, and 1,592 kg of dried marijuana.
• Govt officials meet with Australian detained in Laos (Australian BC News Online)---After more than a week of negotiations, the Dept of Foreign Affairs has been given access to an Australian man being detained in Laos. Officials were allowed consular access to 50-year-old Peter Martin late last night.
• Economic zones: Laos, Vietnam agree to foster trade ties -- Improved tourism infrastructure is also being planned (Bangkok Post or backup or here) ---Thailand, Laos & Vietnam have agreed to further foster commercial ties by giving investment priority to shared economic zones. Their foreign ministers ... met yesterday to discuss closer ties fostered by the planned Thai-Lao
• Mekong bridge to open East-West trade corridor linking Laos to the sea (Australian BC)---The implications of another bridge across the Mekong River are being considered by foreign ministers from Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. They have met a senior Japanese official over a Japanese-financed bridge
• Laos: More women needed in politics (Laos NA or VT)---At least 30 percent of the candidates for the upcoming National Assembly elections will be female, according to the resolution made at a nationwide workshop on Women in Politics that wound up here yesterday.
• Market talk: Oxiana hits 12-month high (Dow Jones/Yahoo! Singapore)--Investors warm to Oxiana Resources (OXR), up 1.5 cents or 9.1% to year-high of 18 cents, and up from recent mid-September low of 10 cents, on emerging strength of 80%-owned Sepon copper/gold project in Laos.
• Viet army enterprises to introduce products to Laos (Vietnam NA)---Five army enterprises will participate in a trade fair slated to open in Vientiane, Laos, on Nov. 30. In a 260-sq.m. pavilion, they will exhibit products that are already recognised in the domestic market and display
• Vietnam is ready to cooperate with and assist Laos, says Viet Deputy PM (Vietnam NA) ---Deputy PM Dung expressed his pleasure at current political and economic stability in Laos and improved living conditions. He said that the Party, State and people of Vietnam are ready to cooperate with and assist Laos
• Vietnam and Laos' Party newspaper further cooperation (Vietnam NA)---Cooperation in personnel training, exchange of information, and journalists' fact-finding tours were discussed by Editor-in-Chief, Khamkay Viengsavan, of the Pasason (the People) daily of Laos and his counterpart, Dinh The
• America: School woos immigrants -- Non-English speakers sought (Des Moines Register)---Chanthee Vohanh, a native of Laos and a resident of Sioux City for two decades, will earn $20,628 as the college's part-time Southeast Asian coordinator. His duties include designing classes for and recruiting Asian
• America: DSS wants to end custody of girl who married at age 12 (News & Observer)
  The Spartanburg County Dept of Social Services had accused the parents, who are from Laos, of giving the girl to Her for marriage in return for $5,500. Lawyers for Her & the parents didn't deny the exchange of money
• America: Hmong New Year time for reflection (Green Bay Press-Gazette)---Thousands of Hmong from throughout the state are expected to gather for the Green Bay Hmong New Year Celebration, which begins at 8 a.m. Sat. at ShopKo Hall. The Hmong New Year is a time for Hmong to take a break
• America: Hmong fete new year (Orange County Register)---At least it was New Year's for the more than 500 Hmong from throughout Southern California who gathered on the campus Thursday to kick off a 3-day celebration to bid goodbye to the old year & welcome in the new one.

Le 24 novembre 2001

• Lao-Thai drugs meeting: Speed flowing through Laos (Bangkok Post) --Illicit drugs from Thailand & Burma are crossing Lao borders instead, said the man running Laos' anti-drugs effort. "Our territory is being used to send illicit drugs to our neighbouring countries,'' Soubanh Srithirath told the 4th
• America: "The Hmong world is here' (Pioneer Planet) --For Mao Vue, 65, the festivities in downtown St. Paul help keep alive memories of New Year's gatherings of her youth in the mountains of Laos. For young & old alike, the opportunity to immerse in & showcase Hmong
• America: Hmong New Year has modern changes but is still anchored in tradition (Star Tribune) --In Laos, a Hmong New Year celebration lasted more than a week & featured cockfights, spin-top games played barefoot in the dirt and revelers in colorful Hmong garb. The Minnesota version that began Friday & continues through the weekend in St. Paul is held indoors, & features men in suits, vendors selling their wares & beauty pageants

Le 26 Novembre 2001

• LAO BORDER INCIDENT: Word due on errant
  BPP men -- Fate of two Thai border policemen detained by Laos remains unknown (The Nation or BBC MS/FT)
  The fate of two border-patrol policemen detained by Lao soldiers for more than a week remained unknown yesterday, but a provincial police commander said he expected a report from Lao authorities today.
• ADB loans to Laos reach 50 mil in 2002 (Laos NA or backup)
  In the 2002 period, the ADB will provide US$ 50 million in loans for three new projects & technical granted aid for 11 projects, according to documents signed here at the State Planning & Cooperation Committee.
• North Korea: Top party official meets visiting Lao delegation (BBC MS/FT)
  Choe Thae-bok, secretary of the CC of the Korean Workers' Party, today met & had a talk with the delegation of the national organization for the studies of politics & administration of Laos, led by its vice-president, Kikeo
• Former DSSO head cites workload in resignation (Tuluth News Tribune)
  Susan Bunce said Sunday that she resigned as executive director of the DSSO because the job was getting to be "just a little bit too much'' and she wants to spend time with her daughter, who is a pediatrician in Laos.
• "Oriental Danube" echoes with music of friendship (Xinhua NA/Northern LT)
  "Friendship never ends if only Mekong River flows." For China, Thailand, Laos & Myanmar, the four nations located along the upper reaches of the river, also known as the "Oriental Danube", that maxim has been living since
• ADB says East Asia recovery in 2002 likely subdued (Reuters/Excite News)
  East Asia's economic downturn has worsened after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States & its anticipated recovery next year will be more subdued than previously expected, the Asian Development Bank said on Monday.

Le 27 Novembre 2001

• [Laos] prison not all bad for Danes (AAP/The Age) --The 10 months Kay & Kerry Danes spent in a Laos jail had its advantages - it led to the release of a Canadian prisoner and, oddly, sparked interest in the Brisbane couple's security firm. But their international company's future
• Laos: Zinc and copper mining to go ahead in Oudomsay (Laos NA or backup from VT) --Zinc and copper exploration and production activities look set to go ahead in Oudomsay province after Government agreements where signed with the Shanghai Jinhe Real Estate Developing Company.
• Vietnam, Laos ink co-op MoU on mountainous area development (BBC MS/FT or backup) --Under the MoU, the two countries will enhance exchange & mutual assistance in personnel training, & economic, cultural, education, & health development, further developing the friendship between the peoples of Laos
• New Zealand sees China-ASEAN free trade area as positive (Reuters/Yahoo! Singapore) --A planned free trade area between China & Southeast Asian nations would pave the way for greater liberalisation rather than divide regions, New Zealand's top trade negotiator said. "I do not see these free trade areas

Le 28 Novembre 2001

• President George W. Bush signs new legislation to assist some 40,000 Lao and Hmong veterans & widows: Extending deadline 18 additional months for Hmong and Lao veterans of U.S. secret army applying for U.S. Citizenship (Center for Public Policy Analysis) --The legislation was included in the final version of appropriations legislation funding the Commerce, Justice & State Departments. It amends an existing law, the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act, introduced & spearheaded in
• Laos: Piou cave tragedy remembered in Xieng Khuang (Laos NA or VT) --The 33rd memorial ceremony for the tragedy at Tham Piou (Piou cave), when 374 people were killed in a bombing raid during the Indochina war, was attended by Mr Samane Vignakhet, President of the NA during his
• Government says four percent of Thais addicted to drugs (Reuters/Yahoo! Singapore)
  Thailand is expected to be flooded with over 900 million methamphetamine pills next year, 200 million more than this year, due to higher demand & new plants in Laos. Sudarat said the survey showed the two least popular drugs
• Japan urges ASEAN to boost trade to get investment(Reuters/Yahoo!Singapore)--Japan's top financial diplomat Haruhiko Kuroda urged Southeast Asia on Wed. to promote intra-regional trade to cope with growing competition from China for foreign investment... Kuroda said members of the ASEAN should

Le 29 Novembre 2001

• Lao-Thai-Viet: Opening up is not without risk (Bangkok Post or BBC MS/FT) --People should prepare against a possible increase in crime & vice, & also ready themselves to reap the potential benefits, as plans proceed to build a bridge across the Mekong river linking their town with Savannakhet in Laos.
• Lao "secret army" celebrates victory in citizenship battle (AFP/Yahoo! Singapore) --Aging Lao veterans of a CIA-backed secret army of the Vietnam War savored a bitterly fought victory, after President George Bush signed legislation
• Discover Thailand Isan: The final frontier (Bangkok Post or BBC MS/FT)--
  Ms Pavaphun said other Mekong destinations like Laos and Cambodia also attract local tourists. The whole region has the potential for more business with popular attractions such as the waterfalls along Mekong, Wat Phu