since 8 February 1978); First Deputy
Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October
1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since
NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and
approved by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and
deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch

Kyrgyzstan:
chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28
October 1990)

head of government: Prime Minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV (since 22
December 2000)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year
term; elections last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held November
or December 2005); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote
- Askar AKAYEV 74%, Omurbek TEKEBAYEV 14%, other candidates 12%;
note - election marred by serious irregularities

Laos:
chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26
February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason
(since NA March 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since NA
March 2001); Deputy Prime Ministers THONGLOUN Sisolit (since NA
March 2001), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved
by the National Assembly

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a
five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held
NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president with the
approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term

election results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of
National Assembly vote - NA%

Latvia:
chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8
July 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and
appointed by the Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term;
election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2003);
prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise
candidate in second p