orm:
none
Digraph:
LA
Type:
Communist state
Capital:
Vientiane
Administrative divisions:
16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 municipality*
(kampheng nakhon, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamsai,
Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louang Namtha, Louangphrabang,
Oudomxai, Phongsali, Saravan, Savannakhet, Xekong, Vientiane,
Viangchan*, Xaignabouri, Xiangkhoang
Independence:
19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday:
National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Lao People's
Democratic Republic)
Constitution:
promulgated 14 August 1991
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President NOUHAK PHOUMSAVAN (since 25 November 1992)
head of government:
Prime Minister Gen. KHAMTAI SIPHANDON (since 15 August 1991)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president, approved by the
Assembly
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Third National Assembly:
elections last held on 20 December 1992 (next to be held NA); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (85 total) number of seats by
party NA
Judicial branch:
Supreme People's Court
Political parties and leaders:
Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), KHAMTAI Siphandon, party
president; includes Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC); other
parties moribund
Other political or pressure groups:
non-Communist political groups moribund; most leaders fled the country
in 1975
Member of:
ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,
LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador HIEM PHOMMACHANH
chancery:
2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 332-6416 or 6417
FAX:
(202) 332-4923
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Victor TOMSETH
embassy:
Rue Bartholonie, Vientiane
mailing address:
B. P. 114, Vientiane, or American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546
telephone:
[851] 2220, 2357, or 3570, 16-9581
FAX:
[851] 4675
Flag:
three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with
a large white disk centered in the blue band

@Laos, Economy

Overview:
Laos has had a Communist centrally pla