[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15762]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


HONORING AMBASSADOR SENG SOUKHATHIVONG AND THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC 
                                REPUBLIC

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. ENI F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 14, 2014

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, on August 10, 1955, the Lao People's 
Democratic Republic (PDR) and the United States established diplomatic 
relations.
  Since this time, both countries have worked together on key issues, 
including carrying out humanitarian work for and on behalf of those 
missing in action (MIA). In 2008, the Lao PDR and USA established 
military-to-military cooperation. Laos would like to work more closely 
on UXO clearance, counter-narcotics, and the Generalized System of 
Preferences (GSP).
  Laos is considered the world's most heavily bombed nation. From 1964 
through 1973, during the war in Indochina, the United States flew 
580,000 bombing runs over Laos and dropped more than 2 million tons of 
ordnance on the countryside, exceeding the amount of bombs dropped on 
Germany and Japan in World War II.
  Cluster bombs still continue to kill innocent people and also affect 
rural economic development. Estimates of the number of unexploded 
submunitions from cluster bombs range from 8 million to 80 million, 
with less than one half of one percent destroyed, and less than 1% of 
contaminated lands cleared.
  In response to a hearing I held in April 2010 drawing attention to 
the situation during my service as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia 
and the Pacific and after U.S. Secretary of State Clinton made her 
historic visit to Laos in 2012, the U.S. government increased 
assistance to Laos from $5 million to $9 million in 2012; and up to $12 
million in 2014.
  While the Lao government appreciates the assistance, this is a 
pittance. In order to be bomb-free, Laos needs the United States to 
assume responsibility for UXO clearance and contribute significantly--
in a way that would make a difference.
  Regarding counter-narcotics, the United States has facilitated the 
work of the National Committee for Drug Control and Supervision since 
1989. Due to Lao government action and international cooperation 
between 1998 and 2007, opium poppy cultivation has decreased by 96 
percent. However, cultivation has since risen from 1,500 hectares (ha) 
in 2007 to 6,800 ha in 2012, as estimated by the UN Office on Drugs and 
Crime (UNODC).
  Laos sits at the heart of regional drug trade in mainland southeast 
Asia and shares remote and poorly-controlled borders with Burma, 
Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and China. The Lao government recognizes 
the threat posed by illegal narcotics production and trafficking and 
has articulated policies to address it. However, the Lao government 
possesses little ability to act independently since a high percentage 
of the government budget comes from international donors. The United 
States decreased its funding from $650,000 per year to about $330,000. 
This has made it difficult for Laos to implement the 2013 work plan on 
counter-narcotics. The Lao government is hopeful that the U.S. will 
consider increased support for funding and also for further assistance 
to build rehabilitation drug treatment centers in some provinces.
  Regarding GSP, Laos became a member of the World Trade Organization 
(WTO) in 2013 and is looking forward to promoting bilateral trade with 
countries in the world including the United States. Laos is hopeful 
that the United States will consider GSP approval to Laos.
  The Lao government is represented in the U.S. by His Excellency Seng 
Soukhathivong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao 
People's Democratic Republic to the United States. Ambassador Seng 
Soukhathivong began his diplomatic duties in June 26, 2010. He served 
as First Secretary and Counselor from 1993 to 1997; and in 2001 as 
Minister Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Lao Embassy in 
Washington D.C. Ambassador Soukhathivong has more than 30 years of 
experience in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  Ambassador Seng Soukhathivong has worked to strengthen bilateral 
relations and to promote trade and investment in Laos. He has also been 
a strong advocate in calling for the removal of cluster bombs in Laos 
and in urging the U.S. government to provide greater assistance. He is 
my dear friend and brother, and I commend him for his outstanding 
service.
  I extend my kindest and highest regards to His Excellency Seng 
Soukhathivong and his lovely and talented wife, Madam Somdy 
Soukhathivong, and their two children, Prakaiseng and Sengfa. It has 
been my distinct honor to know them, and I wish them the very best.

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