JPRS-SEA-86-200
12 NOVEMBER 1986
southeast Asia Report
[FBIS] FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
JPRS-SEA-86-200 12 NOVEMBER 1986
SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORT
CONTENTS LAOS Lao Leaders Condole Death of Mozambique President (Kaysone Phomvihan; Vientiane Domestic Service, 23 Oct 86) PASASON Article on New Economic Guidance Zone (Vientiane Domestic Service, 29 Sep 86) ..cccccccccceveces Old, New Economic Mechanisms Discussed (Vientiane Domestic Service, 9 Oct 86) .ccccccccesccsceses Background, Development of New Constitution Described (Dam Van Hieu; LUAT HOC. No 4. Oct-Dec 84) “ete eeeeeeneeeee Briefs Phoun Sipaseut Receives Japanese Delegation DPRK’s Kim I[l-song Sends Message Japanese Delegation Visits Sali Vongkhamsao THALLAND
Paper Says U.S.-USSR Should End Expulsion ‘Game’ (Editorial; BANGKOK POST, 23 Oct Bh ) ee eee eee ee
U.S. Admiral Cited on War Reserve Agreement (BANGKOK WORLD, 20 Oct Re) ee ee eeweeeeeeeeereeeeeeeeeeerer re ee
Defense Minister Approves Bell Helicepter Deal (THE NATION, 21 Oct $6 ) ee nee eeeneeeeeeeereeer eer er er er er rc erm rhe eee
Foreign Ministry on SRV Border Violations (Bangkok Domestic Service, 17 Oct 86) ceccccccccccccecseses
VOFA Terms Vietnamese Incursions ‘Deliberate’ (Bangkok Voice of Free Asia, 15 Oct B4 ) cleweee ee eeeeeeeeee
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Reportage on Visit by India's Rajiv Gandhi (Bangkok Voice of Free Asia, 20 Oct 86; THE NATION,
21 Oct 86) Sd
Prem Speech at Banquet, by Prem Tinsulanon Differences on Foreign Services Noted Editorial Hails Results of Visit
Report on Visit by EC Commissioner Cheysson (BANGKOK POST, 18 Oct 86; Bangkok Domestic Service,
18 Oct 86) Se
Discusses Intellectual Property Rights Holds Press Conference
Daily on ASEAN-EEC Dialogue (Editorial; BANCKOK POST, 15 Oct 86) re
Sitthi: Time Needed To Solve Burmese Log Problems ( BANGKOK POST, 20 Oct 84) ee
Surat Accused of Manipulating Tapioca Price ( BANGKOK POST, 21 Oct Re) “eee ee ee eeereeretreneneer errr ere rere ere eh ee
Paper Calls on Deputy Minister Surat To Resign (Editorial; BANGKOK POST, 22 Oct 86) “eo ee ee eee eee ee
MATICHON Editorial on Chawalit’s ‘Warning’ (MATICHON, 17? Oct 84) “ee ee ee eeeereeereneneere eer er err er er er er err eh rhe hl eee
Editorial Reacts to Chawalit Remark on Government (SLAM RAT, 20 Oct 84) “eee ee eereeeeeeereeneeereer eee rere eer erm ermhUcermhUcemhUc ee hU ee
Parliament Rejects Constitutional Amendment Bill ( Bangkok Television Service, 21 Oct 84 ) eee eee eeeeneeneeneneee
Deep-Sea Port Project Gains Final Approval ( BANGKOK POST, 16 Oct 84) ee
Draft of White Paper on Farm Act Effects (THE NATION, 20 Oct a4) ee ee ee ee
Briefs War Reserve Talks With U.S. Vietnamese Arrested After Border Crossing Iceland's Prime Minister Arrives Scientific Agreement With Chile Outgoing Ambassadors DPRK Official Visits House Speaker
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COALITION GOVERNMENT OF DEMOCRATIC KAMPUCHEA
VODK Reports DK Delegate's Address at UN Meeting (Voice of Democratic Kampuchea, 8 Oct 86) ...cccccccccecss
DK Army Command Praises Soldiers’ Success (Voice of Democratic Kampuchea, 17 Oct 86) ...ccccccccces:
SRV 7701th Divisional Command Attacked 10 October (Voice of Democratic Kampuchea, 18 Oct 86) ...cccccccccees
VONADK Battle Reports for 10-16 October (Voice of the National Army of Democratic Kampuchea, 10-16 Oct 86) “ee ee ee eeeeeereereeneeeereeeer er ee eer ere rm rhc rhc rhc rhc mhUc OhUr hme
VONADK Battle Reports for 17-23 October (Voice of the National Army of Democratic Kampuchea, 17-23 Oct 86 ) ee ee |
Briefs Siem Reap Airport Shelling Actions in Battambang Trucks Ambushed in Oddar Meanchey Trucks Ambushed in Kompong Speu Messages From DPRK Leaders Train Attacked in Kampot
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KAMPUCHEA
Bou Tnang Opens Army Fuel Storage Installations (Phnom Penh Domestic Service, 17 Oct 85) eee rere eee ee
Heng Samrin Greets 10th OIJ Congress in Sofia (SPK, 21 Oct BA) ee ee eeneneeeeneneeeneeeeeeeereeeeeeeeeeeer eer er ee
Heng Samrin Greets World Congress for Peace (SPK, 2° Ont 84 ) “ee ee vrenereenenereeeeeeeer eee eee eeeer er err er er er em eee
Polish Ambassador Presents Credentials to Heng Samrin (SPK, 17 Oct 86) “ee et eeeeeeeneeneeeneeeeee eee eee err err er er er erm eh ee
Division Commander Reports Result of Border Battles (Ung Sidare; Phnom Penh Domestic Service, 16 Oct 86) .....
Phnom Penh Radio Summarizes Week's Military Activity (Phnom Penh Dome st ic Service, 16 Oct 86) ee eee eee
Pracheachon Marks First Anniversary 11 October (Phnom Penh Domestic Service, 15 Oct 86) c.ccccccccccecess
National Conference on Forestry, Fishing Ends (Phnom Penh Domestic Service, 16 Oct B86) ..cccccecscevcees
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Report on Agricultural Developments 13-19 Octcber (Various sources, various dates) OPP Pee eee eee eee eee eee)
SRV Province Aid to Takeo Described (NHAN DAN, 4 Jul 84) ee
SRV Province Aid to Kandal Pescribed (NHAN DAN, 9 Aug 86) ee ee ee ee ee |
Briefs Students Overseas Locations Trainees in Southern Vietnam Military Medical Trainees Greeting to Perez de Cuellar
VLETNAM
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, TRADE, AND AID
Envoy Lauds USSR Peace Initiatives in UN Speech (VNA, 20 Oct 84) ee
NHAN DAN Denounces Weinberger Pakistan Visit (VNA, 20 Oct 85) ee ee ee ee
NHAN DAN Supports Japanese People's Struggle (VNA, 21 Oct 84) er ee ee eee eereeneeeereeeeeeeeer eee eer er erm rhc mC eh mh eh hee
NHAN DAN Article Welcomes Copenhagen Peace Congress (VNA, 15 Oct 84) “err ee Pe eeeeeeeeeeeeeereeereeer eee ere ermlcrmUc Oe mhUc mhUCc hCUc hc CU eh Ue
NHAN DAN Supports Southern African People's Struggle (VNA, 18 Oct 86) vee ee eee eer eee e eer eee ee ere eee ere ee CC CC eee
SRV Leaders Send Condolences to Mozambique (VNA, 21 Oct 84) ee ee
Pham Van Dong Greets Journalists Congress (VNA, 19 Oct 85) ere Peewee eeeeeeee ee ee eerer eee er eee er erm emcee he eee
Syrian Vice President Praises Vietnamese People (VNA, 16 Oct 84) “ere ee ewe eeeeer eee eee eee ere eer errr er ere hh Ch CC eee
UN Secretary General Receives Vo Dong Giang (VNA, L5 Oct 84) >see? @P ee eee eee eer ere ee ee see eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Briefs Buenos Aires Conference Cooperation Protocol With GDR ICAO Montreal Talks Soviet Afghan Withdrawal Paper
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DPRK Envoy Joins Harvest Angola War Urged Stopped Civil Aviation Confereace War Stockpile in Thailand Vo Dong Giang Visits Japan AAPSO Delegation Visits Zambian National Day
PARTY ACTIVITIES AND GOVERNMENT Ho Chi Minh City Youth Assault Force History Reviewed (Vu Mao; THANH NIEN, May 84 ) eee ete eeeereereereeerereeeereee ere er ©
Tay Ninh Reports Success With ‘Communist Youth Projects’ (Huynh Phu Lac; THANH NIEN, May 86 ) Oe ee eee eee eee eee ee
Activities, Makeup of Assault Propaganda Youth Unit Described (Phung Quang; THANH NIEN, May 84) *eererereeeereeeeeeeeeeeeee ee ©
AGRICULTURE
Briefs Agricultural Production Progress
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JPRS-SEA-86-200 12 November 1986
LAO LEADERS CONDOLE DEATH OF MOZAMBIQUE PRESIDENT BK231447 Vientiane Domestic Service in Lao 0000 GMT 23 Oct 86
[Message of condolences from Kaysone Phomvihan, general secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and chairman of the LPDR Council of Ministers, and Comrade Souphanouvong, president of state and chairman of the SPC of the LPDR, to the Frelimo Party Central Committee, the Standing Commission of the Mozambique Feople's Assembly, and the Government of the People's Republic of Mozambique, on the death of Samora Machel--date not given)
{Text] Respected Comrades: The LPRP Central Committee, the SPC, anc the LPDR Council of Ministers have learned with deep grief of the death of Comrade Samora Machel, chairman of the Frelimo Party and president of the People's Khepublic of Mozambique, and a number of high-ranking cadres of Mozambique in a plane crash whose detailed cause has not yet been established.
Comrade Samora Machel was a staunch and gallant revolutionary, respected and beloved leader of the Mozambique people, and a world-renowned politician. His passing away is a great loss to the party, government, and people of Mozambique and to the struggle movements of nations for peace, national independence, and social progress.
In this prevailing sorrowful atmosphere, we would like to express our deep sorrow and to share this profoutd grief with the Frelimo Party, the covernment, and the fraternal people of Mozambique, and the bereaved families.
1/9274 CSO: 426/16
JPRS-SEA-86-200 12 November 1986
PASASON ARTICLE ON NEW ECONOMIC CULDANCE ZONT BK12\128 Vientiane Domestic Service in Lao 0430 GMT 29 Sep 86
[Feature article: “New Economic Guidance Zone of Savannakhet Province’ published in PASASON--no date given)
[Text] Based on the growth and development of work, population, and land, and based on the true situation in Savannakhet Province, implementing the provincial Resolution on the Direct Establishment of Cuidance Zones, No 76 dated 21 August 1986, on 1 September the party and administrative committees of Savannakhet Province held a ceremony to officially declare eight cantons in Champhon District and one canton in Thapangthong District as parts of the province's guidance zone,
In this guidance zone there are a total of nine cantons--(Sonp Neak), (Nong Pham), Beung Sang, (Muang Fong), Kabao, (Long Soul), (Nong Nam), and (Lam Ngai). This zone is a cradel of rice and fish. It is abundant in plain areas, labor, scenic landscapes, and fine climate all year round. The people have kad the traditions of industry and courage in their unyielding struggle against enemies.
The guidance zone borders Atsephangthong District in the north, Songkhon and Thapangthong Districts in the south, Phin District in the east, and Champhon District in the west. Then nine cantons which are parts of the new economic guidance zone are composed of 92 villages inhabited by 27,437 people, 5,5°9 hectares of rice fields, 17,898 buffalo, 17,279 oxen, 12,339 pips, and thousands of poultry. This zone has under its jurisdiction 42 agricultural cooperative units with cooperative members totalling 56.69 percent of the whole population in the zone working on 67.21 percent of all rice fields here.
Before this year's main farming season the local administration organized six management and pianning courses for the board of directors and the agricultural cooperative control committee, The courses were attended by 205 persons. Cooperetive members have organized and guided each other to spread 5,512 tons of animal manure on rice fields and built and repaired 26,980 meters of dikes around paddyfields t» contain water, Regarding irrigation, there are now three small permanent dams and three temporary ones. Some 24 others are being built in 1986,
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Regarding, cultivation work, in addition to growing rice, the cooperative members have planted corn on more than 6 hectares, potatoes on 1.5 hectare, peanuts on 1.5 hectare, cotton on 1 hectare, 1,270 coconut trees, and 6,670 mango trees. banana trees, sugar cane, and other fruit trees have been planted too,
The comrade who is responsible for the guidance zone told our correspondent that in addition to carrying out national defense and public security work
and the task of consolidating the administration and enabling the dictator- ship of the proletariat at each level to guide and lead its work, another main task is to tend the main rice crop by clearing grass from rice fields, spread- ing fertilizer, building dikes around rice fields, maintaining water levels in the rice fields, and making the paddyfields green and to fulfill the expected target of 2.8 metric tons per hectare. This wil] !°ad the people of all ethnic minorities in the new economic guidance zone to enjoy a better iife gradually.
(9274 CSO: 4206/16
OLD, NEW ECONOMIC MECHANISMs DISCUSSED BK191054 Vientiane Domestic Service in Lec 1030 GMT 9 Oct 86
[Feature on “Knewledge Abc it New Mechanism” entitled: “Bureaucratic and State- Financing Mechanisms Obstruct Our Advance~ent” |
[Text] Respected listeners, as the transformation and building of a new economic management mechanism is one of this year's tasks, the party and state have thus issued many resolutions, orders, and repulations clearly explaining the task, Many training courses have been organized for leading cadres, key cadres, and management cadres in charge of various economic units. As a result, our cadres, workers, and people have clearly perceived and under- stood the need to do away with the bureaucratic and state-financine mechanism and are determined to turn toward the new economic management mechanisn., Nevertheless, some matters remain unclear and some bad clements are trying to distort then,
Therefore, to enable everyone to further understand and singlemindedly imple- ment the new mechanism, we would like to present some basic ontents of the transformation and building of the new economic manapement mechanism being carried out by various economic units, The following is a feature on knowledge about the new mechanism under the title: “Bureaucratic and State-Financing Mechanisms Obstruct Our Advancement.”
The party and state and our people are trying their best to splendidly fulfill three main tasks this year--to prepare for the Fourth LPRP Congress, improve and rebuild organizational apparatuses, and transform and build the new econ~- omic management mecha*ism, Everyone should be able to understand the adverse effects of the old mecaxnisms, clearly distinguish the old from the new mech- anism, and grasp the sew mechanism--an important issue of today.
As everyone knows, implementing the resolutions of the Third Party Congress
and various resolutions of the party Central Committee over the past 10 years, particularly the first 5-year state plan ending in 1985, the economic situation in our country has positively changed, and some outstanding examples on manage- ment organizing have emerged. Yet, weaknesses and shortcomings in many re- spects remain to be resolved. For example, the tempo of production development is still slow; work efficiency remains low; hidden agricultural, forestry, and industrial potentials have not been exploited and utilized; investment in build- ing material and technical bases has been faced with considerable difficulties
in the past 10 years; economic productivity remains low; losses are incurred in various sectors; the direction of the state and people working jointly has not been effectively implemented; some enterprises remain inoperative so far; economic relations and socialist production are developing slowly; various economic sectors have not yet been broadly utilized in business and proauc- tion; and the socialist economy has not yet assumed the leading role.
In addition, to restrict and transform the nonsocialist economic sectors,
the party's guideline on the restriction and transformation has not been positively implemented; and various economic sectors which are beneficial
to the state and people have not yet been utilized, Some localities have imposed restrictions on private trade, thus delaying the development of trade activities and affecting society's life. Relations among all-people, collec- tive, and private ownerships remain in a state of imbalance. Only one-sided production relation is implemented while production forces have not been built. Production tools are not proportionate with production forces. Meanwhile, the circvlation and distribution activitics have not yet been effectively carried out, It is still difficult to obtain :ice for consumption while production output is increasing. More difficuities are encountered by those living in mountainous and remote areas, for example, in the educational and cultural spheres and in daily living. Financial, trade, export, and im- pott activities have not yet been effectively carried out: the production of primary material for sale as secondary foods has not been broadly implemented; budget and cash are not balanced; and marketing management is not effective yet. As a result, our cadres, combatants, workers, and people in some creas have encountered many difficulties, ani negative aspects have thus emerged,
The above situation is caused by both objective and subjective difficulties. Another main cause is our low level of economic management. What is most dangerous is that we continued to maintai:: and carry out the old management methods and mechanism of centralized, buresucratic, and state-ftinancing types. Ir short, this is the bureaucratic and state-financing mechanism,
(9274 CSO: 4206/16
JPRS-SEA-86-200 12 November 1986
LAOS
BACKGROUND, DEVELOPMENT OF NEW CONSTITUTION DESCRIBED Hanoi LUAT HOC in Vietnamese No 4 Oct-Dec 86 pp 55-60
[Article by Dam Van Hieu: "On the Development of a New Constitution for the Lao People's Democratic Republic”)
(Excerpt) I. The August Uprising and the 1945 Constitution
The 1945 constitution has a foreword and 41 articles. The foreword criticized the king's attitude of agreeing to return the Kingdom of Luang Prabang to French control. It regarded this as going against the wishes of the people, who wanted their country to be totally independent. At the same time, it declared that Laos was being transformed from a colony into an independent democracy. Another notable advance was that the foreword affirmed that this constitution was the highest law of the land. Everyone, from the king to common citizens, had to obey this constitution. No one could violate it.
The foreword pointed out that this constitution was formulated with the sole aim of satisfying the requirements of the historical stage at that moment and that it was not some permanent entity. Thus, later on, if it was felt that some article was not in accord with the country's needs, the constitution could be changed. The contents of the constitution are very concise. It mentions only a few important problems and does not go deeply into those problems.
The first problem mentioned by the constitution was the territorial problem. Laos has as area of 237,000 square km (it is about the size of England and three-fifths the size of Japan). It is about 1,000 km long calculated from the northernmost point in Gnot Ou to the southernmost point in Li Phi. In the history of Laos, there were periods when Laos was divided. That made it easy for outside enemies to invade and occupy the country. For example, around the beginning of the 18th Century, Laos was divided into the kingdoms of Luang Prabang, Lan Sang, Vientiane, and Champassak. In the end, the feudal Siamese invaded and gained domination. Laos became a colony of France in 1893. Using the traditional policy of "divide and rule," the French colonialists divided Laos into several regions having different administrative systems. They divided Laos into upper Laos and lower Laos. Luang Prabang was made the capital of upper Laos, and Muong Khong was made the capital of lower Laos. Besides these two regions, they also set aside a zone known as the "Kingdom of
Luang Prabang" to be administered by the king. But they installed a French "resident superior" to “inspect and guide” things. In reality, it was this French official who wielded real power.
From the above historical experiences, Article 1 of Laos’ 1945 constitution stated that "Laos is a unified country, and no one may partition it.” Article 2 lists the provinces of Laos. These stipulations, which were necessary and correct, were aimed at forestalling any possible plot by the imperialists, particularly the French colonialists, who were then returning with the expectation of reoccupying Laos, to divide the country.
The second problem discussed by this constitution was the matter of the king. At that time, Laos was a kingdom. Even though it criticized the king as mentioned above, the constitution stated that the king was the leader of the country (Article 4) and that he had the tasks and powers of a nead of state. For example, he had the power to convene a meeting of the National Assembly at any time (Article 24), to declare martial law (Article 35), to declare war and Sign treaties with other countries (Article 36) and to grant amnesty (Article 37). Laos had been a kingdom for generations. With the conditions and balance of class power then existing, it was essential to declare the above in order to assemble the forces and forge struggle solidarity among the various classes in order to protect national independence, which had been won just recently, and resist the French colonialists, who were eager to restore their rule over Laos. However, the point that should be noted here is that this constitution contained many stipulations aimed at limiting the powers of the king. Article 4 stated that “sovereignty derives from the Lao people." In using his powers, the king had to adhere to the constitution. In promulgating laws, the king had to follow the guidelines of the National Assembly and receive the approval of the National Assembly (Article 5). The king had to use his legal powers through the Council of Ministers and his judicial powers through the courts (articles 6 and 7). Royal edicts had to be in accord with the laws (Article 38). Royal edicts were not effective until signed by a minister (Article 10).
The third problem discussed in the constitution was the rights and obligations of Lao citizens. This was a major advance for the people of Laos. Living under the yoke of French colonialism for more than 50 years, the Lao people were exploited and oppressed by the colonialists and did not enjoy any rights. They had to serve as civilian laborers and military conscripts and had to pay exorbitant taxes to support those who were exploiting and oppressing them. Now that the country was independent, the Lao people enjoyed the rights of citizens and had to fvlfill their obligations as citizens. The constitution recognized all Lao as equai before the law (Article 11). All "are to enjoy complete freedom of religious belief. They are completely free with respect to person, property, occupation, speech, propaganda, and education, and they are free to hold public meetings, form groups, and make complaints" (Article 12). Along with enjoying the above rights, Lao citizens were obligated to respect the laws, defend the fatherland, help government officials, and pay taxes (Article 13).
Finally, there was the problem of organizing the state administration. As mentioned above, the constitution stated that "power derives from the Lao people.” But that power was divided into three parts based on the bourgeois
theory of the separation of powers: legislative power, executive power, and judicial power. Nominally, the king enjoyed ali these powers. But in exercising these powers, he had to go through the three organizations set up by the constitution: the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the courts. However, a point worth noting is that in most bourgeois parliaments, the Senate is often used to monitor and limit the activities of the House of Representatives. The National Assembly elected a Counci! of Ministers. "In administering the country, the Council of Ministers must discharge its duties in a way that is worthy of the confidence of the National Assembly" (Article 33). Another progressive point was that this constitution affirmed the principle of an independent judiciary: "The chief justice is free to try cases in accord with the law” (Article 41).
Shortly after the 1945 constitut'on was promulgated, the French imperialists returned and occupied Laos once again. “ven though the Lao army fought heroically, because they had greatly supericr military forces, the French colonialists occupied Savannakhet, Sepone, Thakhet, and other places. They seized Vientiane on 17 November 1946. They pretended to "restore independence to Laos" and set up a “constitutional National Assembly" having two French advisors, Misodel and Lobendo Anteio. It was not until 11 May 1947 that a "Constitution of the Kingdom of Laos" was adopted. Naturally, with such a "constitution," it was impossible to make any progress. This was a step back as compared witi: the 1945 constitution. The spirit and contents of this "constitution" were aimed at protecting the monarchy and consolidating the powers of the king. It forced the Lao people to be loyal to the monarcny and to the king. The king was the country's highest head of state. "is person was sacred and inviolable (Article 8). The king had the right to appoint his successor (Article 9). The king was the supreme military commander and had the right tc declare war (Article 14). He had the right to promulgate laws, and in Special situations, the king's edicts had the force of iaw (‘Article 13). The king had the right to convene the National Assembly. In “emergencies or ties of war," he had the right to exten’ the term of the National Assembly or appoint new deputies t ceplace those whose terms of office had expired. If he felt it necessary, he could increase the number of deputies by one-third (Article 25). He even had the right to dissolve the National Assembly (Article 33). Along with the National Assembly, there was a Royal Council, which was similar to the Senate in a bourgeois parliament. The Royal Council was composed of 12 members. Six of the members were appointed by the king directly. The other six were appointed by the National Assembly subject to the king's approval (Article 37). The king had the right to appoint the ministers, who had to be approved by the National Assembly, and he presided over meetings of the government (Article 17). In emergencies, the king could form a government without having to obtain the approval of the National Assembly (Article 29). Naturally, even though these stipulations were neither progressive nor democratic, they were just words on paper. When the French, and later the American, imperialists gained control of Laos, the king lost power. It was the imperialists who wielded real power.
If. The Formation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Need for a New Constitution
Manifest'ng their forefathers’ tradition of heroic and resolute struggle, the Lao people rose up against the French colonialists who had returned and reoccupied their country. They waged a resistance against the French from 1945 until 1954. After that, they resisted the American imperialists, who replaced the French colonialists and who waged a cruel war of aggression in Laos. After 30 years of hard fighting, in 1975 Laos was completely liberated. The Lao people were the masters of their country.
On 1 December 1975, the National Congress of Delegates neld a solemn meeting in Vientiane. On 2 December 1975, the congress unanimously passed an historical resolution to eliminate the out-moded monarchy, establish a people's democratic republic, set up a Supreme People's Council, elect a government, decide on a national flag and national anthem, and use the name "Lao People's Democratic Republic" [LPDR] as the official name of the country. The congress also decided to formulate a constitution for the LPDR. It made the Supreme People's Council responsible for formulating the constitution and appointing a draft committee.
After the country was completely liberated and the national democratic revolution gained the victory, Laos entered the period of transition to socialism. In April 1982, the Third Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP] met and analyzed the country's special characteristics and, based on that, pointed out the socialist revolutionary line in Laos. It pointed out that the Lao people are advancing to socialism in conditions in which the country is in a foreword position and must constantly be prepared to cope with dangerous enemies who are plotting to expand and annex Laos. Thus, the Struggle to resolve the issue of whether socialism or capitalism will gain the victory is closely related to the problem of protecting national independence and sovereignty. Facing this situation, the congress pointed out tnat the Lao people have two strategic tasks: "to defend the country and build socialism. These two tasks are closely related to each other. However, the fundamental and decisive task is socialist construction. The congress also reminded people about the need to formulate a socialist constitution as soon as possible and promulgate basic laws for the Lao People's Democratic Republic. This constitution will serve as the legal base of the LPDR during the transition to socialism. It will systematize the LPRP's lines on building socialism and defending the fatherland and ensure that these lines influence every aspect of social life and become the standard for the daily behavior of state agencies, social organizations, and all the cadres and Lao people.
The formulation of a new constitution for the LPDR is important not only domestically but will also solidify and strengthen the LPDR's position in the international arena. It wili confirm the progress of the LPDR on the path to socialism.
In order to formulate a constitution for the LPDR, the draft committee, chaired by President Souphanouvong, has been consolidated. The committee has investigated all aspects of Lao society and is now preparing a draft of the constitution.
A constitution is not being formulated just in order to satisfy the requirement of strengthening socialist lawas put forth by the Third Congress of the LPRP. This is also in accord with the aspiration of all cadres and people in Laos, who want a socialist constitution to protect and strengthen the dictatorship of the proletariat and manifest the ownership rights of the Lao peoples with the aim of building socialism and defending the fatherland.
There are basic favorable conditions for formulating a constitution for the LPDR. First, there are the illuminating resolutions of the LPRP. In particular, the resolution of the Third Congress pointed out the socialist revolutionary line in Laos’ new stage. The resolutions of the plenums of the Party Central Committee have concretized that line to form specific policies and positions on the domestic and foreign affairs of Laos during the inital Stage of the transition to socialism. These resolutions form the primary basis for formulating the constitution. Another favorable condition is that those formulating the constitution can rely on the rich experiences in building socialism and defending the fatherland during the past 10 years. These experiences will help enable them to draft a good constitution that is in accord with the realities in Laos. Besides this, there are also the experiencies of the fraternal socialist countries, particularly Vietnam and Cambodia, in formulating and implementing constitutions. Naturally, these experiences must be studied and used selectively in accord with the situation and circumstances in Laos and Lao society.
Today, formulating a constitution for the LPDR is being carried on actively. This work will certainly be completed ina very satsifactory manner. The LPDR's new constitution will manifest the will power and legitimate aspirations of the Lao people under the leadership of the LPRP in building socialism and defending the fatherland. It will systematize correctly the LPRP's socialist revolutionary line in accord with the special characteristics and realities of Laos, which has entered the transitional period and is advancing to socialism.
11943 CSO: 4209/34
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JPRS-SEA-86-200 12 November 1986
LAOS
BRIEFS
PHOUN SIPASEUT RECEIVES JAPANESE DELEGATION--Vientiane, Oct 18 (KPL)--Phoun Sipaseut, vice-chairman of the Council of Ministers, minister for foreign affairs, received here on Oct. 17 Yoshio Sakurauchi, member of Parliament, and head of a Japanese delegation for promoting Japanese-Lao friendship on a current visit here. The two sides highly valued the long-standing relations of friendship and cooperation between the governments and peoples of Laos and Japan, and exchanged views on the development of the Lao PDR in the past 10 years, the situation in Southeast Asia and other issues of mutual interest. This morning, the Japanese delegation also called on Sali Vongkhamsao, vice- chairman of the Council of Ministers and chairman of the State Planning Com- mittee. The Japanese delegation left here today following a three-day visit to the Lao PDR. [Text] [Vientiane KPL in English 0902 GMT 18 Oct 86 BK] /6662
DPRK'S KIM IL-SONG SENDS MESSAGE--On Sunday [19 October], Comrade Kaysone Phomvihan, general secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and chaii. in of the LPDR Council of Ministers, and Comrade Souphanouvong, president of the LPDRK and chairman of the SPC, received a thank-you message from Comrade Kim Il-song, general secretary of the KWP Central Committee and president of the DPRK, The message reeds: I would like to express my profound thanks to you, comrades, for extending your congratulations and best wishes to me on the 38th DPRK national day on behalf of the LPRP Central Committee, the SPC, the LPDR Government, the Lao people, and in your own names and for highly appraising the successes scored by our people in fulfilling the revolutionary and na- tional construction tasks, I would like to take this opportunity to express my firm conviction that the relations of friendship and fraternal cooperation between the peoples of our two countries will be further developed and strengthened in the future, [Text] [Vientiane Domestic Service in Lao 0500 GMT 20 Oct 86 BK] /9274
JAPANESE DELEGATION VISITS SALI VONGKHAMSAO--On Saturday [18 October], the delegation for promoting Japanese-Lao friendship led by Yoshio Sakurauchi, member of the Japanese Diet, paid a courtesy call on Sali Vongkhamsao, vice chairman of the Council of Ministers and chairman of the State Planning Com- mittee, in Vientiane capital. During its visit to Laos from 16-18 October, the Japanese delegation held talks with the Lao delegation headed by Khamphai Boupha, first deputy minister of foreign affairs, The delegation also visited several economic bases, including some Lao-Japanese cooperation projects, and some historical sites, The Japanese delegation left for home on Saturday afternoon, [Text] [Vientiane Domestic Service in Lao 0500 GMT 20 Oct 86 BK] 1/9274
CSO: 4206/16 Ll
THATLAND
PAPER SAYS U.S.-USSR SHOULD END EXPULSION ‘GAME’ BK230125 Bangkok BANGKOK POST in English 23 Oct 86 p 4 {Editorial: "Time To End the Tit-for-Tat Game"]
[Text] As former British prime minister Harold Wilson might have said, a
month is a long time in superpower politics. A few weeks ago it seemed that the United States and the Soviet Union were poised to enter a more constructive period of bilateral relations. The two countries had resolved the period of bilateral relations. The two countries had resolved the problems created by the arrests of Nicholas Daniloff and Gennadiy Zakharov and there was every hope that a limited arms control agreement would emerge from the "pre-summit" meeting at Reykjavik between President Reagan and Mr Gorbachev.
Then everything fell apart. The Iceland talks became overly ambitious and collapsed when neither side would give way on the issue of "Star Wars." Both leaders returned home disappointed, blaming each other for failing to achieve an “historic agreement" to eliminate intercontinental ballistic missiles.
This week U.S.-Soviet relations took a new turn for the worse. Moscow
expelled five U.S. diplomats and Washington retaliated on Tuesday by ordering out 55 Soviet diplomats. While Mr Gorbachev will not want to prolong the
chain of tit-for-tat expulsions, which begza with the U.S. kicking out 25 Soviet United Nations delegates, he is almost certain to order some form of retalia- tion.
Mr Gorbachev was expected to make a televised statement on the expulsions late last night and we can only hope that he will not over-react to the American move. One of the superpowers must draw a Line on this affair if both sides are to create an atmosphere conducive to successful talks on reducing their nuclear arms stockpiles. A minimal response by Moscow would also underline its stated commitment to pursue an arms control agreement on the basis of the Reykjavik meeting.
The Soviets will not easily forgive Mr Reagan for expelling 55 of their offi- cials. But they should bear in mind that they still have the same number of diplomats--251--in Washington and San Francisco as the Americans have in Moscow and Leningrad. If Moscow kicks out more Americans, Washington might further reduce its limit on the Soviets’ diplomatic representation and expel even more Russians.
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Mr Reagan recently told reporters at the White House that “nations don't mis- trust each other because they are armed; they're armed because they mistrust each other." If this mistrust is to be reduced, both superpowers should be content with the propaganda points they scored in the expulsions contest
and now devote their energies to negotiating a genuine accord on disarmament.
/6662 CSO: 4200/66
13
JPRS-SEA-86-200 12 November 1986
THAILAND
U.S. ADMIRAL CITED ON WAR RESERVE AGREEMENT
BK200815 Bangkok BANGKOK WORLD in English 20 Oct 86 pp 1, 32
[Text] Thailand and the United States has [as published] recently achieved
a very significant agreement in the war reserve stockpile that will serve as
a warning to any hostile countries that the United States is committed to help defend Thailand in case the country's security is threatened.
This was revealed by Admiral Ronald J. Hays, commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Command during an interview via satellite hook-up arranged by the United States Information Service.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Thai Foreign Minister ACM {Air Chief Marshal] Sitthi Sawetsila and U.S. Defence Secretary Casper Wein- berger during his recent visit to Washington, Admiral Hays said.
He said that the final agreement achieved between ACM Sitthi and Weinberger was the prepositioning of the war reserve stocks in Thaitand.
"So all systems are going at this present time. The agreement has been ar- rived at and the general approach for the introduction of these weapons has been agreed upon and we're off and running in that regard."
Admiral Hays said that this was a very important step because it has got to convey to those who would do harm to Thailand that this represents a comnit- ment and a commitment that will have the tendency to dissuade and deter anyone from taking offensive action against Thailand.
Asked wkst is the major obstacle that delayed the war reserve stockpile project, the U.S. Pacific commander in chief said that it was the final agreement on the language of the treaty, but that the disagreement has now been worked out at this time.
"We are, at the present time, embarking upon the activities that will com- mence the introduction of the weapons which are to be stored there.
"As you are perhaps aware that we have an agreement for each country to invest a certain amount on a fixed schedule and we intend to honour that agreement,” he said.
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When asked whether the U.S. will use the war stocks in Thailand to support
its activities outside Thailand, Admiral Hays said that the prepositioning
of such employment by the United States would be made only with full consulta- tion and awareness of the Thai Government before they occurred.
Asked on the financial arrangement between the two countries over the main- tenance of the stockpile, Admiral Hays said that he could not get too deeply into the technical aspects of the agreement.
However, he said that in general terms the stockpile would be an equitable sharing of the cost of the project which will serve the interest of both count< tes.
/6662 CSO: 4200/66
15
JPRS-SEA-86 -200 12 November !986
THAILAND
DEFENSE MINISTER APPROVES BELL HELICOPTER DEAL BK210155 Bangkok THE NATION in English 21 Oct 84 p 1
[Text] Defence Minister ACM [Air Chief Marshal] Phaniang Kantarat said yester- day he will ask the Cabinet today to approve the proposal of the Royal Thai Nafy (RTN) to buy five Bell 214ST helicopters direct from their American manu- facturer.
Phaniang said he had already endorsed the US$33 million deal, putting an end to months of controversy.
The minister said he was convinced by an explanation from the RTN that a di- rect purchase of the helicopters would be less expensive than a deal through the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) programme. He also said that he agreed with the RTN's reasoning on the necessity in getting this particular type of heli- copters.
Phaniang's endorsement of the proposed deal contradicted his earlier stand that the helicopters should be bought under the FMS programme which governs the sales of American military hardware to Thailand.
Speaking to reporters while touring the headquarters of the RTN yesterday, Phaniang said he had insisted on the FMS deal because in the long run it would be more beneficial financially and that the supply of spare parts would be ensured.
He also pleaded with the press to stop reporting on the controversy saying that it might affect the Thai-U.S. relations in the wake of a report that the U.S. Congress was going to reduce the level [of] U.S. aid to Thailand.
Phaniang said he would try to ask the Cabinet to approve the proposed helicopter deal during its weekly meeting today. However, if he could not it in time today, he would do it next Tuesday, he said.
The RTN wants to use the credits given to Thailand under the FMS programme
to finance the purchase of the Bell helicopters. The practice ts an exception to the agreement between Thailand and the U.S. that the Thal military should buy its hardware from the U.S. through the FMS programme.
/6662 CSO: 4200/66
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JPRS- SEA-36-200 12 November 1986
THAILAND
FOREIGN MINISTRY ON SRV BORDER VIOLATIONS BK1809U06 Bangkok Domestic Service in Thai 1300 GMT 17 Oct 86
[Text] Today the Foreign Ministry issued a statement summing up violations of Thai sovereignty by Vietnamese forces during 16 September-6 October.
On 6 October Vietnamese solo‘ers fired 12 105 mm artillery shells at Khao Saraphi, Aranyaprathet District, Prachin Buri