MINE AWARENESS DAY: LAO UXO NATIONAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY OFFICIALLY OPENS

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000326

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM/WRA and EAP/MLS (JWEYER)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, KHDP, LA

SUBJ: MINE AWARENESS DAY: LAO UXO NATIONAL REGULATORY
AUTHORITY OFFICIALLY OPENS

1. (U) Summary: On April 4 the GOL commemorated
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine
Action by holding an official opening of the National
Regulatory Agency (NRA). The event was hosted at NRA
headquarters by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the
NRA Axang Laoly, and included remarks by UNDP Resrep Finn
Reske Nielsen, UNICEF Country Representative Olivia Yambi,
and NRA Director Maligna Saignavongs. Laoly thanked the
various donors to the UXO sector over the years, including
the United States. Post released a statement in support of
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine
Action, congratulating the NRA, and noting USG assistance to
the sector. The statement was printed in an English
language daily newspaper, and USG support was noted in Lao
language newspaper articles about the event. End Summary.

NRA Grand Opening
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2. (U) The GOL hosted donors, UXO operators and NGOs for the
NRA opening ceremony at NRA headquarters on April 4.
Following remarks, UNDP Resrep and Deputy Minister of Labor
and Social Welfare and Vice Chairman of the NRA Laoly
Faiphengyoua signed a document officially establishing the
NRA as the independent regulatory body with overall
responsibility for UXO Clearance in Laos. The NRA will
implement the long-term strategic plan for UXO clearance,
provide policy direction, license clearance operators and
give quality assurance for all clearance activities. The
event served also to commemorate the first International Day
for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

Post Press Release
--------------

3. (U) In conjunction with the April 4 events, Post issued
a press release to congratulate the NRA and to highlight the
USG's assistance to the Lao UXO sector, which read:

The United States joins in observing April 4th as the
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine
Action, and the U.S. Embassy, Vientiane congratulates the
National Regulatory Agency (NRA) on its official opening.
"We look forward to working closely with the NRA," remarked
U.S. Ambassador Patricia Haslach. "An effective,
independent NRA is crucial to continuing the progress in
reducing and removing the UXO problem in Laos." The U.S.
has contributed well over $25 million to UXO removal, public
awareness and victims' assistance programs in Laos since
1998, including $3.5 million in 2005. The U.S. Humanitarian
Mine Action Program supports mine action worldwide through
bilateral and multilateral assistance and through more than
50 public-private partnerships with non-governmental
organizations and civic groups. As the world leader in
helping to reduce the impact of persistent landmines and
unexploded ordnance left from past conflicts, the United
States is honored to participate in commemorative activities
to help publicize this important issue.

4. (SBU) The press release was printed in its entirety in
KPL News, a daily English language newspaper, and the USG's
assistance to the sector was noted in Lao language newspaper
articles about the NRA event. This is a welcome change from
a recent lack of recognition of the USG's large role in
funding UXO activities in Laos, including articles that
mentioned, among donors to the sector, India's assistance in
English language training for UXO personnel, but pointedly
did not mention the USG, historically one of the largest
donors. Post will continue to monitor press coverage to
ensure that the recognition was not an isolated instance.

HASLACH