SENATOR JIM WEBB'S VISIT TO LAOS

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000406 E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2019 TAGS: BM ECON ETRD EXIM LA PGOV PHUM PREL SUBJECT: SENATOR JIM WEBB'S VISIT TO LAOS Classified By: Classified by Charge d'Affairs a.i. Peter M. Haymond for Reasons 1.5(b) and (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) GOL interlocutors warmly welcomed Senator Jim Webb,s August 12-14 visit to Vientiane. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith discussed GOL views of Burma and asked that the U.S.-Lao comprehensive bilateral dialogue be raised to a higher level. Senator Webb also heard encouraging words from the Lao officials about increased engagement with the U.S. on mil-mil cooperation -- including UXO clearance, POW/MIA accounting, and increased training; as well as on trade and investment -- including Laos' WTO accession bid, implementation of the U.S.-Lao BTA, and the Lower Mekong Initiative. At his well attended press conference, Senator Webb stressed USG interest in Southeast Asia and desire to engage with all the countries in the region. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Senator Jim Webb traveled to Laos August 12 ) 14, 2009, to demonstrate continued USG interest in the region and in Laos. He met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulit, Industry and Commerce Vice Minister Khemmani Pholsena, Ministry of National Defense Permanent Secretary Brigadier General Sisophonh Bangonesengdet, and Chairman of the National Assembly Law Committee Keyoun Nhotsayviboun. The Senator also received a briefing from the Mekong River Commission, conducted a business roundtable with American and Lao businesspeople, and held a press conference. MFA: Concern, but treading lightly on Burma -------------- ¶3. (C) When Senator Webb mentioned his upcoming visit to Burma, Deputy PM Thongloun Sisoulith advised that he had discussed the situation in Burma with fellow regional Foreign Ministers, the UN Secretary General, and UN Special Envoy Gambari. DPM Thongloun described the situation in Burma as very fragile, saying that actions regarding Burma must be taken very carefully. Noting international concern over Burma, he allowed that he also was concerned. He told the Senator that Laos closely follows developments in Burma and worries about the effect on Laos were something to happen in Burma. DPM Thongloun underscored the difficulty of managing 130 ethnic groups in Burma, many of them armed and seeking autonomy, and expressed hope Burma would complete its roadmap to democracy and hold elections in 2010. ¶4. (C) Senator Webb noted he had supported for some time talks with the Burmese regime, but that the current situation made it more difficult for the U.S. to change policy. Senator Webb remained hopeful for stability in the country, though he was aware of the challenge posed by the different ethnic groups. He said if the world believes the 2010 elections were fair, Burma could be on its way to rejoining the world community. MFA: Praise for cooperation,request to raise dialogue level -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) DPM Thongloun applauded improved U.S.-Lao relations and praised the USG,s renewed focus on Southeast Asia. He reported that he had discussed with Secretary Clinton in Phuket ways to further enhance relations. He pointed to the 2008 exchange of Defense Attaches and cooperation in drug control, UXO clearance, and the search for MIA soldiers as solid achievements. In that context, DPM Thongloun stressed Laos' need for increased UXO clearance resources. He also made a point of reiterating GOL interest in raising the level of the U.S.-Lao comprehensive bilateral dialogue (CBD). (Note: During a meeting in New York earlier this year, post understands DPM Thongloun told former EAP A/S Chris Hill that the GOL would like to raise the CBD from DAS to A/S on the U.S. side. End note.) ¶6. (U) Senator Webb recounted his work since 1991 to improve relations between the U.S. and Southeast Asia, and the discussions he had with the Secretary and President on this topic while they were still U.S. Senators. He called U.S. support for the work on UXO clearance a humanitarian obligation to help innocent victims of past conflict. MND: Appreciate U.S. Engagement -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Calling Laos important for the U.S. future role in Southeast Asia, Senator Webb opened the meeting with Brigadier General Sisophonh Bangonesendet, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Defense by underscoring positive cooperation on the POW/MIA mission and by acknowledging the long-term benefits of training and exchanges between the two countries' militaries. He also stressed again the humanitarian obligation to assist Laos in clearing unexploded ordinance. Senator Webb hoped the lessons learned from building a very positive bilateral relationship with Vietnam could be used to also more rapidly broaden U.S. relations with Laos. ¶8. (SBU) BG Sisophonh thanked the U.S. for training the Lao military in the English language, for contributing money to fight drug use and trafficking, and for providing humanitarian assistance. He called the exchange of Defense Attaches in 2008 a sign of increased good relations and called for further strengthening cooperation. MoIC: Seek U.S. Assistance, Understanding on WTO Accession -------------- -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Vice Minister Khemmani Pholsena, the GOL's point person for WTO accession, welcomed the removal of Laos from the U.S. Ex-IM Bank "blacklist" of countries and indicated the GOL wants to work with the USG on the next steps to make Ex-Im financing available to U.S. companies trading with Laos. The GOL was grateful for USG assistance to help Laos accede to the WTO, she said, noting that Laos is the only ASEAN country not already a WTO member. Vice Minister Khemmani also asked for USG understanding as Laos works to fully implement the bilateral trade agreement, as some BTA commitments will be very difficult to carry through in a WTO context. Senator Webb noted the dramatic changes he had seen in Vietnam,s economy over the past two decades, and expressed his hope that the Lao economy would follow a similar path. National Assembly -------------- ¶10. (SBU) National Assembly Law Committee Chairman Keyoun Nhotsayviboun also expressed appreciation for the removal of Laos from the Ex-Im Bank blacklist and for U.S. assistance to the GOL in writing, translating, and implementing new laws. Becoming a member of the WTO is particularly important for Laos, he said. Chairman Keyoun called UXO removal in part a poverty reduction program because UXO impedes development of many Lao regions, and he thanked the U.S. for its assistance in this area. He also urged Senator Webb to promote U.S. investment opportunities in Laos. Senator Webb noted the U.S. obligation to help with UXO removal and hoped the assistance that the U.S. provided to the Vietnamese legal system could be replicated in Laos. Mekong River Commission and Business Roundtable -------------- -- ¶11. (SBU) At a roundtable session, Senator Webb heard from a group of American and Lao businesspeople who have learned to navigate the shoals of the Lao business environment. The businesspeople discussed the difficulties of customs clearance for incoming and outgoing merchandise, the sometimes recalcitrant Lao bureaucracy, and the uneven abilities of the Lao workforce. Some underscored the limited availability of investment opportunities because of the small population base and narrow Lao economy. Senator Webb described many of the complaints as similar to those he heard in Vietnam fifteen years ago. He reasoned that Laos could similarly accelerate economic growth if an improved legal framework were put into place. ¶12. (U) The Mekong River Commission (MRC) briefed the Senator on its structure and activities, especially its work on coordinating and information sharing on food security, energy, and livelihoods in the Mekong River area. The Commission also told the Senator about its recent signing of a letter of intent (LOI) with the Mississippi River Commission and its eagerness to participate in implementation of the Lower Mekong Initiative. Media Coverage -------------- ¶13. (U) Senator Webb held a press conference on August 13, at which 16 reporters from Lao-language and English-language press and television attended. He emphasized the renewed engagement of the USG in the Southeast Asian region and the importance of ASEAN as a regional organization. Local media covered Senator Webb's visit extensively throughout his visit, and the press conference was featured in three Lao-language papers and the main English language paper. Comment -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Senator Webb was warmly received at every Vientiane event, with Lao government officials expressing particular appreciation for his visit and stressing their desire to have further enhance relations with the U.S. and open up to the world economy. Lao interlocutors fully took on board the message of renewed interest in the region that Senator Webb brought with him and expressed a desire for increased cooperation with the U.S. HAYMOND