Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VIENTIANE406
2009-08-20 10:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vientiane
Cable title:  

SENATOR JIM WEBB'S VISIT TO LAOS

Tags:  BM ECON ETRD EXIM LA PGOV PHUM PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
INFO LOG-00 EEB-00 AF-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 
 CTME-00 INL-00 DOTE-00 PERC-00 DS-00 EXIM-01 OIGO-00 
 E-00 FAAE-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 
 LAB-01 L-00 MOFM-00 MOF-00 VCIE-00 NSAE-00 OES-00 
 OIC-00 OMB-00 NIMA-00 PA-00 PM-00 GIWI-00 MA-00 
 FMPC-00 IRM-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 NCTC-00 BBG-00 SCRS-00 
 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 FA-00 
 SWCI-00 SEEE-00 /002W

 
O 201058Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2751
INFO ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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
-------

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