Suchergebnisse

Problems of economic development, chiefly.

ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE EVENTS AND POLICIES FOLLOWED BY THE LAO PATRIOTIC FROMT (NLHS) YHAT ENABLED IT TO GAIN POWER. THROUGH THE DEFT USE OF COALITION GOVERNMENTS & OPEN HOSTILTIY, THE NLHS WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN SECURE BASES AND GRADUALLY EXPAND COMMUNIST POLITICAL & MILITARY CONTROL. THE NLHS USED ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE COALITION GOVERNMENT TO BROADEN ITS MASS SUPPORT.

Laos is at a critical state in its development: A poor country with annual GDP of less that $300 per capita, the nation remains a Communist state, but has taken "baby steps" towards democracy and the West in the last twenty years. The United States along with other Western nations should take a greater interest in Laos because small amounts of aid and encouragement-judiciously administered to avoid corruption--at this moment in the nation's history could substantially help the citizens of Laos. Expanded trade opportunities might convince Laotian leaders to continue economic liberalization policies begun in the 1990s. Greater contact with the West could help neutralize the People's Republic of China's power in the country. This could limit environmental damage from Chinese concerns (such as logging companies) as well as help spread democratic principles.