| Country name: |
conventional long form:
Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form:
Laos
local long form:
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form:
none
|
| Government type: |
Communist state
|
| Administrative divisions: |
16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
|
| Independence: |
19 July 1949 (from France)
|
| National holiday: |
Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
|
| Constitution: |
promulgated 14 August 1991
|
| Legal system: |
based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice
|
| Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal
|
| Executive branch: |
chief of state:
President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since NA March 2001)
head of government:
Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since NA March 2001); Deputy Prime Ministers THONGLOUN Sisolit (since NA March 2001), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly
elections:
president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term
election results:
KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%
|
| Legislative branch: |
unicameral National Assembly (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - by presidential decree, on 27 October 1997, the number of seats increased from 85 to 99)
elections:
last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 99
|
| Judicial branch: |
People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)
|
| Political parties and leaders: |
Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed
|
| Political pressure groups and leaders: |
noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
|
| International organization participation: |
ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
|
| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador VANG Rattanavong
chancery:
2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 332-6416
FAX:
[1] (202) 332-4923
|
| Diplomatic representation from the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Karen Brevard STEWART
embassy:
19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane
mailing address:
American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546
telephone:
[856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585
FAX:
[856] (21) 212584
|
| Flag description: |
three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
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