Laos Cambodia

Although Cambodia had a rich and powerful past under the Hindu state of Funan and the Kingdom of Angkor, by the mid-19th century the country was on the verge of dissolution. After repeated requests for French assistance, a protectorate was established in 1863. By 1884, Cambodia was a virtual colony; soon after it was made part of the Indochina Union with Annam, Tonkin, Cochin-China, and Laos. France continued to control the country even after the start of World War II through its Vichy government. In 1945, the Japanese dissolved the colonial administration, and King Norodom Sihanouk declared an independent, anti-colonial government under Prime Minister Son Ngoc Thanh in March 1945. The Allies deposed this government in October. In January 1953, Sihanouk named his father as regent and went into self-imposed exile, refusing to return until Cambodia gained genuine independence. ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Australia is a destination country for women from Southeast Asia, South Korea, and the People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.) who are trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Some of these women travel to Australia voluntarily to work in both legal and illegal brothels but are deceived or coerced into debt bondage or sexual servitude. The Government of Australia fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The Commonwealth’s Action Plan to Eradicate Trafficking in Persons provided substantial financial and personnel resources to combat the problem both domestically and internationally. Over the last year, the government further refined its anti-trafficking program. In 2004, the government made significant and greater efforts to combat trafficking, including develop ... [Read More]

Repatriation of War-Era Remains

Remains believed to be associated with three cases involving unaccounted-for Americans recovered in Laos were formally transferred to the United States at a repatriation ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, 2003, at Wattai International Airport in Vientiane, Laos. U.S. Ambassador to Laos Douglas A. Hartwick represented the United States at the ceremony, and His Excellency Mr. Phongsavath Boupha, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented the Lao People's Democratic Republic. ... [Read More]

Countries and Other Areas

Bureau of East Asian and Pacific AffairsCountries and Other Areas [Read More]

Country Program: Laos

With an effective ban on opium production in Afghanistan in 2001, Laos was the world’s second largest producer of illicit opium, generally grown in remote, mountainous areas largely populated by ethnic minority groups which have traditionally resisted the imposition of central authority. Cultivation was down 5% in 2001, although production was steady at 210 metric tons. Laos also serves as a transit route for Burmese drugs going to China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and beyond and is increasingly coming under siege by drug traffickers. Seizures of opium and heroin increased markedly from 2000; however, methamphetamines seizures – a growing problem in Laos – were down in 2001. ... [Read More]

Background Notes: Cambodia

Country Background Notes, 1990-93Background Notes, 1990Background Notes: CambodiaPA/PCSource: Office of Public Communication, Bureau of Public AffairsDate: Dec 15, 199012/15/90Category: Country DataRegion: Southeast AsiaCountry: CambodiaSubject: Cultural Exchange, Resource Management, Military Affairs, History, International Organizations, Trade/Economics, Regional/Civil Unrest[TEXT]Official Name: CambodiaPROFILEGeographyArea: 181,040 sq. km. (69,900 sq. mi.); about the size of Missouri.Cities: Capital-Phnom Penh (pop. 4 ... [Read More]

US Dept of State

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Public Remarks

Another "tool" to promote change in Laos is you, the Lao- Americancommunity. I believe that those of you who came from Laos can and should be ableto play a role in Laos' development. I often speak with Lao officials about theimportance of overseas Lao, particularly the half a million ethnic Lao,Hmong, Khmu, Yao and others living in the US, who could be helping Laos with theirknowledge, skills and capital if they were encouraged. The Lao governmentresponds that it has an open door policy toward the overseas Lao, that they arewelcome. But that is not enough. Much more can be done on both sides to buildthese human links. As Ambassador, I want to encourage more Lao-Americans in 2003to return and see first-hand how Laos is changing, and if possible, tocontribute to that change. Working with the Lao-American communities around theU.S. and with the cooperation of Lao government, I would like to see more doneto facilitate safe, secure and enjoyable visits to Laos by Americans. We nee ... [Read More]