Posted on 03/28/2010 5:22:12 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
» 03/26/2010 16:49
LAOS - UNITED STATES
Washington looks to Laos to contain China’s expansion
The small Asian nation central to the interests of the two superpowers. The United States intends to strengthen development programs in environmental, humanitarian, commercial and military sectors. Chinese dams on the Mekong threaten the ecosystem of the entire South-East Asia.
Vientiane (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The United States intends to strengthen cooperation with Laos to balance the expansion of China in South-East Asia. After decades of suspicions and misunderstandings a hangover from the war in Vietnam, Washington has started a bilateral program of economic development that will mark four key areas: environmental protection in the Mekong River and the strengthening of trade; targeted programs in the humanitarian field, including the reclamation of land were there are still millions of unexploded bombs, collaboration between the two armies, with targeted training that includes the teaching of English.
The government in Vientiane has shown an attitude of "cautious opening" to the American proposals. A necessary decision, according to a lengthy analysis published by Asia Times, "to counter the growing Chinese influence in the country”. Some Laotians welcome the ties between the small country and the Asian giant, which guarantees a greater movement of goods and capital. However the concrete threat of “Chinese domination" is increasing, exacerbated by the invasion of workers which “threaten Laotian national sovereignty”. Add to this is the impact of Chinese dams on the source of the Mekong River, which result in serious environmental consequences for the local climate and ecosystem.
(Excerpt) Read more at asianews.it ...
P!
Greater movement of goods...legal goods or other?
has the White House released the official photo of Hopey/Changey bowing to the Laotian Prime Minister yet?
When rumors circulated that as part of the deal 50,000 Chinese would move into the Chinese-built industrial zone in Vientiane, government ministers were forced to call a news conference — a rare event for the Communist hierarchy. Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, who is ethnically Chinese, explained details of the plan: the China Development Bank would finance the main sports complex in exchange for 1,600 hectares of land on the outskirts of Vientiane, which a Chinese company would convert into what was called the “New City Development Project.” The government said it would lease the land for 50 years to Chinese developers with a possibility of an extension.
But the announcement only served to kindle opposition to the plan.
Farmers who lived on the land and wealthy residents who lived nearby commonly derided the project as “Chinese City,” a term with a pejorative ring in a country where Chinese businesses have mushroomed in recent years.
In August 2008 the government backed down and said the Chinese government would only receive 200 hectares, a small fraction of the original deal.
More than a year later the government refuses to divulge how it is compensating the Chinese government, which according to Laotian state media paid the full cost of the stadium complex.
Ping
Thai Ping
Washington = Obammie the Commie
Hey, Obammie.
That’s what the Viet Nam war was all about. It’s a little late now, doncha think? Idiot.
What’s a Queen Naga?
Great. We embrace Laoa and dump on Israel. Good choices. Laos as a bulwark against China? LOL. What about Taiwan?
The photo is real, but all of the Thai caption is a hoax. This photo sells like hot cakes in the NE of Thailand. It's even displayed in the homes of Lao people here in the US.
My Thai ex #2, a school teacher in her home country, got very upset with me for investigating and proving the hoax.
Wow, what a great idea. Much better than building an additional 200 F-22s, or a couple of boomers, or continuing the ABL program, or modernizing our nuclear weapons.
It is a great idea if your goal, like that of the US Resident, is to destroy America.
Never stepped foot in Laos but I’ve ridden the road along the river upstream from Vientiane. My wife was born in Nong Khai.
Most unusual thing I saw was about 500 Hmong refugees crawling up off the banks of the Mekong river early one morning. They put their rifles in a pile and were marched off about 10 miles to some government impound area. Circa 1979-80. Joan Baez showed up there right about that time.
One of my former Peace Corps buddies writes the Lonely Planet travel books about Thailand and Laos. Joe Cummings.
In 1999 I went to Nong Khai. I had last left country in 69.
I was drinking Singha out on the white sandy river edge with Laos within sling shot range. I commented to another Farang that 30 years earlier if we'd been in that location we'd have been taking incoming.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.