Embassy Highlights
|
Official Turnover of U.S. Donated Medical Clinic and Medical Equipment In Sekong Province | U.S. Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Ravic R. Huso and Sekong Province Lieutenant Governor Lieng Khamphoune, center, cut a ribbon to handover the medical clinic and medical supplies in Sekong Province. |
On Tuesday, June 3, U.S. Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Ravic R. Huso, traveled to Sekong Province to turn over to provincial medical authorities a new medical clinic built in Lamam District. Construction of this medical clinic was funded by the United States Pacific Command as a humanitarian donation from the government and people of the United States for the people of Lamam District. The construction budget for the Lamam District Medical Clinic was U.S. $186,768.00. At the same time, Ambassador Huso donated medical supplies and equipment worth more than U.S. $19,000 to provincial officials for use in the new clinic. Sekong Province Lieutenant Governor Lieng Khamphoune accepted the Lamam District medical clinic and medical supplies on behalf of the Sekong Provincial Government. The United States Pacific Command is also funding the construction of another clinic in Dukchung District, also in Sekong Province, which will be completed later this year. Completion of these two clinics brings the total amount spent on 19 humanitarian projects funded by the United States Pacific Command during the past ten years to more than two million U.S. dollars. These projects have been undertaken in Houaphan, Saravan, Savannakhet, and Sekong Provinces as well as in Vientiane Capital. These humanitarian projects demonstrate the commitment by the United States to continued cooperation with the Government of Laos in mutual humanitarian assistance projects in the Lao PDR. [more]
US Embassy Plants a Tree for Arbor Day | CLO Janya Somers standing next to the tree representing the United States outside of the new National Stadium at km 16 on Route 13 South. |
Acting DCM and Mrs. Somers joined Lao Government officials, other diplomats, and representatives of international organizations in celebrating International Arbor Day – June 1 – at the new National Stadium. After remarks by Vientiane Mayor H.E. Dr. Sinlavong Khoutphaythoun, attendees went to plant trees representing different countries, organizations, and Lao Government entities. Also attending were Vice Prime Minster Somsavat Lengsavath as well as Vice Foreign Minister Phongsavath Boupha. In his remarks, Mayor Sinlavong noted forest coverage of Vientiane Capital now stands at 42% of the municipal area; the municipal government’s goal is to increase forest coverage above 50% by 2020. Similar tree planting events were held throughout Vientiane on Arbor Day.
|
Latest Headlines From the
Embassy |
American Business Mission Visits Vientiane | | From left: Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce Khemmani Pholsena; Minister of Planning and Investment Soulivong Daravong; Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly, Ambassador Huso, and Paul Acito of the American Chamber of Commerce, Thailand. |  | | Ambassador Huso addresses guests at a reception in honor of the business mission. |
Representatives of twenty-four American companies visited Vientiane on May 6-8 to explore opportunities for investing and doing business in the Lao PDR. The business mission was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, the American Chambers of Commerce in Southeast Asia, and the U.S. Commercial Service and was co-hosted by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce. Among the companies participating were 3M, General Electric, Citibank, and Motorola. A number of senior Lao government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly and Minister for Planning and Investment Soulivong Daravong, briefed the mission's members on business opportunities in the Lao PDR. Ambassador Huso told the delegation that this is a promising time to be doing business in Laos, given the country's growing economy and increasing engagement with the region and the rest of the world. Members of the mission visited several Vientiane-based businesses, including Lao Ford City, which sells a range of Ford vehicles. Following the conclusion of the formal program, delegation members had an opportunity to discuss business opportunities with Lao government officials and business representatives at a reception at Ambassador Huso's residence.
Battery Dance Company Electrifies Laos Audiences | Dancers recreate the antics of high school students in the piece “I’ll Take You There” |  | | The Company performs “Shell Games,” their newest piece |
New York City’s Battery Dance Company thrilled audiences in Vientiane on April 22 with a public performance before an audience of over 900 at the National Cultural Hall and two master classes for 70 local dancers. This modern dance company selected four pieces from its repertoire to showcase a wide range of American dance. At the end of their performance, local dancers from the Lao Bang Fai group rushed the stage to perform a piece they learned during the earlier master classes. Battery Dance Company performances are characterized by eclectic and highly original choreography and music inspired by worldwide sources, reflecting the multiplicity of cultures that make up American society. Jonathan Hollander, founder and resident choreographer, works in his own contemporary vein built on a traditional base, creating compelling works executed by world-class performers. The Battery Dance Company’s success demonstrates that dance can build bridges between languages and cultures. For over a decade, Battery Dance Company has represented the U.S. overseas and has developed international cultural exchange programs in the realm of dance and the performing arts. Their tour of Asia included performances in Korea, China, Mongolia, Burma, Taiwan, and Laos. The performances in Laos were jointly sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and the Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs.
“Crossroads Café” Series returns to the Faculty of Engineering  | Students at the Faculty of Engineering watching the video of the English language program “Crossroads Café.” |
After the Lao New Year on April 25, 2008, the U.S. Embassy’s Information Resource Center and Faculty of Engineering’s Library organized a video showing for another installment of the English language teaching series “Crossroads Café.” In these episodes, “Fish out of Water” and “Family Matters,” the series showed how parents in the U.S take care of their children at home and at school, and how the family decides to budget their money for school fees, food, electricity, and other necessities.
Over 70 students from various departments around the campus watched this installment of the program. This ongoing project helps Lao students who are learning English at the beginning and intermediate levels by developing their vocabulary and listening comprehension skills.
The Information Resource Center will host showings of “Crossroads Café” on a regular basis at the both the Faculty of Engineering and at the Lao American Center.
State Department Official Visits UXO Programs in Laos | | A UXO Lao official demonstrates the use of various detectors. To take advantage of improving technology, the U.S. has donated 50 of the most-up-to-date detectors for use in Laos. |  | | UXO Lao advisor John Dingley (left) and Deputy Assistant Secretary Ganyard inspect UXO that has been prepared for detonation. |
Deputy Assistant Secretary Stephen Ganyard of the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs visited Laos on April 25-29 to observe U.S.-funded clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO). The United States is the largest donor in this sector. In Vientiane, he received briefings from a number of Lao government officials and foreign donor organizations. In Xieng Khouang, one of the most heavily affected provinces, he visited a metal foundry that will be cleared of explosives by MAG, a non-governmental-organization, with U.S. funding. Accompanied by officials from UXO Lao, the Lao government’s clearance organization, he visited a village where clearance was underway. The village chief told Mr. Ganyard how pleased he was that he and his neighbors would soon be able to farm their fields safely.
| |
|
