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Foreign Minister denies Vietnam, China cliques

The Laotian Foreign Minister, Somsavat Lengsavad, has firmly denied the existence of any pro-China or pro-Vietnam clique within the one-party Lao Government, while noting that trade and investment ties with China are larger than those with Vietnam. In an exclusive interview yesterday, Mr Lengsavad, who has Chinese ancestry, described his country's relationships with both Vietnam and China as traditional, and based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.

"There has never been any rift or division among the Lao leaders," he said through an interpreter. "In 45 years there has never been any opposition group or faction within the [Lao Peoples' Revolutionary] Party." The Foreign Minister, who is also one of three deputy prime ministers of Laos, was particularly incensed by an article carried in the Far Eastern Economic Review in July, which alleged that a recent series of bomb explosions around Vientiane could be attributed to a pro-China faction inside the Government which was seeking to discredit the regime's long-standing closeness to Vietnam.

That article described splits within the Government as focused on competition not only between Chinese and Vietnamese blocs, but also between younger and older Lao leaders, and between those from the north and from the south of the landlocked country. Some independent analysts agree, while others describe the ruling clique as so small and united that any talk of intra-party strife is ridiculous. As a younger, northern-born minister, Mr Lengsavad, 55, has been labelled by outsiders as a potential leader of a "new wave" within the Government, but he strenuously rejected this theory. Independent analysts have suggested that if Laos wishes to open up to the international market economy, it would be most likely to gain greater benefit from the more thrusting economy of China than Vietnam, a view not contradicted by Mr Lengsavad.

"As far as the close relationship between Laos and Vietnam [is concerned], certainly we must get back to historical facts," he said. "Once upon a time Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia were united under so-called French Indochina rule - that's why the three countries fought tooth and nail to retain their respective national independence . . . these three fought side by side, and because of this we have forged a special solidarity. "During the struggle of the people, China extended great help and assistance to the people in their fight for independence. That is why we are grateful for the assistance of both China and Vietnam . . . It is unwise and unreasonable just to give more weight perhaps to the relationship with Vietnam and less weight to China."

Chinese President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Laos in November, which fed speculation about Laos shifting to closer ties with its largest neighbour. But, far from Laos being swallowed up, Mr Lengsavad believes Laos holds the trump card of geography. "As a matter of fact, China intends to develop its western provinces which border on Laos, they wish to get through to Thailand. Certainly that must be through Laos," he said. While stressing the Lao people's need to learn from the experiences of both Vietnam and China in their efforts to open up their economies, Mr Lengsavad admitted China had more to offer - but only because of its size.

Communist brotherhood and historical gratitude aside, Laos actually receives more investment from and conducts more trade with Thailand than anywhere else. Mr Lengsavad says this makes sense. "Laos and Thailand are divided only by the Mekong [river]. We have similar language, similar culture, so many things in common, so it's easy to trade with each other. We can just go across by boat, or even swim, and don't need roads. On the part of Vietnam and China, we still need roads and in the mountainous areas this is not easy," he said. Thailand's media create troubles not experienced with China and Vietnam, however. Mr Lengsavad strongly rejected Thai reports that security at recent international meetings hosted by Laos was excessive.

The South China Morning Post - December 18, 2000.