Lao people praise the Party Manichanh Pansivongsay Lao people are quite satisfied with the leadership of the Lao People¹s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and its strategies for national development after liberating of country. People of all ethnic minorities have confidence in the Party because of its excellent record in improving living standards and social and economic developments in both urban and rural areas. Former teacher, Thongdy Monetha, 71, said that ³the LPRP has brought much needed developments to the people in towns and remote areas.² Mr Thongdy had been a teacher since 1949 and remembers much that has happened in the past. He stressed that in the era of Prime Minister Phuy Sananikhon (1953-54), the life of teachers was very difficult because they had no time to rest. They had to teach students during the day and were soldiers in the Prime Minister¹s military at night. In addition, teachers received next to no benefits and waited about 6-7 months for their salaries. At that time, government development strategies were only directed toward the city so villagers in remote areas didn¹t have the opportunity to receive benefits. They had to face many difficulties such as poor infrastructure, lack of education, low public health and low living standards. Poor people didn¹t have a chance to study. Only children of rich families could gain positions of influence. ³Peoples lives were very hard, especially northerners because of the inaccessible terrain and lack of infrastructure or communication with lowland people,² said Mr Thongdy. Development policies under the old regime were hopeless because the country did not benefit from the leadership of the party. After liberation, the LPRP brought many facilities to people throughout the country, which made many people happy and contributed greatly to country¹s development. The party has generated education, public heath networks and constructed infrastructure of lasting value from the city to the countryside. Mr Thongdy stressed that ³the Party made people over the moon.² He added that he is very proud because every area of Laos is developed and the northern people have gained a new life. They have received a lot of assistance from the Party. Nowadays, under the Party leadership the country has expanded rapidly and the quality of life of the people has improved. Everybody has the chance to learn and everything from agriculture to domestic production and construction is supported by the LPRP. The party does everything for the people. Presently, agricultural development is expanding and farmers can run plantations in both the dry and rainy seasons. Government sponsored developments such as irrigation systems, natural fertilisers and new technologies have allowed this to happen. Commercial production is also increasing in quality and capacity. Many Lao products go to overseas markets. At moment, progress is appearing in every area of development from commercial production to road construction, to modern hospitals and standard schools. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
