THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRACY UNITY PROSPERITY
THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

NUMBER 862/OPM

DIRECTIVE

TO: ALL MINISTERS, CHAIRPERSONS OF ALL ORGANIZATIONS EQUIVALENT TO THE MINISTERS, ALL GOVERNORS, GOVERNOR OF MUNICIPALITY AND CHIEFS OF SPECIAL ZONES THROUGH OUT THE COUNTRY.

SUBJECT: THE INCORPORATION AND COOPERATION OF THE LAO OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN SEARCH OF THE CRASH SITES OF THE US AIRCRAFT OR GRAVE SITES OF US SERVICE MEN LOST IN THE WAR.

IT IS THE HONOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER TO INFORM YOU THAT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE HUMANITARIAN POLICIES OF OUR PARTY-GOVERNMENT, BEGINNING IN 1983, OUR GOVERNMENT TOGETHER WITH THE US HAVE COOPERATED IN THE SEARCH OF MIA IN LAOS. BECAUSE WE HAVE RECEIVED GOOD COOPERATION FROM ALL SECTORS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES AS WELL AS ALL ETHNIC MINORITIES WHICH HAVE ACHIEVED FRUITFUL RESULTS.

FROM THAT INVOLVEMENT AND COOPERATION WHICH HAS CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE FOR BETTER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES THAT IS CONFORMED WITH THE POLICIES OF OUR PARTY-GOVERNMENT. THEREFORE, THIS COOPERATION IN SEARCH FOR MIA WILL CONTINUE UNTIL IT IS ALL ACCOUNTED FOR.

IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE, THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER ISSUE THIS DIRECTIVE TO ALL AUTHORITY SECTORS AND ITS CITIZEN AS FOLLOW:

1. IF ANY ONE WITNESS THE CRASH, GRAVE SITES OF AMERICAN AND ITEMS RELATED TO PLANE CRASH OR AMERICAN REMAINS LEFT FROM WARTIME PERIOD. HE/SHE SHOULD REPORT TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

2. TO INFORM AND EDUCATE THE OFFICIALS. MILITARY, POLICE AND ALL ETHNIC MINORITIES TO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE HUMANITARIAN REASON WHICH CONFORMS WITH THE POLICIES OF THE PARTY-GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A REPORT ABOUT THE SIGHTING. AND EXPRESSING THE LAO PEOPLE'S GENEROSITY AND CARING TOWARD THE AMERICANS WHO STILL WAITING FOR THE NEWS OF THEIR SONS, HUSBANDS AND RELATIVES. LET'S BE ASSURE THAT THE INFORMATION OBTAINED IS NOT A MERCHANDISE FOR SELL/BUY BUT IT IS EVERY BODY'S PARTICIPATION THAT WILL IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAOS AND US. IN A SHORT AND A LONG TERM. IT ACTUALLY BENEFIT BOTH COUNTRIES.

3. THE GOVERNMENT AND MUNICIPALITY AUTHORITIES SHOULD ORGANIZE TO DISSEMINATE THIS DIRECTIVE DOWN TO THE VILLAGES, FAMILIES AND EVERY PERSON TO THOROUGHLY UNDERSTAND THESE POLICIES WITH NO EXCEPT ION OF THE ORGANIZATIONS OF THE PARTY-GOVERNMENT DOWN TO EVERY LEVELS OF MILITIA TO ORGANIZE DISSEMINATION OF THIS DIRECTIVE.

4. THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO BE CENTER POINT OF CONTACT. IF ANY SECTOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHO IS INTERESTED IN MORE DETAIL CAN CONTACT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DIRECTLY.

THEREFORE, THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER ISSUED THIS DIRECTIVE AND CARRY OUT.

VIENTIANE, 30 JUNE 1995
MINISTER
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
KHAMXAY SOUPHAOUVONG