A SECRET CAMPAIGN FOR POWER

A secret source of information from Vientiane said Mr. Somsawat Lengsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affair, and his team plan to launch an earlier secret campaign for the seats of President and Prime Minister for the incoming term.

The campaign plan is to draw voters or supporters earlier from several areas such as:

1. The 59 Politburo Members,

2. The National Assembly Members,

3. The Ministerial Members,

4. The ethnic Council Committee Members,

5. The Provincial Members, Local District Members, and Local Villagers.

1. The campaign is focusing on the active incumbents and seeks for new candidates to replace the non-active members.

2. The priority proposed plan for the incoming election and/or for the new administration's policy would be:

1. To replace civilian for the ministers who are military leaders,

2. To reform military and police personnel for better service and training,

3. To heighten the pride and to make peace and mutual understanding among ethnic minorities,

4. To solve the party's political struggle quickly,

5. To solve the problem of fighting of the resistant through a way of compromise with peace,

6. To improve economic development and free business enterprise,

7. To improve international relation and building trust, especially with neighboring countries for future peace and economic development,

8. To solve the emergency related problems, such as the Kip currency.

One of the members of the group said "to make Laos moves forward quickly along with the world without cane, we must change our policy and 'know how' to solve the problems peacefully. We must change the war fighting camp into the economic development camp, build mutual understanding among ethnic groups, bring peace and compromise to the resistant, build trust and make a good relationship with international communities, and open policy for Laotian citizens to have a freedom of speech, freedom of the press, or freedom of communication, etc., so the voices of the Laotian citizens will he heard. For instance, Vientiane Time is the only one voice and communication that can reach worldwide more quickly. We must open more space, more freedom for reaching out the world. Whoever opposes this freedom is consider as one of Laos' enemy who tries to close her door. We must uphold this policy seriously. Free election is not necessary if the country's policy or the law of the land give its citizens the freedom to express themselves fully and participate for national solidarity union, peace, and prosperity."

"Among other things, we lack of human resources. In the new world of high technology, Laos needs more intellectual persons. Regarding to this matter our new policy must open the door for, especially Laotian intellectuals and businessmen overseas to come back to Laos for helping to rebuild the country they love. Throwing away the deadlock policy that make Laos faces a dead-end."

"To ignore the problems and deny the reality. Laos will go nowhere but collapse; therefore, our policy can change and make a big difference for Laos. We are serious about this matter."