CIA Factbook The World Factbook 1994: LaosGovernment Names: • conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic • conventional short form: Laos • local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao • local short form: none Digraph: LA Type: Communist state Capital: Vientiane Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamsai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louang Namtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Saravan, Savannakhet, Xekong, Vientiane, Viangchan*, Xaignabouri, Xiangkhoang Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic) Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: • chief of state: President NOUHAK PHOUMSAVAN (since 25 November 1992) • head of government: Prime Minister Gen. KHAMTAI SIPHANDON (since 15 August 1991) • cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president, approved by the Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Third National Assembly: elections last held on 20 December 1992 (next to be held NA); results —percent of vote by party NA; seats—(85 total) number of seats by party NA Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president; includes Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC); other parties moribund Other political or pressure groups: non-Communist political groups moribund; most leaders fled the country in 1975 Member of: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: • chief of mission: Ambassador HIEM PHOMMACHANH • chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 • telephone: (202) 332-6416 or 6417 • FAX: (202) 332-4923 US diplomatic representation: • chief of mission: Ambassador Victor TOMSETH • embassy: Rue Bartholonie, Vientiane • mailing address: B. P. 114, Vientiane, or American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546 • telephone: [851] 2220, 2357, or 3570, 16-9581 • FAX: [851] 4675 Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band