o 45 can read and write (1985 est.)
Labor force:
1-1.5 million; 85-90% in agriculture (est.)
Organized labor:
Lao Federation of Trade Unions is subordinate to the Communist party

:Laos Government

Long-form name:
Lao People's Democratic Republic
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, Sekong, Vientiane, Vientiane*, Xaignabouri,
Xiangkhoang
Independence:
19 July 1949 (from France)
Constitution:
promulgated August 1991
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
National Day (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic), 2
December (1975)
Executive branch:
president, chairman and two vice chairmen of the Council of Ministers,
Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
Supreme People's Assembly
Judicial branch:
People's Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President KAYSONE PHOMVIHAN (since 15 August 1991)
Head of Government:
Chairman of the Council of Ministers Gen. KHAMTAI SIPHANDON (since 15 August
1991)
Political parties and leaders:
Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), KAYSONE PHOMVIHAN, party chairman;
includes Lao Patriotic Front and Alliance Committee of Patriotic Neutralist
Forces; other parties moribund
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
Supreme People's Assembly:
last held on 26 March 1989 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote
by party NA; seats - (79 total) number of seats by party NA
Other political or pressure groups:
non-Communist political groups moribund; most leaders have fled the country
Member of:
ACCT (associate), AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO,
IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation:
Charge d'Affaires LINTHONG PHETSAVAN; Chancery at 2222 S Street NW,
Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-6416 or 6417
US:
Charge d'Affaires Charles B. SALMON, Jr.; Embassy at Rue Bartholonie,
Vientiane (mailing address is B. P. 114, Vientiane, or AMEMB, Box V, APO AP
96546); t