Laos 1991: On the Defensive

Abstract

In 1991, two political events of particular significance took place in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR): 15 years after the formation of the LPDR a new constitution was finally promulgated; and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) held its Fifth Party Congress. The first laid the legal foundation, the second the political basis for defence of the one party state in Laos, a defence for which the LPRP has sought support through a significant shift in international patronage. In response to the crumbling of Communism in the Soviet Union, the Party ten aciously maintained its monopoly of power, while continuing to adopt a flexible approach to the economy. Contacts with capitalist states, particularly with Thailand, continued to be cultivated, but for political support the LPDR turned increasingly to China. By these means an appearance of decisive forward-looking government was maintained, even though uncertainties remained ? most notably in areas of leadership, where the succession and role of the army remained crucial, and minority and regional affairs, where the Party's attempts to re-centralize political decision making seem likely to run into opposition.