Laos in 1982: The Third Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party

Abstract

THE DOMESTIC and foreign affairs of Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) in 1982 were dominated by convening of Third National Congress of Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) from April 27-30. On domestic front, Third Congress mapped out a series of pragmatic, gradual steps in transitional period of building socialism embodied in Laos' First Five Year Plan. New economic policies, originally adopted by Central Committee in late 1979, known as Resolution 7, were reaffirmed. On external front, Laos restated its commitment to maintaining special solidarity with Vietnam and Kampuchea, [and] our solidarity and all-round co-operation with great Soviet Union and socialist countries. Although Third Congress condemned Chinese expansionism, U.S. imperialism, and other reactionaries, it was also suggested that relations with United States and Thailand could improve. China's reactionary ruling clique remained, however, the direct enemy of Lao people.