All posts tagged: United States

Welcome back to Laos, Secretary John Kerry

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Secretary John Kerry has landed in Laos for a few days. Thanks to the dedicated advocacy efforts of Legacies of War, led by Channapha Khamvongsa, the momentum around the UXO issue in Laos is in a media frenzy. If you’ve been following the U.S. Embassy Vientiane’s Facebook page, Secretary John Kerry has returned to Laos in efforts to improve U.S.-Laos diplomatic relations on the clean-up efforts as well as other development issues. This is ahead of the ASEAN Summit in California next month and the Obama Administration’s pivot to the region towards the end of 2016. What does the ASEAN Summit have in store for a Laos in transition, politically and socially, this year? Read up and chime in below. — From Department of State: Remarks With Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong Before Their Meeting Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Government House Vientiane, Laos January 25, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. I’m very happy to be back. I have been a here a number of times through the years and we appreciate very …

10 Things President Obama Should Do in Laos

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Well, this is a first for a United States president. Earlier this week, President Obama announced that he’ll visit Laos by end of 2016. Just in time for the ASEAN economic summit that Laos is hosting as current chair and member.  After White House National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes visited Laos to learn about the UXO issue and after the memorable visit by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton– it was only time before POTUS himself would make an appearance. As the pivot towards economically-booming Southeast Asia continues and on the heels of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, this will no doubt seal President Obama’s legacy before his term ends. We could be biased but while we know that Laos is quite arguably the coolest place to be in Southeast Asia, a lot can change in the course of one year before the POTUS visits. We know he’s a busy man, so we conjured up some to-do’s for his staffers to use. Here’s a fun list of “10 Things President Obama Should Do in Laos”. Take a stroll along …