Anonymous wrote:

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If my Old Lao Passport is eligible to claim as Lao Expatriates?? Please let me know. From Atlanta, US.

 

It is the policy of the Lao government to welcome back native Lao who left their motherland during the Indochina War more than 30 years ago, Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh has said.

Speaking at a meeting in Vientiane on Thursday with representatives of Lao expatriates, Mr Bouasone said the government had formed a committee to help those who wished to return and live in the country of their birth.

“I have received a report from the committee that it is developing details of the policy. The government is giving its full consideration to the policy,” he told Lao expatriates from countries such as the United States France, Germany , Australia , Belgium , Canada and Japan .

The government invited representatives of Lao expatriates to attend the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane from December 9 to 18.

The event is considered to be a historical milestone, with Laos hosting the regional sporting event 50 years after joining the SEA Games Federation.

The government hopes the visiting expatriates can see for themselves how Laos has developed in recent decades.

Mr Bouasone said the government looked forward to the future instead of getting stuck in past history, which it could not change.

“A long time ago, Laos and its people were invaded. The great Lane Xang Kingdom was ruined and divided up in the form in which it exists today,” he said.

“The Indochina War, which ended in 1975, divided the Lao people. Many left Laos for other countries. This occurred in the past and is something that no one can change.”

“But the Lao government does not consider that history sets the standard for the future. We have become forward looking. Lao people wherever they are must join their hearts and minds to develop the country,” he said.

M r Bouasone urged Lao expatriates who had adopted the nationality of other countries to become good citizens of those countries. He urged them to study technology and use their knowledge to develop Laos , while teaching the younger generation about Lao culture so they could come back to Laos .

He said Lao expatriates could contact Lao embassies in foreign countries to obtain information about Laos .

The government is drawing up a Prime Minister's decree on honorary citizenship, as many people believe this status would enable expatriates to return to Laos . People who hold honorary citizenship would have the same residency rights as Lao citizens but have no political rights. The Lao National Assembly recently approved a new Investment Law, which grants land use rights to foreigners, including Lao expatriates, who invest a large amount of money in Laos .

The policy aims to encourage foreigners to invest in Laos , to promote economic growth and create job and income opportunities.

Many Lao expatriates say they would like to return to Laos because they feel nowhere can be a better home. They continue to enjoy Lao food, dance and music. However, many of them are afraid of what took place in the past.

 

 

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
(Latest Update December 21 , 2009)

 

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 I just wonder if the Lao government allows dual citizenship because a lot of people specially the retirees , they don't want to lose  such as their pensions and social security
benefit .

Viang Jan (21 Dec 2009) - Laos is working on new legislation that would grant "honorary citizenship" to Lao expatriates who decide to return to live in the communist country, state media said Monday. Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh explained the new legislation over the weekend to Lao expatriates from the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Canada and Japan who were invited to attend the 25th South-East Asian Games hosted by Vientiane from December 9 to 18, the Vientiane Times reported.

 

An estimated 300,000 Lao fled their homeland after December 1975 when the country became communist.

 

Bouasone told the expatriates that it was the policy of the Lao government "to welcome back native Lao who left their motherland during the Indochina War more than 30 years ago," the daily newspaper reported.

 

He urged Lao expatriates who had adopted foreign nationalities to be good citizens of those countries and to study technologies that they could use to develop Laos.

 

The Vientiane Times, a government mouthpiece, said the Lao government was drawing up a prime minister's decree on honorary citizenship to enable expatriates to return to Laos.

 

"People who hold honorary citizenship would have the same residency rights as Lao citizens but have no political rights," the Vientiane Times said.

 

The Lao National Assembly in July approved an Investment Law, which grants foreigners and Lao expatriates the right to own land in Laos if they invest a large amount of money into the country.

 

Many of those who fled Laos after the war were supporters of the former royalist regime or the US military's efforts to defeat the communist forces in its "Secret War" in Laos.

did you see Sahi Bouason is good person.........He start begining really freedom..
Happy new year 2010 Sahi Bouason....
 did you see Loa loves Laotiane...
 good idea good policy.....
I support with you..

Lakone deur.

No need to wait for the retire, as soon as my kid turn 18. I will be living in Laos.