UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in
Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993);
this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah
islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands disputed by
Saudi Arabia
______________________________________________________________________
KYRGYZSTAN
@Kyrgyzstan:Introduction
Background: A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and
proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it
achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current concerns
include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of
democracy and political freedoms, inter-ethnic relations, and
terrorism.
@Kyrgyzstan:Geography
Location: Central Asia, west of China
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:
total: 198,500 sq km
land: 191,300 sq km
water: 7,200 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 3,878 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870
km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in
southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins
encompass entire nation
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Kara-Darya 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources: abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold
and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas;
other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 44%
forests and woodland: 4%
other: 45% (1993 est.)
note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest
Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: water pollution; many people get their
water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result,
water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from
faulty irrigation practices
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: landlocked
@Kyrgyzstan:People
Population: 4,685,230 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36% (male 843,038; female 825,519)
15-64 years: 58% (male 1,337,268; female 1,393,397)
65 years and over: 6% (male 107,405; female 178,603) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.43% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 26.29 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 9.15 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 77.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.37 years
male: 59.06 years
female: 67.9 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.22 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)
adjective: Kyrgyzstani
Ethnic groups: Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian
2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8%
Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian - official
language
note: in March 1996, the Kyrgyzstani legislature amended the
constitution to make Russian an official language, along with Kirghiz,
in territories and work places where Russian-speaking citizens
predominate
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 96% (1989 est.)
@Kyrgyzstan:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: KG
Government type: republic
Capital: Bishkek
Administrative divisions: 6 oblastlar (singular - oblast) and 1 city*
(singular - shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek),
Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty,
Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their
administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name
following in parentheses)
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31
August (1991)
Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993
note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national
referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the
president at the expense of the legislature
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990)
head of government: Prime Minister Jumabek IBRAIMOV (since NA December
1998)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
elections last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held November or
December 2000); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Askar AKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote -
Askar AKAYEV 75%; note - elections were held early which gave the two
opposition candidates little time to campaign; AKAYEV may have
orchestrated the "deregistration" of two other candidates, one of whom
was a major rival
Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh
consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the
Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve five-year terms)
elections: Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 5 February
1995 (next to be held 20 February 2000); Legislative Assembly - last
held 5 February 1995 (next to be held 20 February 2000)
election results: Assembly of People's Representatives - percent of
vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - not all of the 70
seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result,
run-off elections were held at later dates; the assembly meets twice
yearly; Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - NA; note - not all of the 35 seats were filled at the 5
February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off elections were held at
later dates
note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995
elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed for 10-year terms
by the Supreme Council on recommendation of the president;
Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration
Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party ; Agrarian
Party of Kyrgyzstan ; Banner National Revival Party or
ASABA ; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan or PKK
; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or
DDK ; Dignity Party ;
Fatherland or Alta Mekel Party ; Justice Party
; Kyrgyzstan Erkin Party (Democratic Movement of
Free Kyrgyzstan) or ErK ; Movement for the
People's Salvation ; Mutual Help Movement or
Ashar ; National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNE
; Peasant Party ; Republican Popular
Party of Kyrgyzstan ; Social Democratic Party or
PSD
Political pressure groups and leaders: Council of Free Trade Unions;
Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights ; National Unity
Democratic Movement; Union of Entrepreneurs
International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE,
ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent),
ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, WTrO
(applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV
chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: (202) 338-5141
FAX: (202) 338-5139
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Anne M. SIGMUND
embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: (3312) 22-29-20, 22-27-77
FAX: (3312) 22-35-51
Flag description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40
rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the rays
run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the
sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized
representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt
@Kyrgyzstan:Economy
Economy - overview: Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country
with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and meat are
the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial exports include
gold, mercury, uranium, and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been one of
the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union in carrying
out market reforms. Following a successful stabilization program,
which lowered inflation from 88% in 1994 to 15% for 1997, attention is
turning toward stimulating growth. Much of the government's stock in
enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe since
the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995
production began to recover and exports began to increase. Pensioners,
unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears
continue to suffer. Foreign assistance played a substantial role in
the country's economic turnaround in 1996-97. The government has
adopted a series of measures to combat such severe problems as
excessive external debt, inflation, inadequate revenue collection, and
the spillover from Russia's economic disorders. Kyrgyzstan had
moderate growth in 1999 of 3.4% with a similar rate expected for 2000.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.3 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3.4% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,300 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 45%
industry: 20%
services: 35% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: 40% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 26.2% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 37% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 1.7 million
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 55%, industry
15%, services 30% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6% (1998 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $225 million
expenditures: $308 million, including capital expenditures of $11
million (1996 est.)
Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes,
sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth
metals
Industrial production growth rate: -3.4% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 12.206 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 10.78%
hydro: 89.22%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 11.102 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 1.1 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 850 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes,
fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Exports: $515 million (1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury,
uranium, hydropower; machinery; shoes
Exports - partners: Germany 37%, Kazakhstan 17%, Russia 16%,
Uzbekistan 8%, China 3% (1998)
Imports: $590 million (1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: oil and gas, machinery and equipment,
foodstuffs
Imports - partners: Russia 24%, Uzbekistan 14%, Kazakhstan 9%, Germany
6%, China 5% (1998)
Debt - external: $1.1 billion (1999 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $329.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Kyrgyzstani som (KGS) = 100 tyiyn
Exchange rates: soms (KGS) per US$1 - 46.235 (January 2000), 39.008
(1999), 20.838 (1998), 17.362 (1997), 12.810 (1996), 10.822 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Kyrgyzstan:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 357,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied
applications for household telephones
domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider,
probably limited to Bishkek region
international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or
microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections
with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite
earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected
internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14,
shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios: 520,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: NA (repeater stations throughout the
country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and
Turkey) (1997)
Televisions: 210,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Kyrgyzstan:Transportation
Railways:
total: 370 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial
lines
broad gauge: 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways:
total: 18,500 km
paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways)
unpaved: 1,646 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 600 km (1990)
Pipelines: natural gas 200 km
Ports and harbors: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Airports: 54 (1994 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 14
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 40
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 32 (1994 est.)
@Kyrgyzstan:Military
Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces
(internal and border troops)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,172,899 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 951,395 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 48,551 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $12 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY99)
@Kyrgyzstan:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on
southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area; periodic target of
Islamic terrorists from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy,
mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program;
increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia
and Western Europe from Southwest Asia
______________________________________________________________________
LAOS
@Laos:Introduction
Background: In 1975 the communist Pathet Lao took control of the
government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to
Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to
private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the
admission into ASEAN in 1997.
@Laos:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 236,800 sq km
land: 230,800 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries:
total: 5,083 km
border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km,
Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season
(December to April)
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 3%
forests and woodland: 54%
other: 40% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,250 sq km (1993 est.)
note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation -
750 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: floods, droughts, and blight
Environment - current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil
erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable
water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental
Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: landlocked
@Laos:People
Population: 5,497,459 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 1,191,608; female 1,173,144)
15-64 years: 54% (male 1,447,788; female 1,500,016)
65 years and over: 3% (male 85,028; female 99,875) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.5% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 38.29 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 13.35 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 94.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.09 years
male: 51.22 years
female: 55.02 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.21 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
adjective: Lao or Laotian
Ethnic groups: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao
Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%,
ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Religions: Buddhist 60% (in October 1999, the regime proposed a
constitutional amendment making Buddhism the state religion; the
National Assembly is expected to vote on the amendment sometime in
2000), animist and other 40%
Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic
languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57%
male: 70%
female: 44% (1999 est.)
@Laos:Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form: Laos
local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form: none
Data code: LA
Government type: Communist state
Capital: Vientiane
Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural),
1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special
zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai,
Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai,
Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli,
Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the
Lao People's Democratic Republic)
Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991
Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and
procedures, and Socialist practice
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998);
note - currently the position of vice president is vacant; Vice
President OUDOM Khattiya died on 9 December 1999 and a replacement has
not yet been named
head of government: Prime Minister SISAVAT Keobounphan (since 26
February 1998); Senior Deputy Prime Minister BOUN-NHANG Vorachith
(since 20 April 1996); Deputy Prime Ministers CHOUMMALI Saygnasone
(since 26 February 1998), SOMSAVAT Lengsavad (since 26 February 1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by
the National Assembly
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year
term; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002);
prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the
National Assembly for a five-year term
election results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of
National Assembly vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (99 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - by
presidential decree, on 27 October 1997, the number of seats increased
from 85 to 99)
elections: last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP
or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 99
Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court, the president of the People's
Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the
recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee, the vice
president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed
by the National Assembly Standing Committee
Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party or
LPRP ; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders: noncommunist political groups
proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CP,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
(observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador VANG Rattanavong
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: (202) 332-6416
FAX: (202) 332-4923
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Wendy Jean CHAMBERLIN
embassy: Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane
mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546
telephone: (21) 212581, 212582, 212585
FAX: (21) 212584
Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double
width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
@Laos:Economy
Economy - overview: The government of Laos - one of the few remaining
official communist states - began decentralizing control and
encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an
extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 7% in 1988-96.
Since mid-1996, however, reform efforts have slowed, and the economy
has suffered as a result. Because Laos depends heavily on its trade
with Thailand, it was further damaged by the regional financial crisis
beginning in 1997. From June 1997 to June 1999 the Lao kip lost 87%,
and reached a crisis point in September 1999 when it fluctuated
wildly, falling from 3,500 kip to the dollar to 9,000 kip to the
dollar in a matter of weeks. Now that the currency has stabilized,
however, the government seems content to let the current situation
persist, despite 140% inflation in 1999 and limited foreign exchange
reserves. A landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure, Laos
has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and
internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few
urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and
provides 80% of total employment. For the foreseeable future the
economy will continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other
international sources; Japan is currently the largest bilateral aid
donor; aid from the former USSR/Eastern Europe has been cut sharply.
As in many developing countries, deforestation and soil erosion will
hamper efforts to attain a high rate of GDP growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,300 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 51%
industry: 22%
services: 27% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: 46.1% (1993 est.)