LCDC Chairman Mr Soubanh Srithirath ( right ) and Mr Brian Nichols shake hands after the signing ceremony.
The Lao and United States governments have signed the Laos-US cooperation project for the control of drugs in Laos, at a cost of US$400,000 for 2012.
The US government has supported the Laos-US project since the year 2000, and this year continues its support for the detoxification process and the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Deputy Assistant Secretary at the US State Department's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Mr Brian A. Nichols, pledged to continue cooperation in the fight against illegal drugs and boost support for Lao drug law enforcement during a visit to Vientiane on June 7-9.
Mr Nichols also called on Deputy Justice Minister Mr Ket Kiettisack and, in the presence of Supreme Public Prosecutor Mr Khamsame Souvong, he and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Representative Mr Leik Boonwaat announced a new US$150,000 training programme for Lao prosecutors.
Mr Boonwaat said the project should help Lao prosecutors to develop specialised skills in penalising criminal activities such as narcotics and human trafficking, money laundering, and cybernet crime, making them even more effective in achieving convictions for criminals throughout the countr
Mr Nichols said the mission of the State Department's INL Bureau, both in Laos and across the globe, has expanded to focus on the full range of law enforcement and justice sector assistance activities.
This grant fits into that broader mission, and represents the US government's commitment to partnering with the Lao government in new ways while still maintaining its efforts to combat illegal drugs.
On June 7, he met with the Deputy Director General of the Customs Department, Mr Bounpaseuth Sikounlabouth, to review the progress of a US$100,000 project begun in 2011 to assist Lao customs officials in contraband seizure, investigation, risk management, and other essential operations.
Mr Nichols also held talks with the Vice Chairman of the Lao National Commission on Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) Mr Kou Chansina, LCDC Permanent Secretary Mr Ounseng Vixay, and Director General of the Drug Control Department Police Col Khamphon Sihapanya.
Mr Nichols congratulated Col Khamphon and Mr Ounseng on the recent capture of the notorious drug trafficker Norkham, and complimented Mr Kou on the LCDC's long and successful effort to reduce the cultivation of opium poppies and, via treatment, the number of opium addicts.
Also noted at the meeting was the US-funded construction in Phongsaly province of four wet-crossing bridges to make an important road passable all year round and help farmers in a former opium-poppy growing area to earn a living legally. The bridges should be finished in July.
