MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Laos
Index
As of mid-1994, the most powerful military officer in
Laos was
Lieutenant General Choummali Saignason, concurrently
minister of
national defense and commander in chief of the LPA. In
addition to
his military position, he was also the seventh highest
ranking
member of the ruling LPRP Political Bureau (Politburo). He
took
over as chief of the LPA in 1991 when General Khamtai
Siphandon was
elevated to prime minister
(see The Lao People's Revolutionary Party
, ch. 4). As a ranking member of the Politburo,
Choummali is
responsible for formulating both government and military
policy. As
commander in chief, he has absolute power over all
internal and
external security matters. All state security personnel,
commanders
of the air and naval forces, and police officials report
to
Choummali.
Data as of July 1994
|
|