VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVN #0306/01 0900829
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310829Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9757
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 6449
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 2605
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 2054
RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 1727

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000306 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, INR/B 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR LA
SUBJECT: NEW CENTRAL COMMITTEE LINEUP 
 
REF: Vientiane 275 
 
Following is a list of the new 55-member Central 
Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party 
(LPRP) 8th Congress. Members are listed according to 
their current rank, with previous rank at the Seventh 
Party Congress in 2001 in parentheses or as "(new)." 
The first 11 members are also members of the Politburo. 
The listing of "previous positions" is not 
comprehensive. 
 
¶1. LTG Choummaly Sayasone (3) 
Present position: Lao State Vice President (since 
2001), Party Secretary General 
Previous position: 
-- Deputy Prime Minister 
-- Minister of National Defense 
-- Vice Minister of National Defense 
Age: 69 
Date of birth: June 3, 1936 
Place of birth: Attapeu Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶2. Mr. Samane Viyaket (2) 
Present position: President of the National Assembly 
(since 1992) 
Previous positions: 
-- Minister of Education 
-- Head of Party Central Committee Organization Board 
-- Vice Minister of Defense 
-- President of the National Election Committee for the National 
   Assembly Fourth Legislature 
Age: 79 
Date of birth: March 3, 1927 
Place of birth: Attapeu Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶3. Mr. Thongsing Thammavong (4) 
Current Position: Mayor of Vientiane Capital (since 
2002) 
Previous position: 
-- Chairman of Party Organization Committee 
-- Vice President of National Assembly 
-- Minister of Information and Culture 
Age: 61 
Date of birth: April 12, 1944 
Place of birth: Houaphan Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶4. Mr. Bounnhang Vorachit (6) 
Current position: Prime Minister (since 2001) 
Previous position: 
-- Minister of Finance 
-- Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for trade and 
   bilateral aid matters 
-- Vientiane Mayor 
-- Governor of Savannakhet province 
Age: 68 
Date of birth: August 15, 1937 
Place of birth: Savannakhet 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶5. Mr. Sisavath Keobounphanh (7) 
Current position: President of Lao Front for National 
Construction (since 2001) 
Previous position: 
-- Prime Minister 
-- Vice President of Lao PDR 
-- Minister of Agriculture and Forestry 
-- Mayor of Vientiane 
-- Minister of Interior 
-- Chief of Staff, Lao People's Army 
-- Governor of Houaphanh province 
Age: 77 
Date of birth: May 1, 1928 
Place of birth: Huay Kaleum Village, Sam Neua District, 
Houaphan Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶6. Mr. Asang Laoly (8) 
Current position: Deputy Prime Minister (Since 2002) 
Previous position: 
-- Minister of Interior 
-- Deputy Minister of Interior for Intelligence 
Age: 65 
Date of birth: February 02, 1941 
Place of birth: Phongsaly Province 
Ehnicity: Akha 
 
¶7. Mr. Bouasone Bouphavanh (11) 
Present positions: Deputy Prime Minister (since 2002) 
Previous position: 
-- Permanent Politburo and Head of the Party Central Committee 
   Office (Chief of the Secretariat of the LPRP) 
-- Co-Deputy Chief of Party Propaganda and Training Board and Chief 
   of Party Cabinet 
-- Vice Minister to Prime Minister's Office 
Age: 52 
Date of birth: 1954 
Place of birth: Saravane Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶8. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith (9) 
Present positions: Deputy Prime Minister (since 2001), 
Chairman of the Committee for Planning & Investment, 
National Assembly member 
Previous position: 
-- Member of National Assembly 4th Legislature, Member of Standing 
   Committee, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to the 
   National Assembly 
-- Minister of Labor and Social Welfare 
-- Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs 
Age: 60 
Date of birth: November 11, 1945 
Place of birth: Houaphan Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶9. MG Douangchay Phichit (10) 
Present position: Minister of National Defense 
Previous position: 
-- Chief of General Staff Department, Ministry of National Defense 
   (MND) 
-- Vice Minister, MND 
-- Deputy Chief of General Staff 
Age: 66 
Date of birth: April 5, 1944 
Place of birth: Attapeu 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶10. Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad (13) 
Present positions: Deputy Prime Minister (since 2002), 
Minister of Foreign Affairs (since 1993), President of 
the National Commission for Mothers and Children (since 
1993) 
Previous position: 
-- Chief, Cabinet of the Party Central Committee; Minister Attached 
   to the President's Office (Chief of Cabinet of the Council of 
   Ministers) 
-- Ambassador to Bulgaria 
-- Deputy-Chief of the Cabinet of the LPRP Central Committee and 
Council of Ministers 
-- Secretary to Lao People's Revolutionary Party Secretary Kaysone 
Phomvihane 
Age: 60 
Date of birth: June 15, 1945 
Place of birth: Luang Prabang 
Ethnicity: Ethnic Chinese 
 
¶11. Mrs. Pany Yathortou (21) 
Present positions: Vice President of the National 
Assembly (since 2001), Member of National Assembly 
Previous position: 
-- Member, 4th Legislature of National Assembly, Xieng Khouang 
   provincial electoral constituency 
-- Member, Standing Committee, 4th National Assembly 
-- Chairwoman of Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, 4th National 
   Assembly 
Age: 55 
Date of birth: February 18, 1951 
Place of birth: Xieng Khouang Province 
Ethnicity: Hmong 
 
¶12. Mr. Bounthong Chitmany (34) 
Present position: Head of the Party Central Committee 
Previous position: Governor of Oudomsai province 
Age: 57 
Date of birth: July 3, 1949 
Place of birth: Bokeo Province 
Ethnicity: Lamet 
 
¶13. Mr. Sombat Yialiher (42) 
Present position: Governor of Sayabouly Province (since 
1999) 
Previous position: 
-- Deputy Governor, Sayaboury Province, Head of 
   Provincial Organization Division 
Age: 50 
Date of birth: September 16, 1956 
Place of birth: Sayabouly 
Ethnicity: Hmong 
 
¶14. Mr. Thongbanh Seng-aphone (43) 
Present position: Minister of Public Security (since 
2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Governor, Borikhamxay Province 
-- Deputy Governor, Bolikhamsai province 
-- Managing Board of Steering Committee for Rural Development 
-- Governor of Sieng Hon-Hongsa Special Zone 
Age: 53 
Date of birth: May 2, 1953 
Place of birth: Bolikhamsay Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶15. Mr. Vongphet Saikeuyachongtoua (12) 
Present positions: President of the Party Inspection 
Authority (since 2001) 
Previous position: 
-- President, Party Central Committee Control Board 
-- Member, National Assembly Standing Committee 
-- Co-Vice President of National Assembly 
Age: 66 
Date of birth: September 15, 1939 
Place of birth: Xieng Khouang Province 
Ethnicity: Hmong 
 
¶16. Mr. Bounheuang Douangphachanh (14) 
Present position: Governor of Luang Prabang 
1998 - Mayor, Vientiane Municipality 
Previous position: 
-- Mayor, Vientiane Municipality 
-- Governor, Sayaboury Province 
-- Head of Education Department, Luang Prabang Province 
Age: 58 
Date of birth: May 15, 1945 
Place of birth: Luang Prabang 
Ethnicity: Lao Theung 
 
¶17. Mrs. Onechanh Thammavong (15) 
Present position: President of the Lao Women's Union 
(since 2001), member of the National Assembly 
Previous position: 
-- Member, 4th National Assembly, Savannakhet 
-- Co-Vice President of 4th National Assembly 
-- Member of Standing Committee, 4th National Assembly 
Age: 53 
Date of birth: May 13, 1953 
Place of birth: Xieng Khouang Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶18. Mr. Chansy Phosikham (17) 
Present position: Minister of Finance 
Previous position: 
-- Governor of Bank of Lao PDR 
-- Governor of Luang Prabang province 
Age: 58 
Date of birth: March 18, 1948 
Place of birth: Luang Prabang Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶19. Mr. Phimmasone Leuangkhamma (18) 
Present position: Governor of Luang Namtha province 
(since 2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Minister of Education 
-- Acting Minister of Education 
-- Vice Minister of Education 
Age: 63 
Date of birth: March 20, 1943 
Place of birth: Sone Tai, Viengthong District, Houaphan 
Province 
Ethnicity:  Thai Dam 
 
¶20. Mr. Khampane Philavong (19) 
Present position: Governor of Borikhamxay (since 2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Chief Public Prosecutor 
-- Mayor of Vientiane Municipality 
-- President of Lao Federation of Trade Unions 
-- Governor of Xieng Khouang province 
Age: 63 
Date of birth: October 10, 1943 
Place of birth: Xieng Khouang Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶21. Mr. Somphanh Phengkhammy (20) 
Present position: Provincial Party Secretary, Xieng 
Khouang province (since 2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Minister of Labor and Social Welfare 
-- Governor of Houaphan Province 
-- Deputy Governor, Houaphan Province 
Age: 58 
Date of birth: December 18, 1948 
Place of birth: Houaphan Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶22. Mr. Saysomphone Phomvihane (22) 
Present positions: Chairperson of Foreign Affairs 
Committee, National Assembly, Member of National 
Assembly 
Previous position: 
-- Minister to the Prime Minister's Office 
-- Minister of Finance 
-- Governor of Savannakhet Province 
-- Deputy Governor, Savannakhet Province, in charge of Commerce and 
   External Relations Division 
-- Is son of LPDR founder Kaysone Phomvihane 
Age: 52 
Date of birth: October 10, 1954 
Place of birth: Viengxay District, Houaphan Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao and Vietnamese 
 
¶23. Mr. Khammanh Sounvileuth (23) 
Present position: Governor of Bokeo province 
Previous position: 
-- Governor, Phongsaly Province 
-- Vice President, Party Central Committee Control 
   Board 
Age: 54 
Date of birth: April 12, 1952 
Place of birth: Khoua District, Phongsaly Province 
Ethnicity: Lao Theung 
 
¶24. Mr. Mounkeo Oraboun (26) 
Present position: Minister of Information and Culture 
(since 2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Head of Central Party Propaganda and Training 
   Committee 
-- Governor, Vientiane Province 
-- Minister of Information and Culture 
Age: 64 
Date of birth: May 04, 1942 
Place of birth: Vientiane Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶25. Mr. Somphet Thipmala (27) 
Present position: Governor of Vientiane province (since 
2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Governor, Xaysomboun Special Zone 
-- Chief of Logistics Department, MND ranked Brigadier 
   General 
Age: 66 
Date of birth: August 15, 1940 
Place of birth: Houaphan Province 
Ethnicity: Phuan 
 
¶26. Mr. Chaleun Yiapaoher (30) 
Present positions: Director of National Organization 
for the Study of Politics and Administration, member of 
National Assembly 
Previous position: 
-- Deputy Head, Party Propaganda and Training Committee 
-- Head of National Assembly Administrative Affairs 
   Office 
Age: 54 
Date of birth: September 15, 1951 
Place of birth: Ban Nongkham, Sieng Khor District, 
Houaphan Province 
Ethnicity: Hmong 
 
¶27. Mr. Soukanh Mahalath (31) 
Present position: Governor of Champassak province 
(since 2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Provincial Party Secretary, Xiengkhouang province 
-- Minister of Finance 
-- Governor of Bank of Lao PDR 
Age: 52 
Date of birth: June 7, 1954 
Place of birth: Keng Kok Village, Champhone District, 
Savannakhet Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶28. Mr. Soulivong Daravong (32) 
Present position: Minister of Commerce (since 2002) 
Previous position: 
-- Minister of Industry and Handicraft 
-- Acting Minister, Ministry of Industries and 
   Handicraft 
-- Vice Minister, Ministry of Industries and Handicraft 
Age: 57 
Date of birth: May 1, 1949 
Place of birth: Xieng Khouang Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶29. Mrs. Bounpheng Mounphosay (33) 
Present positions: Head of Public Administration and 
Civil Services Authority (since 2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Vice Minister of Education 
-- Governor, Xieng Khouang Province 
-- Member of National Assembly 
Age: 58 
Date of birth: September 1, 1948 
Place of birth: Horkang VillAge, Muang Kham District, 
Xieng Khouang Province 
Ethnicity: Phuan 
 
¶30. Mr. Phandouangchit Vongsa (37) 
Present position: Deputy Chairman of the Party 
Propaganda and Training Committee (since 2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Minister of Information and Culture 
-- President, National Organization for Studies of Policy and 
   Administration (NOSPA) 
-- Deputy Chief of the Party Propaganda and Training Committee 
Age: 59 
Date of birth: December 12, 1947 
Place of birth: Ban Sopsan, Xieng Kho District, 
Houaphan Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶31. Mr. Bounpone Bouttanavong (38) 
Present Position: Governor of Oudomxay province (since 
2002), Member of National Assembly 
Previous position: 
-- Secretary Executive Committee of the Lao Youth Union 
   (LYU) 
-- Deputy Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary 
   Youth Union 
-- President of the Lao-North Korea Friendship 
   Association 
Age: 50 
Date of birth: November 15, 1955 
Place of birth: Phongsaly Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶32. Mr. Khamboun Douangpanya (40) 
Present position: Governor of Xekong province (since 
2003) 
Previous position: 
-- Deputy Governor, Sekong Province 
Age: 56 
Date of birth: April 12, 1950 
Place of birth: Donchana Village, Lamam District, 
Sekong Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶33. Mr. Soubanh Srithirath (48) 
Present positions: Minister in the President's Office 
(since 1998), President, Lao National Commission for 
Drug Control and Supervision (Since 1990) 
Previous position: 
-- Deputy-Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Responsible for 
   International organizations Affairs, and Western and Developing 
   Countries, 
-- President of the Lao National Committee on the border 
   demarcation with Myanmar 
Age: 70 
Date of birth: September 9, 1936 
Place of birth: Muang Khong, Champassak Province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶34. BG Chanasamone Chanyalath (49) 
Present position: Member of Party Committee of Ministry 
of National Defense, Head of Political Committee for 
Kaysone Phomvihane Defense Academy 
Previous position: 
-- Direct-General of Political Department, member of 
   Party Committee of Ministry of National Defense 
Age: 60 
Date of birth: March 01, 1946 
Place of birth: Phongsaly province 
Ethnicity: Middle land Lao (Laotheung) 
 
¶35. Mr. Ponmek Dalaloy (51) 
Present position: Minister of Public Health (since 
1996) 
Previous position: 
-- Ambassador to Cuba 
-- Ambassador to China 
-- Vice Minister of Public Health 
Age: 68 
Date of birth: June 6, 1938 
Place of birth: Luang Prabang 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶36. Mr. Venethong Luangvilay (52) 
Present position: Minister to the Prime Minister's 
Office 
Previous positions: 
-- President of Lao Federation of Trade Unions 
-- Secretary of Lao Revolutionary Youth Union 
-- Deputy Chief of Party Central Control Committee 
Age: 60 
Date of birth: December 10, 1946 
Place of birth: Vang Vieng, Vientiane province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶37. Mr. Khampheuy Panmalaythong (new) 
Present position: Party Secretary, Chief of Cabinet of 
the Party Central Committee 
Previous position: 
-- Deputy Chief of Cabinet of the Party Central 
Committee 
Age: 48 
Date of birth: November 27, 1958 
Place of birth: Houaphan province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶38. Mr. Vilayvanh Phomkhe (new) 
Present position: Provincial Party Secretary, Governor 
of Savannakhet province (since 2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs 
-- Lao Ambassador to Vietnam 
-- Deputy Minister to Prime Minister's Office 
-- Head of the Party's Foreign Relations Committee 
Age: 64 
Date of birth: December 11, 1942 
Place of birth: Savannakhet province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶39. Dr. Phankham Viphavanh (new) 
Present position: Governor of Houaphanh province (since 
2005) 
Previous positions: 
-- Deputy Minister to Prime Minister's Office 
-- Lecturer at National University 
Age: 54 
Date of birth: April 4, 1951 
Place of birth: Houaphanh province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶40. Mr. Khamsane Souvong (new) 
Present position: Governor of Phongsaly province (since 2005) 
Previous position: 
-- Deputy Governor, Phongsaly province 
-- Chairman of Phongsaly Drug Control and Supervision 
Age: 53 
Date of birth: September 1, 1953 53 
Place of birth: Kieopok, Phongsaly district and province 
Ethnicity: Phounoy 
 
¶41. Dr. Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune (new) 
Present position: Assistant Party Secretary, Deputy 
Mayor of Vientiane Capital 
Previous position: 
-- Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister's Office 
Age: 53 
Date of birth: November 11, 1953 
Place of birth: Savannakhet province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶42. MG Sengnuan Sayalath (new) 
Present position: Assistant Party Secretary of the 
Ministry of Defense, Party Committee Secretary for 
General Political Department 
Previous position: unknown 
Age: 57 
Date of birth: September 01, 1949 
Place of birth: Savannakhet province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶43. Mr. Khamphanh Phommathat (new) 
Present position: Governor of Sekong province 
Previous positions: 
-- Deputy Dean of National Organization for the Study 
   of Politics and Administration 
Age: 51 
Date of birth: July 03, 1955 
Place of birth: Saravan 
Ethnicity: Middle land Lao (Lao Theung) 
 
¶44. Dr. Somkot Mangnomek (new) 
Present position: Vice Minister of Education, Rector of 
National University 
Previous positions: 
-- Dean of the Engineering and Architecture Faculty of 
Lao National University 
Age: 51 
Date of birth: December 11, 1955 
Place of birth: Siphom, Khoun district, Xieng Khouang 
province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶45. Mr. Sonesay Siphandone (new) 
Present position: Deputy Governor of Champassak 
province (since 2005) 
Previous positions: 
-- Chief of Cabinet of Champassak province 
-- Is son of former Party Secretary Khamtai 
Age: 40 
Date of birth: January 26, 1966 
Place of birth: Houaphanh 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶46. Dr. Nam Viyaket (new) 
Present position: Vice Minister of Industry and 
Handicrafts (since 2005) 
Previous positions: 
-- Deputy Chief of State Auditing Committee 
-- Is son of Politburo member Samane Viyaket 
Age: 48 
Date of birth: June 5, 1958 
Place of birth: Ban Mai, Attapeu province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶47. Mr. Tongyerthor (new) 
Present position: Vice President of National Front for 
Construction (since 1996), member of 5th National 
Assembly 
Previous position: 
-- Member of National Assembly 4th Legislature, representing 
   Houaphanh province 
-- President of the Houaphanh Provincial Party-State Control Board 
Age: 60 
Date of birth: April 15, 1946 
Place of birth: Houaphanh province 
Ethnicity: Hmong 
 
¶48. Mrs. Sisay Leudetmounsone (new) 
Present position: Member of National Assembly, 
President of Champassak Lao Women's Union 
Previous positions: 
-- Vice President of Champassak Lao Women's Union 
Age: 48 
Date of birth: March 8, 1959 
Place of birth: Ban Naphai, Salavan province 
Ethnicity: Katang 
 
¶49. COL Sanyahak Phomvihane (new) 
Present position: Director of Local Army Department, 
Deputy Chief of Staff of Ministry of Defense, member of 
5th National Assembly 
Previous positions: 
-- Chief of Staff of Fifth Division 
-- Is son of LPDR founder Kaysone Phomvihane 
Age: 38 
Date of birth: June 16, 1968 
Place of birth: Viengsai, Houaphanh province 
Ethnicity: Lao and Vietnamese 
¶50. Mr. Cheuang Sombounkhanh (new) 
Present position: Chief of Cabinet of the Prime 
Minister's Office 
Previous position: 
-- Vice President of the State Planning and Cooperation 
Age: 51 
Date of birth: March 05, 1955 
Place of birth: Champassak province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶51. Dr. Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune (new) 
Present position: Deputy Director of National 
Organization for the Study of Politics and 
Administration (NOSPA) 
Previous position: unknown 
Age: 49 
Date of birth: August 11, 1957 
Place of birth: Houaphan province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶52. Mr. Khambay Damlath (new) 
Present position: Provincial Party Secretary, Governor 
of Khammouane province (since 2003) 
Previous position: 
-- Deputy governor, Khammouane province 
Age: 49 
Date of birth: October 10, 1957 
Place of birth: Khammouane province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶53. Mr. Sinay Mienglavanh (new) 
Present position: Governor of Attapeu province 
Previous position: unknown 
Age: Over 47 
Date of birth: July 15, 1959 
Place of birth: Attapeu province 
Ethnicity: Middle land Lao (Lao Theung) 
 
¶54. Mr. Bosaikham Vongdara (new) 
Present position: President of Lao Trade Unions (since 
2003) 
Previous position: 
-- Vice-President of Lao Trade Unions 
Age: 58 
Date of birth: April 15, 1948 
Place of birth: Phonsavanh, Pek district, Xiengkhouang 
province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
¶55. Mr. Sommath Pholsena (new) 
Present position: Vice Minister of Communication, 
Transport, Posts and Construction 
Previous position: 
-- Director of Road and Bridge Department, MCTPC 
Age: 53 
Date of birth: August 26, 1953 
Place of birth: Wat Ammath, Champassak district and 
province 
Ethnicity: Lowland Lao 
 
Members of the 7th Party Congress Central Committee 
removed from the 8th Party Congress Central Committee 
were: Mr. Sileua Bounkham (16), Mr. Thongvang Sihachak 
(24), Mr. Oneneua Phommachanh (25), Mr. Phoumi 
Thipphavone (28), Mr. Bouathong Vonglokham (29), Mr. 
Khamkeut Veunkham (39), Mr. Sengnyong Vongchanhkham 
(41), Mr. Cheuying Vang (44), Mr. Le Kakanya (45), Mr. 
Boualane Silipanya (46), Mr. Kenekham Senglathone (46), 
Mr. Siane Saphangthong (47) and Mr. Siho Bannavong 
(52). 
 
HASLACH