VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVN #0159 0720646
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 120646Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1901

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000159 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EEB/ESC/IEC GRIFFIN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ENRG SENV ABER ABUD LA
SUBJECT: LAOS INPUT FOR EISA REPORTS 
 
REF: STATE 10743 
 
1.--A. The economic officer in the two-officer pol/econ 
section covers energy matters.  Three locally engaged staff 
members (LES) also support the section. 
--B.  1 economic officer: 10 percent of the time; 1 LES: 10 
percent of the time. 
--C.  The econ officer covers the economic/commercial 
portfolio, the Environment, Science, Technology, and Health 
(ESTH) portfolio, USAID, humanitarian assistance, and 
unexploded ordnance.  The chief energy topic is hydropower, 
for which the econ officer maintains contact with a wide 
range of private and public sector companies and government 
offices.  The impact of hydropower on the environment, as 
well as the mechanics of funding dam construction, selling 
power to foreign governments, and commercial opportunities 
for U.S. firms, are also covered by the econ officer.  An LES 
staff member assists the econ officer with the above and has 
personal relations and knowledge of many individuals, both 
Lao and foreign, who work in the sector.  The personal 
relations are very important for accessing the correct people 
within the Lao government. 
--D.  1) personnel--$15,000 
      2) programs--0 
 
Huso