Laos Minister Seeks Asylum in France The government of Laos is uncertain as to the exact whereabouts of Khamsay Souphanouvong, a minister in the Prime Ministers Office and former finance minister, but maintains that he is in Europe on private business. However, one leading Laotian dissident reports that Khamsay has been seeking political asylum abroad. After approaching the US, he was reportedly advised to seek asylum from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Members of his family have also left Laos through official channels, according to the dissident source. Khamsays absence from Laos was first noted by Radio Free Asia, which reported that he left Laos for Thailand on April 10 and departed Bangkok on July 26 for an unknown destination. After government officials reported him lost, a spokesman in the Laotian Foreign Ministry said that while they had lost contact with Khamsay, they believe that he is somewhere in Europe visiting his friends and relatives and engaging in various businesses. Analysts suggest that the declining political fortunes of Khamsay have pushed him away from the regime. Benefiting from his position as the son of Laos first president, Prince Souphanouvong, Khamsay rose in the party ranks to the position of finance minister. But in 1995, his father died. He was demoted in 1996.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 06:26:06 +0000