Old guard retains hold on politburo Saritdet Marukatat The communist old guard remains firmly in control in Laos with only three new faces in the expanded 11-member politburo unveiled yesterday at the closing of the seventh congress. The eight others are veterans of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, headed by Khamtay Siphandone, who is also state president. The congress also named 53 new central committee members, four more than previously. The 11 politburo members, an increase from nine, were unanimously elected at the first meeting of the central body, said Thongsing Thammavong, who oversees party affairs. Analysts said the new names were introduced to give the younger generation a say and to boost the power of Gen Khamtay. Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, had been expected to get a politburo seat but missed out and remains on the central committee. Instead, Thongloun Sisoulith, who chairs the national assembly's foreign affairs commission, was admitted. Mr Thongloun's inclusion heightened speculation he would replace Mr Somsavat as foreign minister. Mr Thongloun was a deputy foreign minister before moving to head the Labour and Social Welfare Ministry. A second newcomer to the politburo, Douangchai Phichith, the army chief-of-staff and a key figure in talks with Thailand on border security co-operation, strengthens the already strong military representation. The main surprise is newcomer Bouasone Bouphavanh, who leapfrogged from 40th position in the central committee thanks to a big push from Gen Khamtay. Mr Bouasone was secretary to the central committee and, like Mr Thongloun, obtained a doctorate from Russia, a source said. Despite the shifts, analysts based in Vientiane saw no significant change. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
