Laos celebrates Lao Front's 60th anniversary

Representatives of all ethnic Lao people including Lao expatriates gathered to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) on Friday in Vientiane.

Mr Choummaly Sayasone pins a national golden medal to a flag to mark the 60th anniversary of the Lao Front for National Construction, while Mr Sisavath Keobounphanh ( second left ) looks on .

LFNC President Mr Sisavath Keobounphanh told the meeting that before national liberation in 1975, the Lao Front acted as the representative of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in supervisin g the struggle of the Lao people against foreign colonisation.

After national liberation, the LFNC continued its role in building the solidarity of the Lao people to contribute to the two strategic tasks of the Party: national defence and development.

Mr Sisavath said LFNC officials work with villages to boost development, act as role models in preserving the traditional culture of Laos and contribute to the fight against corruption.

Officials stressed the importance of solidarity not only in wartime but also in peace. Without solidarity, they said, all endeavours would fail.

During the event, attendees learnt about the history of the LFNC in encouraging Lao people to fight against foreign aggressors.

Mr Buasy Chaleunsouk, on behalf of the senior officials, recalled how 16 revolutionary leaders, including then-President Souphanovong, and former presidents Nouhak Phoumsavanh and Phoumy Vongvichit, mysteriously escaped from jail in Vientiane on May 23, 1960, to the revolutionary stronghold in the north of Laos.

Attending the celebration were high ranking officials from Vietnam, led by President of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Mr Huynh Dam who was warmly welcomed by Lao leaders and high ranking officials. Lao President Mr Choummaly Sayasone said at the gathering of over 1,000 people that the LFNC carried out the fundamental task of mobilising Lao people from all ethnic groups to fight for national liberation.

The president added that even after national liberation in 1975, the Lao Front still played an important role in mobilising the Lao people to solidarity in contributing to national development and poverty reduction as well as restoring political stability, security and patriotism.

Mr Choummaly praised the recent achievements of the LFNC such as encouraging the younger generation to enter higher education and helping the country preserve its fine traditional culture.

“The Lao Front contributes to building clean villages, drug-free villages and educating people to respect the country's laws,” he added.

Mr Choummaly urged the LFNC to improve itself to deal with the complexities of global changes as well as helping to address various conflicts throughout the country.

Neo Lao Issara (the Lao Freedom Front) was established in 1950 and changed to Neo Lao Hakxat (Lao Patriotic Front) in 1956. It became the Lao Front for National Construction in 1979.

During Friday's celebration, the LFNC received a national golden medal from Mr Choummaly for its hard work and contributio n to the national cause over the past 60 years. The event was attended by high-ranking officials from the Party, government and mass organisations.

By Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update August 16, 2010)