The World - News from March 28, 1989

Laos has put on hold plans to cooperate with the United States against drug trafficking because of a U.S. report accusing Laotian government officials of involvement in the drug trade, Deputy Foreign Minister Souban Salitthilat said in Vientiane. “We were absolutely stunned and surprised at the American government report (issued March 1),” Souban said. Before the report, he said, Laos had been prepared to discuss direct U.S. aid and to send officials to the United States for anti-drug training. Under U.S. law, the negative report means that Laos cannot receive direct bilateral aid.