On 11 January, Robert and Margaret Ann Seiple returned for their 13th visit to Laos, a country where they have been integral in efforts to promote religious freedom. During their trip, they will meet with representatives from the Lao government, including Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction, Mr. Tong Yeu Tho, and provincial governors; U.S. Ambassador to Laos, Patricia Haslach; and Lao religious representatives at the national and local level.
We ended our visit on a “high”, a very good meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad.
We have become friends over the years and were greeted with genuine affection. Somsavat was instrumental in successfully solving the various issues in Keng Kok (mentioned previously), and meetings that celebrate “win-win” solutions always seem to go better.
Somsavat has recently been elevated to the Politburo, one of the top 11 leaders in Laos today. His star continues to rise, his power increased, and the case for long-term relationships building has been clearly made yet again.
Following a spirited, light hearted “give and take”, I gave Somsavat the details of the second co-opted church outside of Keng Kok. He promised to look into it immediately (“I will call the Governor tomorrow”). The U.S. Embassy will follow up with a “diplomatic note” which will cover all of the other problem areas discussed at lower government levels.
Summary reflections:
- The value of our “top-down, bottom-up methodology was proven again and again. We have gained respect and credibility with the powerful, the implementers, and the ultimate receivers. Relational diplomacy is key, an approach proven by what we have been able to accomplish.
- I would resist the temptation to establish a more former MOU with the Lao government. We have been able to go anywhere in the country, see any official or group desired, have access to decision makers and implementers alike, talk to the press, be hosted at all levels of government, provided pulpits to make our case. No one else has this freedom. Plus we receive critically important logistical and informational support from both the U.S. and Lao Embassies. Each government has strongly suggested we avoid the entanglements of bureaucracy. I agree.
- Given the above, we need to be very intentional as to how we pass the baton. At the very least Chris (Seiple) and I will need to travel to Laos together for a couple of times. The Lao always reference our family (as well as the number of visits we have made) when they talk about “our friends.” We need to extend that with Chris.
- It is time for another Lao delegation visit to the States. We planted the seed and it immediately began to produce fruit. Invitations should be sent directly from IGE to Mr. Tong Yeu Tho, Vice President of the Lao Front for Construction with copies to the U.S. and Lao Embassies. The invitation should be signed by both Chris and me. It will be helpful to the Lao for us to explain the visit, articulate a rationale, and be specific concerning individual meetings.
- There were two critical events in creating our relationships with the Lao. The first was the Delegation visit to the U.S. (this, according to Dr. Siho). The second was finding a mutually beneficial solution to all the people of Keng Kok. Both of these events produced trust, diminished paranoia, and bought time for relationships to mature. Nothing easy or quick here. Invest for the long term, or keep your money in your pocket.
- Transitions, lots of transition. We will have a new Lao Ambassador in D.C. and new U.S. Ambassador in Vientiane. Greg Chapman is gone, Terry Mobley leaves in May but Harvey Summers (a good guy and a great disposition for the Lao) is already aboard to track our issues from his perch in the U.S. Embassy. Dr. Siho has retired. We will miss his wisdom and his clout (which almost totally evaporates with retirement). Mr. Tong Yeu Tho will be critically important to us and, of course, Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad is most important.
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