In the last few years, progress has been made in both areas. The two countries have conducted numerous site surveys and recovery operations since January 1989. In 1987, Laos began to cooperate on narcotics, when it requested assistance in providing viable alternative crops to opium farmers. Since then, the two countries have signed an agreement on cooperation and initiated a multimillion dollar crop-substitution program. Laos also has formed a national committee on narcotics, participated in US- sponsored narcotics training seminars, and taken law enforcement actions.
Business travel is encouraged.
US citizens of Lao origin have been able of late to obtain visas easily to visit family and have not experienced any particular difficulty in Laos. Several US journalists have been able to secure visas within the past year as well. Sponsorship by an individual or organization in Laos can ease the application process. Bangkok is the nearest city served by a US carrier. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.