Since the mid-1980s, relations between the United States and Laos have been largely based on accounting for those persons classified as prisoner of war/missing in action (POW/MIA) in Laos from the Indochina wars (1946-75) and on counternarcotics issues (see Narcotics and Counternarcotics Issues , this ch.; The Origins of the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Question , ch. 1; Bilateral Relations , ch. 4). In February 1985, a Laotian-United States team conducted the first joint excavation of a plane crash site, resulting in the identification of the remains of thirteen missing servicemen. Progress in Laos-United States relations accelerated after 1988, with Laos agreeing to expand POW/MIA activities. The two countries have conducted numerous site surveys and recovery operations since January 1989.

Data as of July 1994

NOTE: The information regarding Laos on this page is re-published from The Library of Congress Country Studies and the CIA World Factbook. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Laos Relations with the United States information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Laos Relations with the United States should be addressed to the Library of Congress and the CIA.