James Kelly, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, said that Laos has never been an ally of the U.S., voting against the U.S on Iraq.
However, the Bush administration is still seeking support for giving Normal Trade Relations status (NTR) to the Communist country.
U.S ambassador to Laos, Douglas Hartwick, says NTR will not only greatly benefit Laos but will also benefit the U.S immensely.
NTR Opponents have cited Laos' poor human rights records, including lack of religious freedom, and its alleged genocide against the Hmong minority.