Before arriving in Washington, the Deputy Foreign Minister stopped in Hawaii where he discussed MIA issues with U.S officials. He says of the 569 cases of Americans missing from the Indochina war, joint efforts betwen Laos and the U.S have recovered and solved 188 cases, and that American officials are pleased with the progress and the level of cooperation they have received from the Lao government.
Mr. Phongsavath also talks about Laos-U.S cooperation in the anti-narcotics area, where U.S assistance has played a significant role in helping Laos to completely eridicate opium growth from its land by 2005.