Through these bilateral Letters of Agreements, signed on September 12, 2003, the two governments agree to implement the following projects:
1. The Narcotics Crop Control project is designed to support crop substitution and alternative development within the Lao, P.D.R. Funds to be supplied by the United States government for this project will amount to $1,572,000. Actions to be taken include supporting crop substitution programs in Phongsali, and Luang Prabang provinces as well as the crop substitution project in Luang Namtha, and eradication of opium fields in all provinces of Laos. In addition, some INL-financed infrastructure in the Houaphanh province project area requires follow-up maintenance and repair, and more income-generating activities will be provided for farmers who have given up opium.
2. The Drug Demand Reduction project is designed to establish/enhance the Government of Lao P.D.R. capability to reduce the demand for narcotic drugs within its borders. Funds to be supplied by the United States government for this project total $300,000.
3. The Law Enforcement Program project is designed to establish/enhance the Government of Lao P.D.R.’s capability to eliminate drug trafficking within its borders. Funds supplied by the United States government for this project total $50,000. The actions to be taken include supporting Government of Lao P.D.R. law enforcement entities with equipment and training that will enhance Lao capabilities to detect, arrest and prosecute narcotics traffickers.
Since 1989, the United States Government has provided approximately $38,000,000 in funds to support the Government ofLao PDR narcotics control program.