Laos capital in security lock down as Clark set to arrive

Prime Minister Helen Clark will fly into Laos' capital Vientiane on Monday to find a city locked down by tight security as authorities prepare for the Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) summit she will attend.

More than 5000 army, police and security forces are patrolling the streets of Vientiane as roadblocks outside the city prevent provincial Laotians from coming into the capital.

The crackdown is prompted by fears anti-Laotian Government militants will launch attacks to disrupt the gathering of more than 3000 politicians, officials, business people and journalists from 16 countries.

The communist leadership have issued a series of edicts to the citizens of Vientiane ordering them to spruce up the city and keep out "bad elements" for Laos' biggest showcase in its 800 year history.

"Bad elements" is the euphemism for Hmong militants who fought alongside the United States in the 1960's and 1970s against the communists and have mounted a sporadic campaign of violent resistance in the mostly peaceful country ever since the Laos People's Revolutionary Party assumed control in 1975.

Laos opened its borders and relaxed a number of its strict rules in recent years, but has returned to form as it seizes on the summit as an opportunity to show Laos to the world and to attract foreign investment to one of the poorest countries in Asia.

Amongst the declarations are:

* "New arrangements for entertainment venues" which has meant the closure of a large number of bars, nightclubs and dance halls - bars that remain open have been warned against allowing drunkenness;

* The two week long That Luang festival has been curtailed to two days with devotees of the Buddhist and national independence celebration told to emphasise its "traditional" aspects and the ban on rural dwellers entering the city has stopped thousands from attending;

* Trucks and buses are not allowed to enter Vientiane from November 29 to December 1;

* No tourists are meant to be allowed to enter Vientiane from Nov 22 to December 1;

* Schools are closed;

* Some taxis, tuk-tuks (motorcycle taxis with a carriage on the back) and motorbikes are being discouraged from the city centre;

* Roofs overhanging sidewalks are being torn down.

Besides the edicts, officials are ensuring walls are whitewashed and unsightly areas in the city have been screened behind bamboo curtains.

The state-owned press has reported unanimous support from the people saying that they appreciate their convenience has to be sacrificed for their greater good.

"People should be wary of those who criticise the government for imposing travel restrictions," The Vientiane Times warned in its Friday edition.

"These bad elements want to use this event for personal gain only. They are trying to spread an insecure and bad atmosphere in the city. Therefore everyone should be on the alert and make an effort to protect the city."

There had been fears that food would run short during the summit because of the restrictions on trucks.

But the man in charge of food supply in the city during the summit, Vientiane State Food Enterprise General Director Viengkheo Phathoumphone, does not agree.

"We will actually have too much food," he said.

To make sure that there is no doubt and no profiteering officials are patrolling the markets to ensure that fixed prices for staple goods are complied with.

The Laos government has been stretched to meet the demands of hosting the 10 nation Asean summit, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar and Cambodia.

Also attending for separate summit meetings are the leaders of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Miss Clark and her Australian counterpart John Howard received a surprise invitation to attend the summit earlier this year. It is the first time since 1977 a New Zealand leader has been invited.

It is also the first time a New Zealand Prime Minister has visited Laos.

The summit between Australia/New Zealand and Asean is expected to end in agreement to enter into trade talks that will take two years to complete and be phased in over 10 years.

The formal summit takes place on Tuesday.

- NZPA