Dissertation summary: The public communication of the local army in the northwest provinces of the Lao People''s Democratic Republic (LPDR) during current period

Research objectives: Analyzing and interpreting to clarify fundamental issues of public communication of local army in northwestern provinces of Laos; assessing the status, identifying the cause and drawing some experience in conducting of public communication of local army in northwestern provinces; determining the direction and requirements and proposing measures to enhance the public communication of the local army in the northwest provinces during current period.

1. Overview of the thesis

Thesis’s theme: "The public communication of the local army in the northwest provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) during current period" is a matter to be cherished, concerned and devoted during  many  years   studying  and  working   in   schools  and  units   The research of this thesis is based on the theoretical system of Marxism ­ Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, Kaysone Phomvihane’s point of view as well as the view of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) 

on public communication

Public comunication conducted by the local army in the northwest provinces of Laos aims to build, consolidate the political foundation for the  army’s  forces,   create  synergy   to   protect   the   territorial   integrity, independence and sovereignty of the fatherland, motherland as well as contribute to building strong unit on politics, ideology, organization, complete all assigned tasks. During the process of the thesis, the author has to acquire, inherit selectively the research results of the related scientific work

The thesis focus on interpretation of the fundamental problems of Public communication of local army in the northwest provinces of Laos; assessment   of   the   reality,   drawing   some   experiences   of   public communication; identification of requirements and proposing measures to enhance   the   Public   communication   of   local   army   in  the   northwest provinces of Laos during current period

The   structure   of   the   thesis   includes:   introduction,   overview,   3 chapters (6 articles), conclusions and list of references and appendices. This 

is an independent scientific work that is new and not duplicate with any scientific work, or dissertation, thesis has been tested and publicized

2. Reasons for choosing thesis’s theme

Public communication is an activity which aims to propagandize, mobilize,   gather   and   promote   the   strength   of   the   people's   solidarity towards successful implementation of the guidelines and the policy of the Party   and   the   laws   of   the   State   The   substance   of   the   public communication is the Party’s propagation of revolutionary. Therefore, public   communication   positioned   particularly   important   role   in   the revolutionary  cause of  the Party   In  any revolutionary period,  LPRP always appreciates and focuses on public communication, considers it as a regular and strategic task of the revolution; contribute into ensuring great victories in the cause of construction and national protection

  Lao   People's   Army   organized   and   leaded   by   LPRP   is   a powerful tool of violence, the loyal and trusted political forces of the Party, State and people whose functions and tasks is ready to combat; 

to participate into labor force; to conduct public communication and 

to   build   a   strong   political   base   Implementation   of   public communication is a basic function, an important political task, and a strategic   issue   of   the   Lao   People's   Army   (LPA)   in   every revolutionary period

The northwestern provinces of Laos are regions with an important strategic   position   on   economy,   politics,   culture,   society,   defense   and security of the country. There are many tribes coexist together, have a tradition   of   kindness,   diligence,   hard   work,   solidarity   and   mutual assistance in the revolutionary periods, which contributes greatly into the cause of national liberation. In general, Lao ethnics  in  the northwest provinces  have   patriotic   spirit,   enthusiastically   carry   out   the   Party's guidelines and policies, the laws of the State and contribute into the renovation,   construction   and   national   protection   under   the   road   to socialism. However, due to the geographical conditions of the northwest provinces   of  Laos,   besides   favorable   condition,   there   are   many challenges   especially   the   plot   tricks,   hostile   activities   against   the revolution to agitate, entice some free people to arbitrarily act unlawful, protest against the government, split the block of national unity. So, to persuade the people to understand, believe, follow and actively implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the law of the State, to successfully implement the two strategic tasks of revolution has been raised both regularly and urgently than ever

Local army in northwestern provinces of Laos is part of the Lao People's Army, was assigned the task of firmly defending the strategic areas   of   the   country   Over   the   years,   Local   army   in  northwestern provinces  of   Laos  has   gained   great   achievements   in   many   aspects, including public communiction: positively propagandizing, advocacing, helping and protecting people, actively participating in the construction, strengthening   the  organizational   system   and   political   background   in local   society,   contributing   into   economic   development,   improving people's lives, strengthening national defence and security in local units.However, besides those achievements, public communication of local   army   in  northwestern   provinces   of  Laos   also   revealed   the limitations and shortcomings. Awareness of soliders about the position, meaning   and   importance   of   public   communication   is   incomplete. Capacity of some units to undertake public communication is limited. 

They are embarrassing to determine goals, directions, content, form and poor method to conduct, lack of flexibility, the efficiency is not high; advising synergistic combination loose   So, digging deep into study of public   communication   of   local   army   nowadays   becomes   urgent requirement, directly contributes into building strong local areas and facilitating   construction   of   strong,   comprehensive   local   army   in northwestern provinces. This is why I choosed the issue: "The public communication  of   the  local   army  in   the  northwest   provinces   of   the People's Democratic Republic of Laos  during current period" as the subject of research in this thesis.

3. The purpose and mission of the thesis 

* Purpose: Interpreting to clarify the theoretical and practical 

issues,   to   propose   solutions   in   order   to   strengthen   public communication of local army in northwestern provinces of Laos during current period

* Task of the thesis:

­ Analyzing and interpreting to clarify fundamental issues of public communication of local army in northwestern provinces of Laos

­ Assessing the status, identifying the cause and drawing some experience in conducting of public communication of  local army in northwestern provinces of Laos

­ Determining the direction and requirements and proposing measures to enhance the public communication of the local army in the northwest provinces during current period

5. Rationale, practice and research methods

* Rationale:

The   thesis   is   done   on   a   theoretical   basis   of   Marxism   ­ Leninism   and   Ho   Chi   Minh’s   ideology   and   President  Kaysone Phomvihane’s opinion; the view of the LPRP on public communication; 

directions   and   guidelines   about   public   communications   of   the Ministry of Defense and the General Political Department of the Lao People's Army.

* Practical basis:

All   operations   to   perform   political   duties   of  local   army   in northwestern   provinces   of  Laos,   including   public   communication; comments, reviews, reports of the authorities of the superiors and the political rooms ­ Military Command of  northwestern provinces that was   announced;   the   statistics,   author’s   survey   results   of   public communication  of  local army in  northwestern provinces of  Laos  in recent years

*   Methodology:  Based   on   the   methodology   of   Marxism   ­ 

Leninism,   the   thesis   use   method   of   scientific   research   and interdisciplinary majors, focusing methods: logic ­ history; analysis, synthesis,   statistics,   comparation,   sociological   surveys   and   expert approach, and focusing especially on fieldwork survey methodology, practical summaries

7. Theoretical and practical meaning of the thesis

­ The result of the thesis provides further scientific basis to help committees, local government, the commanders of the units, the staff and the authorities in northwestern provinces of Laos to refer and apply in performing their tasks of public communication

­   The   results   of   the   thesis   can   be   used   as   a   reference   in research, teaching and learning in the academy, military school

8. Structure of the thesis

Structure   of   the   thesis   includes:   introduction,   overview   of research  issues,   3  chapters   (6   articles),   conclusions,   the   scientific work of the related authors to this dissertation has been published, the list of references and appendices

LOCAL ARMY IN NORTHWESTERN PROVINCES, PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF LAOS 

DURING CURENT PERIOD

1. The research related to the thesis

1.1. The situation of research related to the thesis in Laos

1.1.1. Some reference books related to the thesis

Politburo,   the   Central   Propaganda   Committee   (2004), 

"Summary   of   the   people’s   war   led   by   the   Party   (1945­1975)", 

National   Publishing   House,   Vientiane;   the   Party’s   Central 

Propaganda Committee (2002), "Read carefully, for all, understood  properly, organize to make it real and and effective", Publisher Xa­

phan   Thong­Can­Phim;   National   institute   of   Social   Sciences   and Humanities,   Institute   of   tribes   ­   religion   research   (2009), 

"Understanding   the   tribes   in   Laos",   National   Publishing   House;  President Kaysone Phomvihane (1974) ­ "Building a solid foundation 

to put the country firmly on the path to socialist'', National Publishing  House; Government Office (2008), "Steering Committee of program  for rural development, alleviation ­ poverty reduction (2006­2010)", 

National   Publishing  House;   Local   Department,   the  Army  General 

Staff   Department   of   Laos   (2006)   "professional   training,   building  people's war posture". Military Publishing House

1.1.2. Some scientific works in Laos related to the thesis

Chanthideunsavan, "The public communication of the Party in  the period of struggles for political authorities and have the backing  

of the armed", Journal of Party Building, No. 2, 2010; Khan Phan  Phom Ma That "Construction of the political establishments tied to   the construction and the development of clusters of villages in Se   Koong", Journal of Party Building, No. 8, 2010; Mo Muong Khong 

"The public communication of Xa La Van Provincial associated with   building, strengthening and consolidating the Party’s organization   system clean and strongly", Journal of Party Building, No. 8, 2010;  Som   Phon   Su   Van   Na   "The   mobilization   of   the   public   in   the   construction   and   consolidation   of   political   stability   ­   factor   that   guarantee the stability of the country", Journal of national defense, 

No. 4, 2013; Suban Hunna Champa "The propaganda of the Lao  People's Army in building a strong local units, ensuring the overall   stability of the country", Jounal of national defence, No 4, 2014 

1.1.3. Some thesises, dissertations in Laos related to this thesis Sisom Xayphon Supha (2006), "The public communication of the  army in Savanakhet in the current period", Masters thesis in political 

science,   Military   Political   Academy   (Vietnam);   Vannavong   Sulseng 

Alun (2003),  "Promoting the role of military staff to participate in  building the political establishments in middle of Laos in the current  period",   Masters   thesis,   Military   Political   Academy   (Vietnam);  Vilavutpakit (2009), "Promoting the role of Government in management 

of   building   the   political   establishments   in   Vientiane   in   the   new  conditions'', Master thesis in political science, National Academy of 

Politics   and   Administration,   Vientiane;   Phonthoong   Phanchalonphon 

Vietnam People's Army, General Political Department (1996), 

"Innovation in public communication of Vietnam People's Army in   the new situation", People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi. “Draft  history  of   public   communication   of   Communist   Party  of   Vietnam   (1930 ­ 1996)” Central Committee on Public Communication (1999), 

National   Political   Publishing   House,   Hanoi   Ministerial­level 

scientific   project   "Military   participates   into   building   the   local   political system in the ethnic and religious areas in Tay Nguyen in   new   conditions"  writen   by   Brigadier   General   Le   Ngoc   Sanh,   the 

Army Academy. Dr. Dam Van Tho and Dr. Vu Hung wrote the book 

"The relationship between the Party and people in Ho Chi Minh’s   ideology", National Political Publishing House published in 1997. 

The book "Military’s participation into building political and social foundation in economic ­ defense areas" by the Institute of Military Sciences of Society and Humanities, including many articles directly referring to the situation of the political   and social construction in economic – defense zones in Tay Nguyen, 

1.2.2. Some scientific articles in Vietnam related to the thesis

General Phung Quang Thanh (2007),  "Some issues of public  communication of Vietnam People's Army" was published in Journal 

of Public communication, No. 12, page. 2 ­ 5, 16. Mr. Nong Duc 

Manh (2008), "The public communication must be a strategic task in   Party building, government building, strengthening and building the   National   Front   and   People   organizations",   Journal   of   Public  communication, No. 3, page. 2 ­ 6. Tran Duc Luong (2002), "Public  communication   actively   contributes   into   strengthening   and   sustaining the strong and intimate relationships between the Party,   Government and the people", Journal of Public communication No. 

11,   page   5­7   Dr   Nguyen   Van   Bao   (2012),  "Coordinating   the  impletation of public communication in the field of defense ­ security  

in Binh Thuan Province", Journal of Political and Military Education 

No 5, page. 41 ­ 43. Lieutenant Colonel. Nguyen Van Bien (2012) 

"local army in border areas of North West Province has well done the public   mobilization   and   building   political   establishment,   which contribute   into   preventing   disruption,   violent   overthrow   of goverment",   Journal   of   Political   and   Military   Education   No.5, page.51 ­ 54 

1.2.3. Some of thesises, dissertations in Vietnam related to this   topic

Vu Dinh Tan (2001) "Renewal of the public communication of  the Vietnam People's Army in the current period according to Ho   Chi Minh’s ideology", doctoral thesis on Party building, Military and  Political   Academy;   Nguyen   Ngoc   Chau   (2010),   "The   public  communication   of   the   military   units   in   the   area   of  religious  inhabitants in the South East areas in the current period”, doctoral  thesis   on   Party   building,   Military   and   Political   Academy   “The  mobilization   of   Catholics   people   to   built   a   strong   local   unit   conducted by the Ninh Binh’s army in the current period” ­ Pham 

Anh Linh, Masters thesis on Party Building, Military and Political 

Academy, 2008; “The mobilization of ethnic Khmer conducted by  B30 Unit Military Zone 9 in the current period” ­ Masters thesis on  Party   Building,   Military   and   Political   Academy,   2005;   “The  mobilization   of   people   to   participate   in   managing   the   border,   the   landmark   conducted   by   the   Border   Guard   in   the   northern   border   provinces in the current period” ­ Bui Duy Loi, Masters thesis on Party  building, Military and Political Academy , 2004; “The mobilization of  people to struggle to prevent and combat illegal missionaries in the  

border areas conducted by border posts in the northwest provinces in   the   current   period”  ­   Vu   Manh   Luong,   Master   thesis   on   Party 

construction, Political and Academy Military, 2004 

2. Overview of the research results of the projects were announced and the basics issues that were focused to resolve

2.1. The outline of some major findings of the studies related  

to the thesis

Firstly,   based   on   the   evaluation   in   the   approach   under   the 

different views around the issues of feature, position, importance, value and the great achievements of public communication in each Party's revolutionary period

Secondly, the author has confirmed the need to build, to promote 

the role of the army in the national defense; and military plays a very important   role   in   conducting   public   communication,   actively   and effectively participating in the propaganda, mobilization people to join the revolutionary movement, increasing economic production, strengthening national defense ­ security, maintaining political and social security which 

is a fundamental, regular and urgent responsibility today

Thirdly,   the   authors  deeply  studied,   surveyed,   assessed  the 

situation  of   public   communication   in  the   military   through   specific objects,   which   defined   the   contents   of   the   tasks,   requirements   and methods that the army used to conduct public communication. They also proposed orientations, practical  and  suitable solutions to improve the quality of public communication to successfully implement the course 

of  innovation,  industrialization   and   modernization   is   an  objective requirements

Fourthly, the authors asserted that the Party’s work and Politic 

work in the armed forces, the army and in the missions of the military units plays an important role, are the soul, a lifeline of the Army. Therefore, conducting activities of party and politics in each agency 

or   military   unit,   in   every   task,   including   public   communication mission   whic   is   a   basic   operation,   the   principle   to   operate   and develop each unit as well as the whole army

Fifthly,   when   discussing   about   the   rule   to   conduct   public 

communication,   the  authors  have  consistently  affirmed:   The  local armed forces involved to conduct public communication under the leadership and execution of committees, local government and the direction of the direct superiors of each force

2.2. The basic issues that the thesis will be focus to resolve Firstly, researching, fully recognizing, then, based on that basis 

to   interpretate   fundamently   and   systematically   theoretical   issues about public communication of local army in northwestern provinces of Laos, LPDR

Secondly, conducting fieldwork surveys; comprehensively and 

specifically   evaluating   the   situation;   drawing   some   experience   in conducting  public   communication   of  local   army   in  northwestern 

provinces of Laos, LPDR.

Thirdly,  analyzing   the   impact   factors,   determining 

requirements   and   recommendeding   system   of   feasible synchronization solution to increase  public communication of  local army in northwestern provinces of Laos, LPDR in the current period

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION OF LOCAL ARMY IN THE NORTH WEST PROVINCES OF LAO PEOPLE'S 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC1.1. The North West provinces and the local army in the northwest provinces, Lao People's Democratic Republic

1.1.1. Northwest Provinces in Lao People's Democratic Republic 

Provinces in Lao northwestern region has contiguous borders with   4   countries   such   as:   Thailand   in   the   west,   Myanmar   in   the Northwest, China and Vietnam in the north, Vientiane Province in the south. The northwestern provinces of LPDR include: Luang Nam Tha, U Dom Xay, Luang Pra Bang, Xalnabouli and Bokèo

The   northwestern   provinces   of   LPDR   is   strategic   areas, revolutionary bases, important rear of national liberation as well as in course   of   building   and   protecting   the   country   today   The northwestern   provinces   of   Laos   is   distributed   into   5   provinces, including  39  districts   with  128,740   square   metter,   accounting  for 39.46% of the country area of Laos, with a population of 2,569,100 people, accounting for 23.19% of the national population (according 

to   2010   statistics),   is   place   with   so   many   resources,   especially minerals, forest products and hydro power resources

Each province has many different tribes living together, often focused mainly on plain and urban area. Each tribe has the their own characteristics of customs and practices. Their economic life is still in many difficulty ; culture and society are underdeveloped with many backward   practices ;   political   awareness   is   still   limited   They   are mostly ethnic minorities in the remote northwestern areas in Laos. Enemies are focusing on this characteristics, to organize propaganda, enticement, seducement their followers against the revolution. But in overall, the nature of the tribal people in northwest Laos is upright, honest and trusted in the Party and State

1.1.2. The local army in the northwest provinces of the Lao   People's Democratic Republic 

  * The functions, tasks and organizational staff of the local   army in the northwest provinces of the People's Democratic Republic  

of Laos

The key function and task of the local army in the northwest provinces   of   Laos   is   ready   to   fight   and   win   to   protect   the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland, 

to   protect   the   results   of   the   revolution   and   defend   the   Party, government, life and property of the people, to maintain political stability,   social   order   and   safety   in   the   locality,   as   well   perform functions   as   Army,   productive   labor   forces,   involved   in   the development economic development and building a strong political base; building national defense; national defense was tied to people's security posture and building solid defense sector

The function of the local army in the northwest provinces of   the People's Democratic Republic of Laos:

Firstly,  ready   to   fight   and   win   to   defend   the   national  independence,   sovereignty   and   territorial   integrity;   Secondly, 

conducting   propaganda,   mobilization   of   strata   in   the   northwest provinces of Laos to implement guidelines and policies of the Party 

and   the   laws   of   the   State;   Thirdly,  working   to   contribute   into 

building, developing the local economy and improving the lives of 

the people, the officers and soldiers.

The mission of the local army in the northwest provinces of the   People's Democratic Republic of Laos:

Firstly, the task is ready to fight, fight for national defense in  the northwestern provinces of LPDR. Secondly, regularly training to 

the core force, always ready to fight and defend the country against 

invasion. Secondly, the local army in the northwest provinces of Laos 

is a key force in maintaining security and political ­ social safety in 

this area. Thirdly, the local army in the northwest provinces of Laos  plays in developing all aspects of the locality  Fourthly, the local 

army in the northwest provinces of Laos has a role in maintaining the national sovereignty and national borders

* Features of the local army in the northwest provinces of Laos Firstly,   most   of   the   staff,   officers   are   party   members, 

experienced leadership, command and management in the work of the agencies and units the local army in the northwest provinces of 

Laos.  Secondly,  the local army in the northwest provinces of Laos 

operates in a large geographical areas where are mainly mountainous, remote   areas   with   many   difficulties   and   complicatedness   and   the region   borderd   some   countries   with   different   political   systems. 

Thirdly, the local army in the northwest provinces of Laos remains  difficulties of weapons, technical equipment and facilities. Fourthly, 

the task of the local army in the northwest provinces of Laos is very heavy and complex since they must both operate independently and combinate with other forces

1.2. The basics of public communication’s work of the local army 

in the northwest provinces of Lao People's Democratic Republic 

   1.2.1. The perception of the public communication of the   local army in the northwest provinces of Lao People's Democratic   Republic 

* The concept of the public communication of local army in the   northwest provinces of LPDR

The   public   communication   of   local   army   in   the   northwest provinces of LPDR is part of the public communication of People's Army 

of Laos, including general operations, measures on politics, ideology and management, conducted by officers and soldiers to propagandize and mobilize people perform the Party's guidelines and policies, State’s laws, programs and development plans of local units, to strenthen the intimate relationship between the army and the people; under the leadership of party   committees,   the   executive   of   officer   in   charge   of   the   unit; simultaneously,  when conducted in  any  locality,  they  must  obey the leadership and executive of committees, local authorities there

The   purpose   of   public   communication:   To   contribute   into propagadizing and mobilizing people to implement well the guidelines and   policies   of   the   Party,   State's   laws   and   guidelines,   policies   and development plans of local units; maintaining and strengthening intimate tie   between   the   army   and   people,   building   the   great   national   unity, maitaining political stability, social order and safety in the northwest provinces, contributing firmly safeguard independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country

Subject, forces in charge of implementation:

Subject in charge of leadership, direction:  Committee level, 

Party’s organizations, officials in charge of the agencies, units of local army; simultaneously when conducting public communication 

in one local unit they must obey the leadership and executive of committees, local authorities there

Forces   in   charge   of   implementation:  All   agencies, 

organizations, forces and all officials and soldiers in the agencies and units of local army in  the northwest provinces; agencies, first of all, government   agencies   and   political   staff   advise   and   assist   the executive committee and the officials in charged in respect of the leadership, direction and implementation

Impacted objects: All the political ­ social organizations, entire people of tribes in the northwest provinces of Laos, in which the religious   leaders,   church   members,   village   elders   and   chiefs,   and ethnic minorities are focused

mobilizing   people   to   build   solid   defense   sector,   to   build   safe 

localities;  Fourthly,   building   a   comprehensively   strong   localities;  Fifthly,   through   public   communication   to   build   and   train   militia 

forces, reserve

The forms and methods to conduct Public communication:  Firstly,   twinning   activities  Secondly,  marching   picnic   as   a  work   of   public   communication  Thirdly,   sending   working   teams.  Fourthly,  sending   additive   staff   to   localities  Fifthly,   coordinating 

with other forces to mobilize and assist people in sedentary farming 

and   settlement  Sixthly,   the   link   with   the   localities   to   organize 

production, sales, to participate in alleviation programs and poverty 

reduction. Seventhly, conducting the program of combination of civil  and   military   healthcare  Eighthly,   participating   in   the   rescue 

operation, rescue, disaster, disease

1.2.2. Role of public communication of the local army in the   northwest provinces of Laos

Firstly,  public   communication   contributes   to   successfully 

implement   guidelines   and   policies   of   the   Party   and   State,   to consolidate unity block and to strengthen national solidarity between