Chapter V (19)

Names:
conventional long form:
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
conventional short form:
North Korea
local long form:
Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
local short form:
none
Abbreviation:
DPRK
Digraph:
KN
Type:
Communist state; Stalinist dictatorship
Capital:
P'yongyang
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 3 special cities* (jikhalsi,, singular and plural);
Chagang-do (Chagang Province), Hamgyong-bukto (North
Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto
(North Hwanghae Province), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province),
Kaesong-si* (Kaesong City), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Namp'o-si*, (Namp'o City),
P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan Province), P'yongan-namdo
(South P'yongan Province), P'yongyang-si* (P'yongyang City), Yanggang-do, (Yanggang Province)
Independence:
9 September 1948
note:
15 August 1945, date of independence from the Japanese and celebrated in
North Korea as National Liberation Day
Constitution:
adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April
1992
Legal system:
based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist
legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
DPRK Foundation Day, 9 September (1948)
Political parties and leaders:
major party - Korean Workers' Party (KWP), KIM Il-song, general secretary,
and his son, KIM Chong-il, secretary, Central Committee; Korean Social
Democratic Party, KIM Yong-ho, vice-chairman; Chondoist Chongu Party, CHONG
Sin-hyok, chairman
Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held 24 May 1990 (next to be held by NA 1994); results - President KIM
Il-song was reelected without opposition
Supreme People's Assembly:
last held on 7-9 April 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote
by party NA; seats - (687 total) the KWP approves a single list of
candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a few
seats
Executive branch:
president, two vice presidents, premier, ten vice premiers, State
Administration Council (cabinet)

*Korea, North, Government

Legislative branch:
unicameral Supreme People's Assembly (Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui)
Judicial branch:
Central Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President KIM Il-song (national leader since 1948, president since 28
December 1972); designated successor KIM Chong-il (son of president, born 16
February 1942)
Head of Government:
Premier KANG Song-san (since December 1992)
Member of:
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, IFAD, IMF (observer), IMO, IOC, ISO, ITU,
LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
none
US diplomatic representation:
none
Flag:
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red
band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk
with a red five-pointed star

*Korea, North, Economy

Overview:
More than 90% of this command economy is socialized; agricultural land is
collectivized; and state-owned industry produces 95% of manufactured goods.
State control of economic affairs is unusually tight even for a Communist
country because of the small size and homogeneity of the society and the
strict rule of KIM Il-song and his son, KIM Chong-il. Economic growth during
the period 1984-88 averaged 2-3%, but output declined by 3-5% annually
during 1989-92 because of systemic problems and disruptions in
socialist-style economic relations with the former USSR and China. In 1992,
output dropped sharply, by perhaps 10-15%, as the economy felt the
cumulative effect of the reduction in outside support. The leadership
insisted in maintaining its high level of military outlays from a shrinking
economic pie. Moreover, a serious drawdown in inventories and critical
shortages in the energy sector have led to increasing interruptions in
industrial production. Abundant mineral resources and hydropower have formed
the basis of industrial development since WWII. Output of the extractive
industries includes coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead,
and precious metals. Manufacturing is centered on heavy industry, including
military industry, with light industry lagging far behind. Despite the use
of improved seed varieties, expansion of irrigation, and the heavy use of
fertilizers, North Korea has not yet become self-sufficient in food
production. Five consecutive years of poor harvests, coupled with
distribution problems, have led to chronic food shortages. North Korea
remains far behind South Korea in economic development and living standards.
National product:
GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $22 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-10% to -15% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,000 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $18.5 billion; expenditures $18.4 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1992)
Exports:
$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
minerals, metallurgical products, agricultural and fishery products,
manufactures (including armaments)
partners:
China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico
Imports:
$1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
petroleum, grain, coking coal, machinery and equipment, consumer goods
partners:
China, Russia, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore
External debt:
$8 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -15% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
7,300,000 kW capacity; 26,000 million kWh produced, 1,160 kWh per capita
(1992)

*Korea, North, Economy

Industries:
machine building, military products, electric power, chemicals, mining,
metallurgy, textiles, food processing
Agriculture:
accounts for about 25% of GNP and 36% of work force; principal crops - rice,
corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; livestock and livestock products - cattle,
hogs, pork, eggs; not self-sufficient in grain; fish catch estimated at 1.7
million metric tons in 1987
Economic aid:
Communist countries, $1.4 billion a year in the 1980s
Currency:
1 North Korean won (Wn) = 100 chon
Exchange rates:
North Korean won (Wn) per US$1 - 2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1
(January 1990), 2.3 (December 1989), 2.13 (December 1988), 0.94 (March 1987)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

*Korea, North, Communications

Railroads:
4,915 km total; 4,250 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 665 km 0.762-meter
narrow gauge; 159 km double track; 3,084 km electrified; government owned
(1989)
Highways:
about 30,000 km (1991); 92.5% gravel, crushed stone, or earth surface; 7.5%
paved
Inland waterways:
2,253 km; mostly navigable by small craft only
Pipelines:
crude oil 37 km
Ports:
primary - Ch'ongjin, Hungnam (Hamhung), Najin, Namp'o, Wonsan; secondary -
Haeju, Kimchaek, Kosong, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang
Merchant marine:
80 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 675,666 GRT/1,057,815 DWT; includes 1
passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 67 cargo, 2 oil tanker,
5 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 1 container
Airports:
total:
55
usable :
55 (est.)
with permanent-surface runways:
about 30
with runways over 3,659 m: fewer than 5
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
20
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
30
Telecommunications:
broadcast stations - 18 AM, no FM, 11 TV; 300,000 TV sets (1989); 3,500,000
radio receivers; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Korea, North, Defense Forces

Branches:
Korean People's Army (including the Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil Security
Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 6,567,684; fit for military service 3,996,893; reach
military age (18) annually 208,132 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - about $5 billion, 20-25% of GNP (1991 est.); note
- the officially announced but suspect figure is $1.9 billion (1991) 8% of
GNP (1991 est.)

*Korea, South, Geography

Location: Northeast Asia, between North Korea and Japan Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 98,480 km2 land area: 98,190 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Indiana Land boundaries: total 238 km, North Korea 238 km Coastline: 2,413 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm; 3 nm in the Korea Strait International disputes: Demarcation Line with North Korea; Liancourt Rocks claimed by Japan Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 67% other: 10% Irrigated land: 13,530 km2 (1989) Environment: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; earthquakes in southwest; air pollution in large cities

*Korea, South, People

Population:
44,613,993 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.05% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
15.72 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
6.16 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
22.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.29 years
male:
67.1 years
female:
73.68 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.64 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Korean(s)
adjective:
Korean
Ethnic divisions:
homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Religions:
Christianity 48.6%, Buddhism 47.4%, Confucianism 3%, pervasive folk religion
(Shamanism), Chondogyo (religion of the heavenly way) 0.2%
Languages:
Korean, English widely taught in high school
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
96%
male:
99%
female:
94%
Labor force:
19 million
by occupation:
services and other 52%, mining and manufacturing 27%, agriculture, fishing,
forestry 21% (1991)

*Korea, South, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Korea
conventional short form:
South Korea
local long form:
Taehan-min'guk
local short form:
none
Abbreviation:
ROK
Digraph:
KS
Type:
republic
Capital:
Seoul
Administrative divisions:
9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 6 special cities* (jikhalsi,, singular and plural);
Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo,
Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo, Inch'on-jikhalsi*, Kangwon-do,, Kwangju-jikhalsi*,,
Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo,
Pusan-jikhalsi*, Soul-t'ukpyolsi*, Taegu-jikhalsi*, Taejon-jikhalsi*, Independence:
15 August 1948
Constitution:
25 February 1988
Legal system:
combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American
law, and Chinese classical thought
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 August (1948)
Political parties and leaders:
majority party:
Democratic Liberal Party (DLP), KIM Young Sam, president
opposition:
Democratic Party (DP), LEE Ki Taek, executive chairman; United People's
Party (UPP), CHUNG Ju Yung, chairman; several smaller parties
note:
the DLP resulted from a merger of the Democratic Justice Party (DJP),
Reunification Democratic Party (RDP), and New Democratic Republican Party
(NDRP) on 9 February 1990
Other political or pressure groups:
Korean National Council of Churches; National Democratic Alliance of Korea;
National Federation of Student Associations; National Federation of Farmers'
Associations; National Council of Labor Unions; Federation of Korean Trade
Unions; Korean Veterans' Association; Federation of Korean Industries;
Korean Traders Association
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held on 18 December 1992 (next to be held NA December 1997); results -
KIM Young Sam (DLP) 41.9%, KIM Dae Jung (DP) 33.8%, CHUNG Ju Yung (UPP)
16.3%, other 8%

*Korea, South, Government

National Assembly:
last held on 24 March 1992; results - DLP 38.5%, DP 29.2%, Unification
National Party (UNP) 17.3% (name later changed to UPP), other 15%; seats -
(299 total) DLP 149, DP 97, UNP 31, other 22; the distribution of seats as
of May 1993 was DLP 167, DP 95, UPP 14, other 23
note:
the change in the distribution of seats reflects the fluidity of the current
situation where party members are constantly switching from one party to
another
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, State Council
(cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Kuk Hoe)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President KIM Young Sam (since 25 February 1993)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister HWANG In Sung (since 25 February 1993); Deputy Prime Minister
LEE Kyung Shick (since 25 February 1993) and Deputy Prime Minister HAN Wan
Sang (since 25 February 1993)
Member of:
AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC, COCOM (cooperating country), CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO,
G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, OAS (observer), UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador HAN Seung Soo
chancery:
2370 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 939-5600
consulates general: Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles,
New York, San Francisco, and Seattle
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant), Charge d'Affaires Raymond BURGHARDT
embassy:
82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul, AMEMB, Unit 15550
mailing address:
APO AP 96205-0001
telephone:
[82] (2) 732-2601 through 2618
FAX:
[82] (2) 738-8845
consulate:
Pusan
Flag:
white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a
different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each
corner of the white field

*Korea, South, Economy

Overview:
The driving force behind the economy's dynamic growth has been the planned
development of an export-oriented economy in a vigorously entrepreneurial
society. Real GNP increased more than 10% annually between 1986 and 1991.
This growth ultimately led to an overheated situation characterized by a
tight labor market, strong inflationary pressures, and a rapidly rising
current account deficit. As a result, in 1992, focusing attention on slowing
the growth rate of inflation and reducing the deficit is leading to a
slow-down in growth. The economy remains the envy of the great majority of
the world's peoples.
National product:
GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $287 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$6,500 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.4% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $48.4 billion; expenditures $48.4 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1993)
Exports:
$76.8 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
textiles, clothing, electronic and electrical equipment, footwear,
machinery, steel, automobiles, ships, fish
partners:
US 24%, Japan 15% (1992)
Imports:
$81.7 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport
equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains
partners:
Japan 24%, US 22% (1992)
External debt:
$42 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5.0% (1992 est.); accounts for about 45% of GNP
Electricity:
24,000,000 kW capacity; 105,000 million kWh produced, 2,380 kWh per capita
(1992)
Industries:
textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing, chemicals, steel,
electronics, automobile production, shipbuilding
Agriculture:
accounts for 8% of GNP and employs 21% of work force (including fishing and
forestry); principal crops - rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit;
livestock and livestock products - cattle, hogs, chickens, milk, eggs;
self-sufficient in food, except for wheat; fish catch of 2.9 million metric
tons, seventh-largest in world
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.9 billion; non-US countries
(1970-89), $3.0 billion
Currency:
1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chon (theoretical)

*Korea, South, Economy

Exchange rates:
South Korean won (W) per US$1 - 791.99 (January 1993), 780.65 (1992), 733.35
(1991), 707.76 (1990), 671.46 (1989), 731.47 (1988)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

*Korea, South, Communications

Railroads:
3,091 km total (1991); 3,044 km 1.435 meter standard gauge, 47 km
0.610-meter narrow gauge, 847 km double track; 525 km electrified,
government owned
Highways:
63,201 km total (1991); 1,551 expressways, 12,190 km national highway,
49,460 km provincial and local roads
Inland waterways:
1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft
Pipelines:
petroleum products 455 km
Ports:
Pusan, Inchon, Kunsan, Mokpo, Ulsan
Merchant marine:
431 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,689,227 GRT/11,016,014 DWT;
includes 2 short-sea passenger, 138 cargo, 61 container, 11 refrigerated
cargo, 9 vehicle carrier, 45 oil tanker, 12 chemical tanker, 13 liquefied
gas, 2 combination ore/oil, 135 bulk, 2 combination bulk, 1 multifunction
large-load carrier
Airports:
total:
103
usable:
93
with permanent-surface runways:
59
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
22
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
18
Telecommunications:
excellent domestic and international services; 13,276,449 telephone
subscribers; broadcast stations - 79 AM, 46 FM, 256 TV (57 of 1 kW or
greater); satellite earth stations - 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian
Ocean INTELSAT

*Korea, South, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 13,286,969; fit for military service 8,542,640; reach
military age (18) annually 432,434 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $12.2 billion, 3.6% of GNP (1993 est.)

*Kuwait, Geography

Location:
Middle East, at the head of the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Map references:
Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
17,820 km2
land area:
17,820 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total 464 km, Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline:
499 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
in April 1991 Iraq officially accepted UN Security Council Resolution 687,
which demands that Iraq accept the inviolability of the boundary set forth
in its 1963 agreement with Kuwait, ending earlier claims to Bubiyan and
Warbah Islands, or to all of Kuwait; the 20 May 1993 final report of the UN
Iraq/Kuwait Boundary Demarcation Commission was welcomed by the Security
Council in Resolution 833 of 27 May 1993, which also reaffirmed that the
decisions of the commission on the boundary were final, bringing to a
completion the official demarcation of the Iraq-Kuwait boundary; Iraqi
officials still make public statements claiming Kuwait; ownership of Qaruh
and Umm al Maradim Islands disputed by Saudi Arabia
Climate:
dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain:
flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
8%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
92%
Irrigated land:
20 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities
provide most of water; air and water pollution; desertification
Note:
strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

*Kuwait, People

Population:
1,698,077 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
8.67% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
30.29 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
2.39 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
58.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
13.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population:
74.62 years
male:
72.47 years
female:
76.87 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.11 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Kuwaiti(s)
adjective:
Kuwaiti
Ethnic divisions:
Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religions:
Muslim 85% (Shi'a 30%, Sunni 45%, other 10%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and
other 15%
Languages:
Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
73%
male:
77%
female:
67%
Labor force:
566,000 (1986)
by occupation:
services 45.0%, construction 20.0%, trade 12.0%, manufacturing 8.6%, finance
and real estate 2.6%, agriculture 1.9%, power and water 1.7%, mining and
quarrying 1.4%
note:
70% of labor force was non-Kuwaiti (1986)

*Kuwait, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
State of Kuwait
conventional short form:
Kuwait
local long form:
Dawlat al Kuwayt
local short form:
Al Kuwayt
Digraph:
KU
Type:
nominal constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Kuwait
Administrative divisions:
5 governorates (mu'hafaz'at, singular - muh'afaz'ah); Al Ah'madi, Al Jahrah,
Al Kuwayt, 'Hawalli; Farwaniyah
Independence:
19 June 1961 (from UK)
Constitution:
16 November 1962 (some provisions suspended since 29 August 1962)
Legal system:
civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
National Day, 25 February
Political parties and leaders:
none
Other political or pressure groups:
40,000 Palestinian community; small, clandestine leftist and Shi'a
fundamentalist groups are active; several groups critical of government
policies are active
Suffrage:
adult males who resided in Kuwait before 1920 and their male descendants at
age 21
note:
out of all citizens, only 10% are eligible to vote and only 5% actually vote
Elections:
National Assembly:
dissolved 3 July 1986; new elections were held on 5 October 1992 with a
second election in the 14th and 16th constituencies scheduled for 15
February 1993
Executive branch:
amir, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Majlis al 'umma) dissolved 3 July 1986;
elections for new Assembly held 5 October 1992
Judicial branch:
High Court of Appeal
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Amir Shaykh JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 31 December 1977)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister and Crown Prince SA'D al-'Abdallah al-Salim al-Sabah (since 8
February 1978); Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah
(since 17 October 1992)

*Kuwait, Government

Member of:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Muhammad al-Sabah al-Salim al-SABAH
chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 966-0702
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edward (Skip) GNEHM, Jr.
embassy:
Bneid al-Gar (opposite the Kuwait International Hotel), Kuwait City
mailing address:
P.O. Box 77 SAFAT, 13001 SAFAT, Kuwait; APO AE 09880
telephone:
[965] 242-4151 through 4159
FAX:
[956] 244-2855
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black
trapezoid based on the hoist side

*Kuwait, Economy

Overview:
Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy with proven crude oil reserves
of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Kuwait is rebuilding
its war-ravaged petroleum sector and the increase in crude oil production to
nearly 2.0 million barrels per day by the end of 1992 led to an enormous
increase in GDP for the year. The government ran a cumulative fiscal deficit
of approximately $70 billion over its last two fiscal years, reducing its
foreign asset position and increasing its public debt to roughly $40
billion. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP and over 90% of export
and government revenue.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $15.3 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
80% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$11,100 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NEGL% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $7.1 billion; expenditures $10.5 billion, including capital
expenditures of $3.1 billion (FY88)
Exports:
$750 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
oil
partners:
France 16%, Italy 15%, Japan 12%, UK 11%
Imports:
$4.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
partners: US 35%, Japan 12%, UK 9%, Canada 9%
External debt:
$7.2 billion (December 1989 est.)
note:
external debt has grown substantially in 1991 and 1992 to pay for
restoration of war damage
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%; accounts for NA% of GDP
Electricity:
6,873,000 kW available out of 7,398,000 kW capacity due to Persian Gulf war;
12,264 million kWh produced, 8,890 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, building
materials, salt, construction
Agriculture:
practically none; dependent on imports for food; about 75% of potable water
must be distilled or imported
Economic aid:
donor - pledged $18.3 billion in bilateral aid to less developed countries
(1979-89)
Currency:
1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils
Exchange rates:
Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.3044 (January 1993), 0.2934 (1992), 0.2843
(1991), 0.2915 (1990), 0.2937 (1989), 0.2790 (1988)

*Kuwait, Economy

Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

*Kuwait, Communications

Railroads:
none
Highways:
3,900 km total; 3,000 km bituminous; 900 km earth, sand, light gravel
Pipelines:
crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km
Ports:
Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Mina' al 'Ahmadi
Merchant marine:
42 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 1,996,052 GRT/3,373,088 DWT; includes
7 cargo, 4 livestock carrier, 24 oil tanker, 4 liquefied gas, 3 container
Airports:
total:
7
usable:
4
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m: 0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
civil network suffered extensive damage as a result of Desert Storm and
reconstruction is still under way with some restored international and
domestic capabilities; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 0 FM, 3 TV; satellite
earth stations - destroyed during Persian Gulf War and not rebuilt yet;
temporary mobile satellite ground stations provide international
telecommunications; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia;
service to Iraq is nonoperational

*Kuwait, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 498,254; fit for military service 298,865; reach military
age (18) annually 14,459 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, 7.3% of GDP (FY92/93)

*Kyrgyzstan, Geography

Location:
South Asia, between China and Kazakhstan
Map references:
Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian States, Standard
Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
198,500 km2
land area:
191,300 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total 3,878 km, China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km,
Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southern boundary in Isfara Valley
area
Climate:
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in south (Fergana
Valley)
Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan rise to 7,000 meters, and associated valleys and basins
encompass entire nation
Natural resources:
small amounts of coal, natural gas, oil, nepheline, rare earth metals,
mercury, bismuth, gold, lead, zinc, hydroelectric power
Land use:
arable land:
NA%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
NA%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA%
Irrigated land:
10,320 km2 (1990)
Environment:
NA
Note:
landlocked

*Kyrgyzstan, People

Population:
4,625,954 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.56% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
26.69 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
7.45 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
47.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.71 years
male:
63.47 years
female:
72.15 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.39 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Kirghiz(s)
adjective:
Kirghiz
Ethnic divisions:
Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 21.5%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%,
other 8.3%
Religions:
Muslim 70%, Russian Orthodox NA%
Languages:
Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian
Literacy:
age 9-49 can read and write (1970)
total population:
100%
male:
100%
female:
100%
Labor force:
1.748 million
by occupation:
agriculture and forestry 33%, industry and construction 28%, other 39%
(1990)

*Kyrgyzstan, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Kyrgyzstan
conventional short form:
Kyrgyzstan
local long form:
Kyrgyzstan Respublikasy
local short form:
none
former:
Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Digraph:
KG
Type:
republic
Capital:
Bishkek (Frunze)
Administrative divisions:
6 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Chu, Jalal-Abad, Ysyk-Kul', Naryn,
Osh, Talas
Independence:
31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Constitution:
adopted 5 May 1993
Legal system:
based on civil law system
National holiday:
National Day, 2 December
Political parties and leaders:
Kyrgyz Democratic Movement, Kazat AKMAKOV, chairman; Civic Accord, Coalition
representing nonnative minority groups; National Revived Asaba (Banner)
Party, Asan ORMUSHEV, chairman; Communist Party was banned but has
registered as political party 18 September 1992
Other political or pressure groups: National Unity Democratic Movement; Peasant Party; Council of
Free Trade
Unions; Union of Entrepreneurs
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held 12 October 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Askar AKAYEV
won in uncontested election with 95% of vote with 90% of electorate voting;
note - president elected by Supreme Soviet 28 October 1990, then by popular
vote 12 October 1991
Zhogorku Keneshom:
last held 25 February 1990 for the Supreme Soviet (next to be held no later
than NA November 1994 for the Zhgorku Keneshom); results - Commnunists 90%;
seats - (350 total) Communists 310
Executive branch:
president, Cabinet of Ministers, prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Zhogorku Keneshom
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990); Vice President Feliks KULOV
(since 12 October 1992)

*Kyrgyzstan, Government

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Tursenbek CHYNGYSHEV (since 2 March 1992); Deputy Prime
Minister Abdygani ERKEBAYEV; Supreme Soviet Chairman Medetkan SHERIMKULOV
(since NA)
Member of:
CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECO, ESCAP, IBRD, IDA, ILO, IMF, NACC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Roza OTUNBAYEVA
chancery:
1511 K Street, NW, Washington, DC
telephone:
(202) 347-5029
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edward HURWITZ
embassy:
(temporary) Erkindik Prospekt #66, Bishkek
mailing address:
APO AE 09721
telephone:
7-3312 22-26-93, 22-35-51, 22-29-20
FAX:
7-3312 22-35-51
Flag:
red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40
Krygyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the
reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two
sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the
traditional Kyrgyz yurt

*Kyrgyzstan, Economy

Overview:
Kyrgyzstan's small economy (less than 1% of the total for the former Soviet
Union) is oriented toward agriculture, producing mainly livestock such as
goats and sheep, as well as cotton, grain, and tobacco. Industry,
concentrated around Bishkek, produces small quantities of electric motors,
livestock feeding equipment, washing machines, furniture, cement, paper, and
bricks. Mineral extraction is small, the most important minerals being coal,
rare earth metals and gold. Kyrgyzstan is a net importer of many types of
food and fuel but is a net exporter of electricity. In 1992, the Kirghiz
leadership made progress on reform, primarily by privatizing business,
granting life-long tenure to farmers, and freeing most prices. Nonetheless,
in 1992 overall industrial and livestock output declined because of acute
fuel shortages and a widespread lack of spare parts.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
-25% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
29% per month (first quarter 1993)
Unemployment rate:
0.1% includes officially registered unemployed; also large numbers of
underemployed workers
Budget:
revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
wool, chemicals, cotton, ferrous and nonferrous metals, shoes, machinery,
tobacco
partners:
Russia 70%, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and others
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery, textiles,
footwear
partners:
other CIS republics
External debt:
$650 million (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA% (1992)
Electricity:
4,100,000 kW capacity; 11,800 million kWh produced, 2,551 kWh per capita
(1992)
Industries:
small machinery, textiles, food-processing industries, cement, shoes, sawn
logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, and rare earth metals
Agriculture:
wool, tobacco, cotton, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle), vegetables, meat,
grapes, fruits and berries, eggs, milk, potatoes
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis and opium; mostly for CIS consumption; limited
government eradication program; used as transshipment point for illicit
drugs to Western Europel
Economic aid:
$300 million official and commitments by foreign donors (1992)

*Kyrgyzstan, Economy

Currency:
introduced national currency, the som (10 May 1993)
Exchange rates:
rubles per US$1 - 415 (24 December 1992) but subject to wide fluctuations
Fiscal year:
calendar year

*Kyrgyzstan, Communications

Railroads:
370 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)
Highways:
30,300 km total; 22,600 km paved or graveled, 7,700 km earth(1990)
Pipelines:
natural gas 200 km
Ports:
none; landlocked
Airports:
total:
52
useable:
27
with permanent-surface runways:
12
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
13
Telecommunications:
poorly developed; 56 telephones per 1000 persons (December 1990);
connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave and with other
countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch;
satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only); new
intelsat earth station provide TV receive-only capability for Turkish
broadcasts

*Kyrgyzstan, Defense Forces

Branches:
National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops), Civil Defense
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,093,694; fit for military service 890,961 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

*Laos, Geography

Location:
Southeast Asia, between Vietnam and Thailand
Map references:
Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
236,800 km2
land area:
230,800 km2
comparative area:
slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries:
total 5,083 km, Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754
km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
boundary dispute with Thailand
Climate:
tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to
April)
Terrain:
mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Natural resources:
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use:
arable land:
4%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
3%
forest and woodland:
58%
other:
35%
Irrigated land:
1,200 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
deforestation; soil erosion; subject to floods
Note:
landlocked

*Laos, People

Population: 4,569,327 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.86% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 43.82 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 15.22 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 104.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.18 years male: 49.67 years female: 52.77 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.16 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian Ethnic divisions: Lao 50%, Phoutheung (Kha) 15%, tribal Thai 20%, Meo, Hmong, Yao, and other 15% Religions: Buddhist 85%, animist and other 15% Languages: Lao (official), French, English Literacy: age 15-45 can read and write (1985) total population: 84% male: 92% female: 76% Labor force: 1-1.5 million by occupation: agriculture 85-90% (est.)

*Laos, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form:
Laos
local long form:
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form:
none
Digraph:
LA
Type:
Communist state
Capital:
Vientiane
Administrative divisions:
16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (kampheng, nakhon, singular and
plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamsai, Champasak,
Houaphan, Khammouan, Louang Namtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali,
Saravan, Savannakhet, Sekong, Vientiane, Vientiane*, Xaignabouri,, Xiangkhoang
Independence:
19 July 1949 (from France)
Constitution:
promulgated August 1991
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic
Republic)
Political parties and leaders:
Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president;
includes Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC); other parties moribund
Other political or pressure groups:
non-Communist political groups moribund; most leaders fled the country in
1975
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
Third National Assembly:
last held on 20 December 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (85 total) number of seats by party NA
Executive branch:
president, prime minister and two deputy prime ministers, Council of
Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
National Assembly
Judicial branch:
Supreme People's Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President NOUHAK Phoumsavan (since 25 November 1992)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 15 August 1991)
Member of:
ACCT (associate), AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO

*Laos, Government

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador HIEM Phommachanh chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 332-6416 or 6417 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles B. SALMON, Jr. embassy: Rue Bartholonie, Vientiane mailing address: B. P. 114, Vientiane, or AMEMB, Box V, APO AP 96546 telephone: (856) 2220, 2357, 2384 FAX: (856) 4675 Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

*Laos, Economy

Overview:
One of the world's poorest nations, Laos has had a Communist centrally
planned economy with government ownership and control of productive
enterprises of any size. In recent years, however, the government has been
decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise. Laos is a
landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure; that is, it has no
railroads, a rudimentary road system, limited external and internal
telecommunications, and electricity available in only a limited area.
Subsistence agriculture is the main occupation, accounting for over 60% of
GDP and providing about 85-90% of total employment. The predominant crop is
rice. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend for its
survival on foreign aid from the IMF and other international sources; aid
from the former USSR and Eastern Europe has been cut sharply.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $900 million (1991)
National product real growth rate:
4% (1991)
National product per capita:
$200 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
21% (1989 est.)
Budget:
revenues $83 million; expenditures $188.5 million, including capital
expenditures of $94 million (1990 est.)
Exports:
$72 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
electricity, wood products, coffee, tin
partners:
Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, USSR, US, China
Imports:
$238 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.)
commodities:
food, fuel oil, consumer goods, manufactures
partners:
Thailand, USSR, Japan, France, Vietnam, China
External debt:
$1.1 billion (1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 12% (1991 est.); accounts for about 18% of GDP (1991 est.)
Electricity:
226,000 kW capacity; 990 million kWh produced, 220 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing,
construction
Agriculture:
accounts for 60% of GDP and employs most of the work force; subsistence
farming predominates; normally self-sufficient in nondrought years;
principal crops - rice (80% of cultivated land), sweet potatoes, vegetables,
corn, coffee, sugarcane, cotton; livestock - buffaloes, hogs, cattle,
poultry
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis, opium poppy for the international drug trade,
third-largest opium producer

*Laos, Economy

Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $276 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $605 million;
Communist countries (1970-89), $995 million
Currency:
1 new kip (NK) = 100 at
Exchange rates:
new kips (NK) per US$1 - 710 (May 1992), 710 (December 1991), 700 (September
1990), 576 (1989), 385 (1988), 200 (1987)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

*Laos, Communications

Railroads:
none
Highways:
about 27,527 km total; 1,856 km bituminous or bituminous treated; 7,451 km
gravel, crushed stone, or improved earth; 18,220 km unimproved earth and
often impassable during rainy season mid-May to mid-September
Inland waterways:
about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional
kilometers are sectionally navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m
Pipelines:
petroleum products 136 km
Ports:
none
Airports:
total:
54
usable:
41
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
15
Telecommunications:
service to general public practically non-existant; radio communications
network provides generally erratic service to government users; 7,390
telephones (1986); broadcast stations - 10 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 satellite
earth station

*Laos, Defense Forces

Branches:
Lao People's Army (LPA; including naval, aviation, and militia elements),
Air Force, National Police Department
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 980,274; fit for military service 528,450; reach military
age (18) annually 43,849 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP

*Latvia, Geography

Location:
Eastern Europe, bordering on the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Russia
Map references:
Arctic Region, Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area: 64,100 km2
land area:
64,100 km2
comparative area:
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total 1,078 km, Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217
km
Coastline:
531 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
the Abrene section of border ceded by the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
to Russia in 1944
Climate:
maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain:
low plain
Natural resources:
minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite
Land use:
arable land:
27%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
13%
forest and woodland:
39%
other:
21%
Irrigated land:
160 km2 (1990)
Environment:
heightened levels of air and water pollution because of a lack of waste
conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted;
contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products
at military bases

*Latvia, People

Population: 2,735,573 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.5% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 13.99 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 12.73 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 3.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.23 years male: 64.15 years female: 74.55 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian Ethnic divisions: Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Belarusian 4.5%, Ukrainian 3.4%, Polish 2.3%, other 4.2% Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Languages: Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 1.407 million by occupation: industry and construction 41%, agriculture and forestry 16%, other 43% (1990)

*Latvia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Latvia
conventional short form:
Latvia
local long form:
Latvijas Republika
local short form:
Latvija
former:
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Digraph:
LG
Type: republic
Capital:
Riga
Administrative divisions:
none (all districts are under direct republic jurisdiction)
Independence:
6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Constitution:
adopted NA May 1922, considering rewriting constitution
Legal system:
based on civil law system
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 November (1918)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Labor Party of Latvia, Juris BOJARS, chairman; Inter-Front of the
Working People of Latvia, Igor LOPATIN, chairman (Inter-Front was banned
after the coup); Latvian National Movement for Independence, Eduards
BERKLAVS, chairman; Latvian Democratic Party, Janis DINEVICS, chairman;
Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party, Uldis BERZINS, chairman; Latvian
People's Front, Uldis AUGST-KALNS, chairman; Latvian Liberal Party, Georg
LANSMANIS, chairman
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held October 1988 (next to be held NA); note - Anatolijs V. GORBUNOVS
elected by Supreme Soviet; elected to restyled post of Chairman of the
Supreme Council on 3 May 1990; new elections have not been scheduled
Supreme Council:
last held 18 March 1990 for the Supreme Soviet (next to be held 5-6 June
1993 for the Saeima); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (234
total) Latvian Communist Party 59, Latvian Democratic Workers Party 31,
Social Democratic Party of Latvia 4, Green Party of Latvia 7, Latvian
Farmers Union 7, Latvian Popular Front 126; note - the Supreme Council is an
interim 201-seats legislative body; a new parliament or Saiema to be elected
in June 1993
Congress of Latvia:
last held April 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (231 total) number of seats by party NA; note - the
Congress of Latvia is a quasi-governmental structure
Executive branch:
Chairman of Supreme Council (president), prime minister, cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Supreme Council

*Latvia, Government

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Chairman Supreme Council Anatolijs V. GORBUNOVS (since NA October 1988)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Ivars GODMANIS (since NA May 1990)
Member of:
CBSS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, ILO, IMF, IOM (observer), ITU,
NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ojars KALNINS
chancery:
4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone:
(202) 726-8213 and 8214
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ints M, SILINS;
embassy:
Raina Boulevard 7, Riga 226050
mailing address:
APO AE 09862
telephone:
0-11 [358] (49) 311-348 (cellular)
FAX:
[358] (49) 314-665 (cellular), (7) (01-32) 220-502
note:
dialing to the Baltics still requires use of an international operator,
unless you use the cellular phone lines
Flag:
two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom), white (middle, narrower
than other two bands)

*Latvia, Economy

Overview:
Latvia is in the process of reforming the centrally planned economy
inherited from the former USSR into a market economy. Prices have been
freed, and privatization of shops and farms has begun. Latvia lacks natural
resources, aside from its arable land and small forests. Its most valuable
economic asset is its work force, which is better educated and disciplined
than in most of the former Soviet republics. Industrial production is highly
diversified, with products ranging from agricultural machinery to consumer
electronics. One conspicuous vulnerability: Latvia produces only 10% of its
electric power needs. Latvia in the near term must retain key commercial
ties to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine while moving in the long run toward
joint ventures with technological support from, and trade ties to the West.
Because of the efficiency of its mostly individual farms, Latvians enjoy a
diet that is higher in meat, vegetables, and dairy products and lower in
grain and potatoes than diets in the 12 non-Baltic republics of the former
USSR. Good relations with Russia are threatened by animosity between ethnic
Russians (34% of the population) and native Latvians. The cumulative
difficulties in replacing old sources of supply and old markets, together
with the phasing out of the Russian ruble as the medium of exchange, help
account for the sharp 30% drop in GDP in 1992.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
-30% (1992)
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% per month (first quarter 1993)
Unemployment rate:
3.6% (March 1993); but large numbers of underemployed workers
Budget:
revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
NA
partners:
NA
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
NA
partners:
NA
External debt:
$650 million (1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -35% (1992 est.)
Electricity:
2,140,000 kW capacity; 5,800 million kWh produced, 2,125 kWh per capita
(1992)
Industries:
employs 33% of labor force; highly diversified; dependent on imports for
energy, raw materials, and intermediate products; produces buses, vans,
street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery,
fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals,
processed foods, textiles

*Latvia, Economy

Agriculture:
employs 16% of labor force; principally dairy farming and livestock feeding;
products - meat, milk, eggs, grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables;
fishing and fish packing
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to
Western Europe; limited producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic
consumption; also produces illicit amphetamines for export
Economic aid:
NA
Currency:
1 lat = 100 NA; introduced NA March 1993
Exchange rates:
lats per US$1 - 1.32 (March 1993)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

*Latvia, Communications

Railroads:
2,400 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)
Highways:
59,500 km total; 33,000 km hard surfaced 26,500 km earth (1990)
Inland waterways:
300 km perennially navigable
Pipelines:
crude oil 750 km, refined products 780 km, natural gas 560 km (1992)
Ports:
coastal - Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja; inland - Daugavpils
Merchant marine:
96 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 905,006 GRT/1,178,844 DWT; includes 14
cargo, 27 refrigerated cargo, 2 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 44 oil tanker
Airports:
total:
50
useable:
15
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
7
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
7
Telecommunications:
NMT-450 analog cellular network is operational covering Riga, Ventspils,
Daugavpils, Rezekne, and Valmiera; broadcast stations - NA; international
traffic carried by leased connection to the Moscow international gateway
switch and through new independent international automatic telephone
exchange in Riga and the Finnish cellular net

*Latvia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Security Forces (internal and border
troops), Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 648,273; fit for military service 511,297; reach military
age (18) annually 18,767 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
176 million rubles, 3-5% of GDP; note - conversion of the military budget
into US$ using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

*Lebanon, Header

Note:
Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions and
regaining its national sovereignty since the end of the devastating 16-year
civil war in October 1990. Under the Ta'if accord - the blueprint for
national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable
political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the
political process. Since December 1990, the Lebanese have formed three
cabinets and conducted the first legislative election in 20 years. Most of
the militias have been weakened or disbanded. The Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) has seized vast quantities of weapons used by the militias during the
war and extended central government authority over about one-half of the
country. Hizballah, the radical Sh'ia party, is the only significant group
that retains most of its weapons. Foreign forces still occupy areas of
Lebanon. Israel continues to support a proxy militia, The Army of South
Lebanon (ASL), along a narrow stretch of territory contiguous to its border.
The ASL's enclave encompasses this self-declared security zone and about 20
kilometers north to the strategic town of Jazzine. As of December 1992,
Syria maintained about 30,000 troops in Lebanon. These troops are based
mainly in Beirut, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Syria's deployment
was legitimized by the Arab League early in Lebanon's civil war and in the
Ta'if accord. Citing the continued weakness of the LAF, Beirut's requests,
and failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the
constitutional reforms in the Ta'if accord, Damascus has so far refused to
withdraw its troops from Beirut.

*Lebanon, Geography

Location:
Middle East, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Map references:
Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
10,400 km2
land area:
10,230 km2
comparative area:
about 0.8 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total 454 km, Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
Coastline:
225 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Israeli troops in southern
Lebanon since June 1982; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern
Lebanon since October 1976
Climate:
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon
mountians experience heavy winter snows
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa' (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and
Anti-Lebanon Mountains
Natural resources: limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region
Land use:
arable land:
21%
permanent crops:
9%
meadows and pastures:
1%
forest and woodland:
8%
other:
61%
Irrigated land:
860 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous
factional groups based on religion, clan, ethnicity; deforestation; soil
erosion; air and water pollution; desertification
Note:
Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international
boundary

*Lebanon, People

Population:
3,552,369 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.81% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
27.86 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
6.66 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
41 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
69.01 years
male:
66.63 years
female:
71.52 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.47 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Lebanese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Lebanese
Ethnic divisions:
Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
Religions:
Islam 70% (5 legally recognized Islamic groups - Alawite or Nusayri, Druze,
Isma'ilite, Shi'a, Sunni), Christian 30% (11 legally recognized Christian
groups - 4 Orthodox Christian, 6 Catholic, 1 Protestant), Judaism NEGL%
Languages:
Arabic (official), French (official), Armenian, English
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
80%
male:
88%
female:
73%
Labor force:
650,000
by occupation:
industry, commerce, and services 79%, agriculture 11%, government 10% (1985)

*Lebanon, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Lebanon
conventional short form:
Lebanon
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah
local short form:
none
Digraph:
LE
Type:
republic
Capital:
Beirut
Administrative divisions:
5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Biqa, 'Al Janub, Ash
Shamal, Bayrut, Jabal Lubnan
Independence:
22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French
administration)
Constitution:
26 May 1926 (amended)
Legal system:
mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no
judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
National holiday:
Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
Political parties and leaders:
political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines;
numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual political
figures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic
considerations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21
with elementary education
Elections:
National Assembly:
Lebanon's first legislative election in 20 years was held in the summer of
1992; the National Assembly is composed of 128 deputies, one-half Christian
and one-half Muslim; its mandate expires in 1996
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Cabinet; note - by custom, the president is a
Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of
the legislature is a Shi'a Muslim
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Arabic - Majlis Alnuwab, French - Assemblee
Nationale)
Judicial branch:
four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and
one court for criminal cases)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Ilyas HARAWI (since 24 November 1989)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI (since 22 October 1992)

*Lebanon, Government

Member of:
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,
LORCS, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Simon KARAM
chancery:
2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 939-6300
consulates general:
Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER
mailing embassy:
Antelias, Beirut
address:
P. O. Box 70-840, Beirut, or Box B, FPO AE 09836
telephone:
[961] 417774 or 415802, 415803, 402200, 403300
Flag:
three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with a
green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band

*Lebanon, Economy

Overview:
Since 1975 civil war has seriously damaged Lebanon's economic
infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's
position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Following October
1990, however, a tentative peace has enabled the central government to begin
restoring control in Beirut, collect taxes, and regain access to key port
and government facilities. The battered economy has also been propped up by
a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scale
manufacturers. Family remittances, banking transactions, manufactured and
farm exports, the narcotics trade, and international emergency aid are main
sources of foreign exchange. In the relatively settled year of 1991,
industrial production, agricultural output, and exports showed substantial
gains. The further rebuilding of the war-ravaged country was delayed in 1992
because of an upturn in political wrangling. Hope for restoring economic
momentum in 1993 rests with the new, business-oriented Prime Minister
HARIRI.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $4.8 billion (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$1,400 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
100% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
35% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $533 million; expenditures $1.3 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)
Exports:
$490 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, precious and semiprecious metals
and jewelry, metals and metal products
partners:
Saudi Arabia 21%, Switzerland 9.5%, Jordan 6%, Kuwait 12%, US 5%
Imports:
$3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
Consumer goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products
partners:
Italy 14%, France 12%, US 6%, Turkey 5%, Saudi Arabia 3%
External debt:
$400 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
1,300,000 kW capacity; 3,413 million kWh produced, 990 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
banking, food processing, textiles, cement, oil refining, chemicals,
jewelry, some metal fabricating
Agriculture:
accounts for about one-third of GDP; principal products - citrus fruits,
vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp (hashish), sheep, goats; not
self-sufficient in grain

*Lebanon, Economy