Kingman Reef
The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon
served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa
flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on
the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant
and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding
the reef out to 12 NM around the reef were designated a US National
Wildlife Refuge.
Kiribati
The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in
1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of
Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited
Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with
Kiribati.
Korea, North
Following World War II, Korea was split, with the
northern half coming under Communist domination and the southern
portion becoming Western-oriented. KIM Chong-il has ruled North
Korea since his father and the country's founder, president KIM
Il-song, died in 1994. After decades of mismanagement, the North
relies heavily on international food aid to feed its population
while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army of about 1
million. North Korea's long-range missile development and research
into nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and massive
conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international
community. In December 2002, North Korea repudiated a 1994 agreement
that shut down its nuclear reactors and expelled UN monitors,
further raising fears it would produce nuclear weapons.
Korea, South
After World War II, a republic was set up in the
southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style
government was installed in the north. During the Korean War
(1950-1953), US and other UN forces intervened to defend South Korea
from North Korean attacks supported by the Chinese. An armistice was
signed in 1953, splitting the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone
at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid
economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 20 times
the level of North Korea. South Korea has maintained its commitment
to democratize its political processes. In June 2000, a historic
first North-South summit took place between the South's President
KIM Dae-jung and the North's leader KIM Chong-il.
Kuwait
Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling
Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961.
Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following
several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a
ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four
days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure
damaged during 1990-91.
Kyrgyzstan
A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and
proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864;
it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current
concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises,
expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic
relations, and combating terrorism.
Laos
In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the
government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties
to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to
private enterprise, a liberalization of foreign investment laws, and
the admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Latvia
After a brief period of independence between the two World
Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its
independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the
Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to
Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual
integration into various Western European political and economic
institutions and was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002.
Lebanon
Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political
institutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 16-year civil
war. 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 while institutionalizing sectarian divisions
in the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have
conducted several successful elections, most of the militias have
been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have
extended central government authority over about two-thirds of the
country. Hizballah, the radical Shi'a party, retains its weapons.
Syria maintains about 16,000 troops in Lebanon, based mainly east of
Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Syria's troop deployment was
legitimized by the Arab League during Lebanon's civil war and in the
Ta'if Accord. Damascus justifies its continued military presence in
Lebanon by citing Beirut's requests and the failure of the Lebanese
Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the
Ta'if Accord. Israel's withdrawal from its security zone in southern
Lebanon in May 2000, however, has emboldened some Lebanese
Christians and Druze to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as
well.
Lesotho
Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon
independence from the UK in 1966. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in
1990. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 23 years
of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny
following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody South
African military intervention. Constitutional reforms have since
restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections were
held in 2002.