HMONG REFUGEE DEMARCHE RESPONSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000270 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2016 TAGS: PREF TH LA SUBJECT: HMONG REFUGEE DEMARCHE RESPONSES REF: 06 STATE 202867 Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Post has drawn on reftel demarche to press RTG officials on the pending Hmong deportations. Post has raised these concerns regularly with MFA and security force officials involved in this issue, and continues to do so. In addition, following the receipt of reftel, Charge d'Affaires wrote to the Secretary-General of the National Security Council, which has the lead on refugee issues, outlining our concerns. Although we have received no formal response, there are indications that the RTG may be prepared to let the 152 Hmong awaiting deportion to Laos go to other resettlement countries. The Australians already have RTG permission to interview Hmong that UNHCR has refered to them for resettlement, and we will be requesting permission next week. ¶2. (C) Ambassador also discussed the problem with Gen. Winai Phattiyakul on January 10. Winai, as head of the NSC until late last year, had been helpful on many refugee issues. (He is currently a member of the council of top military and security force officials who launched the September coup and who continue to hold significant authority under the terms of the interim constitution.) Winai initially demurred, saying that he was no longer directly involved in refugee issues. The Ambassador reminded him that Thailand had not, in the past, refouled refugees who were recognized by UNHCR. Winai agreed that this had not happened before and took on board the Ambassador's exhortation that it should not happen now. Winai said he was aware that the relationship between the new NSC head and the UNHCR head was not good. Winai said that he would get in touch with UNHCR and would help to "work on the relationship." ¶3. (C) Comment: Although Winai no longer has a formal role in refugee issues, he has years of experience and had worked well with UNHCR and countries interested in refugee issues. His efforts to bridge the divide between the NSC and UNHCR are welcome. Even if the NSC and UNHCR are able to work together with less acrimony, however, it will still be very difficult for the RTG to accept a formal screening process of the Hmong, due to their fears that this would have a significant magnet effect drawing thousands more Hmong across the border. BOYCE