Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANGKOK270
2007-01-12 09:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

HMONG REFUGEE DEMARCHE RESPONSES

Tags:  PREF TH LA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6503
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHBK #0270 0120950
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 120950Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4049
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1752
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).

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