UPDATE ON HMONG REFUGEES AT NONG KHAI

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000816 SIPDIS SIPDIS GENEVA FOR RMA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2017 TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM TH LA SUBJECT: UPDATE ON HMONG REFUGEES AT NONG KHAI REF: A. SECSTATE 13095 ¶B. BANGKOK 596 ¶C. SECSTATE 10654 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN SUTTON, REASON 1.4 (B, D). ¶1. (C) There has been no RTG movement on the 153 Lao Hmong refugees currently in detention in Nong Khai after the refugees' own resistance and international opposition stopped their deportation to Laos on January 30. The RTG has not indicated whether it will allow those Hmong already approved for resettlement to third countries to depart nor has it informed the Embassy when access will be provided for U.S. resettlement processing. An MFA contact told Refcoord that the aborted deportation caused a considerable loss of face for those Thai agenices who supported it and also caused a bilateral problem with the Lao government. ¶2. (C) MFA is taking the lead in trying to smooth things over both within the RTG and with the Lao. An MFA contact told Refcoord on February 9 that a Thai interagency meeting has been called for February 14 to discuss next steps. In the meantime, Thai security agencies are asking for a written confirmation of interim Thai Prime Minister Surayud's public statement that the refugees would be permitted to resettle to third countries. MFA is now seeking that written statement from the Prime Minister's Office. ¶3. (C) Press reports over the past week stated that the Lao Foreign Ministry spokesman is still publicly calling for Thailand to live up to its agreement to deport the Hmong regardless of interference from other parties. Nevertheless, the MFA contact said that the MFA has gotten private indications from some Lao government contacts, including the Lao Prime Minister when he passed through Bangkok last weekend, that Laos will not object in the end to resettlement. ¶4. (C) UNHCR informed Refcoord on February 9 that the Netherlands has accepted 22 of the Lao Hmong for resettlement on a "portfolio" basis, that is, without requiring an interview. The Netherlands will now be moving ahead with its final resettlement processing steps. UNHCR will inform the RTG of the Netherlands approval. UNHCR is following up with Australia on when it will be able to move the cases it has already approved. Refcoord reiterated to MFA contact on February 9 that the Embassy was ready to send refugee processing staff to Nong Khai quickly once the RTG gives approval. ¶5. (C) UNHCR reported that the Thai have given permission to the Jesuit Refugee Service to provide food and medical care three days per week to the Hmong. A UNHCR Thai staff person has been present in Nong Khai over the past week and will stay there at least until February 13. Despite reports that the Thai authorities in Nong Khai had confiscated the Hmong refugees' cell phones, some of the refugees still are able to call out on cell phones from the detention center. ¶6. (C) UNHCR is preparing and will soon distribute to interested countries a preliminary paper that will outline possible elements of an overall solution to the issue of the Petchaboon Hmong. Embassy will forward the paper to the Department when it is received. UNHCR Regional Representative Utkan told Refcoord that the High Commissioner will raise the Petchaboon Hmong issue during his upcoming visit to Washington. BOYCE