Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANGKOK816
2007-02-09 07:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

UPDATE ON HMONG REFUGEES AT NONG KHAI

Tags:  PREF PREL PHUM TH LA 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #0816 0400719
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 090719Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4682
INFO RUEHVN/AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 3193
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1772
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).

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