EAP/MLS DIRECTOR,S MEETING WITH MFA DIRECTOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000219

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2017
TAGS: PREL PREF CASC PHUM PGOV LA
SUBJECT: EAP/MLS DIRECTOR,S MEETING WITH MFA DIRECTOR
GENERAL

Classified By: Mary Grace McGeehan, Charge d'Affaires. Reason: 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Visiting EAP/MLS director Robert Rapson
met with Europe and Americas Director General Southam at the
foreign ministry. Both Rapson and Southam expressed general
satisfaction about improving U.S.-Lao ties, despite what
Southam characterized as ups and downs over the years.
Rapson suggested that both sides should be looking at
scheduling the the second meeting of the U.S.-Lao bilateral
dialogue, perhaps in Washington later this year in the summer
or fall. He expressed concern that the Thai and Lao
governments, in ongoing discussions regarding possible
relocation to Thailand of a group of 150 ethnic Hmong, are
not recognizing the group's right to pre-screening by UN
refugee officials. He appealed for consular access to an
American citizen who has been detained for several months.
Southam did not accept Rapson,s appeals to respect
international norms on refugees but agreed to try to
facilitate consular access to the detained American (which
had not been granted as of March 19). End summary.


2. (C) Visiting EAP/MLS Office Director Robert Rapson,
accompanied by DCM, called on Southam Sakonhninhom, Director
General for Europe and Americas at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA) on March 2. Southam described the relationship
between Laos and the U.S. as &up and down8 over time, but
essentially friendly. He said that his office often
intervenes with other ministries to advance
U.S. goals. This was the case, for instance, when the
Bilateral Trade Agreement was being negotiated. Rapson
expressed appreciation for this cooperation, and said that
the October 2006 bilateral dialogue represented important
progress in the relationship. In looking ahead to the next
session of the dialogue, Rapson suggested Washington as the
next venue, perhaps in the summer or fall. For the next
session, Rapson noted that it could be useful to have other
Lao ministries agencies join the MFA on the Lao side.
Southam said that the ministry would consider this proposal.

Hmong Issues
--------------


3. (C) Rapson noted that the Lao government had agreed to
receive over 150 ethnic Hmong people who had been residing at
the Petchabun refugee camp in Thailand. However, the Thai
government halted the deportation in response to
international concerns about their welfare should they be
returned to Laos. The group remains in Nong Khai, across the
Mekong River from Vientiane. Rapson said that international
norms require screening by the office of the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) when people have a possible
claim for refugee status, as this group does. Southam said
that the Lao and Thai governments had met and decided that
these people were not refugees. Rapson reiterated that it is
up to UNHCR to make this determination. He pressed Southam
and Lao government to improve access to and allow for
international monitoring of returned Hmongs as key to
international support for any repatriation arrangement
between Thailand and Laos.

Prisoner Access
--------------


4. (C) Rapson expressed concern about the Embassy,s lack
of access to American prisoner Yerlee Youngkue. The Embassy
first brought this case to MFA,s attention in a January 5
diplomatic note. Ambassador Haslach wrote a letter to Deputy
Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on March
1 requesting consular access. Rapson noted that the Vienna
Convention requires that countries grant prompt consular
access to detained foreign nationals. Southam said that
Britain has experienced similar problems and pledged to
assist in obtaining access to Mr. Yerlee. (Note: As of March
19, the Embassy had still not received permission to visit
Yerlee despite continued efforts. The Embassy sent a
follow-up diplomatic note on March 12. End note.)
MCGEEHAN