VIENTIANE EAC MEETING - RENEWAL OF PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000407 SIPDIS STATE FOR DS/IP/EAP STATE FOR CA/OCS/ACS/EAP (VAUSE) STATE FOR EAP/MLS (BESTIC) STATE FOR S/CT STATE FOR INR SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER CASC LA SUBJECT: VIENTIANE EAC MEETING - RENEWAL OF PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT REF: A) 18-07 160615Z FEB 07 (notal) B) VIENTIANE 134 C) 31-07 040545Z MAY 07 (notal) The contents of this telegram are SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED (SBU); please handle accordingly. 1.(SBU) On May 16, the EAC met to discuss whether to renew the February 23 Public Announcement for Laos, which expires on May 23. The EAC reviewed reports of security incidents in the Vang Vieng area that have taken place since February. ¶2. (SBU) Based on information contained in Ref C and reports of incidents in late March similar to those which were reported in February, the EAC unanimously decided to extend the Public Announcement for another three months. Post will also continue the travel restriction for personal travel of official personnel between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. Suggested text for the renewal of the Public Announcement is offered in paragraph 3. ¶3. (SBU) Begin proposed text: This Public Announcement is being issued to update American citizens about security concerns in northern Laos. Multiple sources report fighting between Lao Government forces and one or more unidentified groups and/or increased movements by Lao Government forces in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane Province beginning around February 7 and again in March and April. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement dated February 23, 2007 and expires on August 23, 2007. The U.S. Embassy in Laos continues to receive reports from multiple sources of fighting between Lao Government forces and one or more unidentified groups and of increased movements by Lao Government forces in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane Province beginning around February 7. Similar reports were received in March and April. The U.S. Embassy continues to urge U.S. citizens to exercise caution in and around the area of Vang Vieng and recommends against travel by any form of ground transportation north from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. U.S. Embassy personnel currently remain prohibited from undertaking personal travel by ground transportation north of Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, along Route 13 and contiguous roadways. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Laos, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, located at http://travel.state.gov. For further information, U.S. citizens may also contact the Department of State toll-free from within the United States and Canada at 1-888-407-4747, or outside the U.S. and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy is located at Thanon Bartholonie (near Tat Dam),in Vientiane; from the U.S., mail may be addressed to U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Box V, APO AP 96546; tel (856-21) 267-000; duty officer emergency cellular telephone (856-20) 550-2016; consular section fax number (856-21) 267-040; internet http://LAOS.USEMBASSY.GOV; e-mail: conslao@state.gov. End proposed text. HASLACH