Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07VIENTIANE407
2007-05-16 08:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Vientiane
Cable title:  

VIENTIANE EAC MEETING - RENEWAL OF PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Tags:  ASEC PTER CASC LA 
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VZCZCXYZ0015
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVN #0407 1360848
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160848Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1222
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.
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