UNODC REPORTS SECURITY SITUATION IN NORTHERN LAOS

S E C R E T VIENTIANE 000449

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS
STATE FOR INL/AAE
STATE FOR DS/IP/EAP
STATE FOR DS/IP/ITA (MOODY)
PACOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PTER SNAR ASEC LA
SUBJECT: UNODC REPORTS SECURITY SITUATION IN NORTHERN LAOS
WORSENING


Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES MARY GRACE MCGEEHAN FOR
REASON 1.4 (D)


1. (C) Summary: The United Nations Office for Drugs and
Crime (UNODC) Representative in Vientiane, Mr. Leik Boonwaat,
told NAS that, during his travel over the past few weeks, he
had observed indications that the overall security situation
in northern Laos was decaying. He said that a higher
security posture was clearly evident along roads in the
region, and that, in some cities, informal curfews were
being imposed. One of the specific locations Mr. Boonwaat
mentioned was within 70 kilometers of Vientiane, the national
capital. End Summary.


2. (C) On May 29, during a lunch meeting, Leik Boonwaat
asked the NAS about the May 24 Department Public Announcement
about security concerns in Northern Laos. He then went on to
share some observations he made during travel in northern
Laos of the past several weeks. He stated that, while
traveling to Udomxay and Phongsaly Provinces, he had noted a
much more visible military presence along roads and a greater
number of checkpoints. He also stated that, on at least one
occasion, local officials had posted an "informal" curfew
notice on the door of his guest house asking guests to remain
inside during specified hours of darkness.


3. (C) Mr. Boonwaat said that, during a retreat hosted by
UNODC in Thalat, Vientiane Province, approximately 25
security agents had been assigned for the protection of the
UNODC delegation and Lao officials who stayed there
overnight. He knew the number of security personnel because
he had been asked to help pay for their refreshments. Thalat
is a small town on the Nam Ngum River just below the Nam Ngum
hydroelectric dam, approximately 84.3 kilometers by road, but
less than 70 kilometers by air from Vientiane.


4. (S) NAS visited Udomxay briefly on May 19, but departed
the city after only a two hour stay, and did not have the
opportunity to observe any unusual security measures during
hours of darkness. UNODC's report of enhanced security at
Thalat is consistent with a NAS sighting of an armored
vehicle moving north from Vientiane in the direction of Vang
Vieng on the morning of April 4.


5. (C) Comment: Mr. Boonwaat is an Australian national
with extensive UN service in Southeast Asia, including
several years in Laos. His experience traveling in remote
areas lends considerable credibility to his observations
with regard to changes in the security posture of Lao
Government forces in the northern provinces.
MCGEEHAN