CONSIDERING "MATERIAL SUPPORT" FOR THE HMONG; LIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000085 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS; EAP/FO (DAS JOHN); PRM/FO (DAS GREENE); BANGKOK FOR POL (SUTTON) AND REFCOORD (HONNOLD) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2017 TAGS: ASEC LA MOPS PGOV PREF PREL PTER SUBJECT: CONSIDERING "MATERIAL SUPPORT" FOR THE HMONG; LIST OF BOMBINGS AND ATTACKS IN LAOS REF: 05 VIENTIANE 0072 Classified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA M. HASLACH FOR REASONS 1.4 (B AND D) ¶1. (C) The issue of determining who provided "material support" in the case of the Lao Hmong is very complicated. Below (para 5),we provide the Embassy's list of bombings and other attacks in Laos during the past several years. In virtually all cases, the identities of the perpetrators are difficult to establish. One exception was the group of attacks in April and May 2004 claimed by the "Underground Government" and signed by "Viangsavan Vongvijit." Beyond that, all information indicates the 02/06/03 attack on a bus in northern Vientiane Province -- which killed two passing Swiss cyclists in addition to many other casualties -- was most likely carried out by members of the Yang Toua Thao group. The subsequent two attacks, because of geographic and timing proximity, were very likely also carried out by this group. ¶2. (C) However, the 01/13/05 attack on a police/military convoy was said to have been carried out by members of the "Chao Fa" movement; we lack evidence as to the exact membership of this movement. The perpetrators of virtually all other attacks are unknown. Observers believe that attacks in the major cities of Vientiane and Savannakhet have been most likely carried out by ethnic Lao/royalist supporters rather than the Hmong ethnic minority. Finally, note the last attack listed below, that of 11/14/05, in which a bomb was used in a family dispute; bombing has been used as a mechanism to settle business and personal disputes here, and it is difficult to determine which of the other attacks listed below may have been of a personal or business nature. ¶3. (C) In general, the Embassy believes that women, children, and the elderly should automatically be considered for waivers. In contrast, we believe any fighter from Yang Toua Thao,s group -- the group responsible for the 2003 bus attacks in northern Vientiane Province ) should not be eligible. Yang,s group is part of the &Neo Hom8 grouping originally led by Vang Pao. As noted above, more problematic would be to identify and exclude followers of the &Chao Fa8 movement responsible for the January 2005 attack on police, soldiers, and civilians in Houaphanh Province. The &Chao Fa8 movement is a Hmong semi-religious millenialist movement advocating a separate Hmong state (reftel). We do not have a specific group leader,s name. Of the other armed insurgent groups, that led by Moua Toua Ther is thought to be the largest ) although at this point probably with fewer than 200 fighters. Although armed ) and also part of Vang Pao,s &Neo Hom,8 we lack direct evidence of offensive actions which would preclude consideration of waivers for members of this relatively higher profile group. We also lack such evidence for the smaller groups led by Xia Pai Yang, Wa Meng Yang, and Valeng Li-Sinon (each estimated to have less than 100 fighters). So we would recommend the possibility of waivers be kept open for members of these groups. ¶4. (C) As far as the Embassy is aware, none of the 153 refugees being detained in Nong Khai are connected to any group which would preclude being granted a waiver. ¶5. (SBU) List of bombings, attacks, and other events affecting security in Laos in recent years (note all cable numbers are from year of incident): 03/30/00 - Grenade thrown at Kopchai Deu Restaurant in Vientiane injuring six foreign and two Lao customers. 11/15/01 ) Bomb explodes near customs processing area at the friendship bridge. 11 injuries, mainly Thai. 09/06/02 - Bomb explodes at Wat Simuang. Thrown into crowd at festival after suspects are chased by police from a Vietnamese trade fair at the cultural center. Several injuries. Two arrests. Vientiane 1028. 12/01/02 - Lao Police disarm three IED's in box addressed to Burmese Embassy at Vientiane post office located one block from US Embassy. Vientiane 1471 12/06/02 - Small IED explodes on street 150 yards behind US Embassy. No damage or known injuries. Lao authorities claim the bomb is gang related and that four arrests are made. Vientiane 1471 02/06/03 - 25 to 30 heavily armed persons ambush traffic on route 13 north of Vang Vieng resulting in 13 deaths (including one Chinese businessman and two Swiss nationals killed when cycling past) and 26 wounded. Vientiane 171, ¶186. Other shooting incidents on route 13 detailed in Vientiane 244, 289. Note: perpetrators apparently from Yang Toua Thao,s group 02/22/03 - bus attack near Vang Vieng; one wounded Note: perpetrators apparently from Yang Toua Thao,s group 04/20/03 - Insurgents ambush a bus carrying 69 people on route 13 south of Luang Prabang resulting in 12 deaths and 31 injuries. Vientiane 457. Note: perpetrators apparently from Yang Toua Thao,s group 06/06/03 - Several police are injured by a small explosive device dropped by a local man they are attempting to arrest for drunk driving in downtown Vientiane. 06/07/03 - Insurgents ambush a bus on route 7 in central Laos resulting in 6 deaths and several injuries. Vientiane 654. 07/17/03 - Bomb: Bus bombed 40km southeast of Vientiane. 5 Lao injured. 07/25/03 - Ambush: Truck ambushed by insurgents on Rte 13 between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. 2 Lao dead, several injuries. Vientiane 874. 08/04/03 - Bomb: Bus station at morning market 200 yards from the Embassy bombed. 16 Lao injured. Vientiane 882. 08/23/03 - Ambush: Several vehicles ambushed by insurgents in Houaphanh Province, Northern Laos. 5 Lao dead. Same insurgents attempt unsuccesfully to bomb the market in Houaphanh. Vientiane 955. 08/27/03 - Fighting in Houaphanh province between Lao army and Hmong insurgents. Numerous casualties on both sides reported. Entry into much of Houaphanh province restricted by GOL to foreign NGO personnel and tourists. Vientiane 1003. 10/19/03 - Small bomb explodes on street adjacent to Vientiane's main market. No injuries reported. Vientiane 1168 10/19/03 - Small bomb explodes in Savannakhet main market (southern Laos). Conflicting reports on casualties, likely no injuries. Vientiane 1189. 10/31/03 - Small bomb explodes at Lao victory monument in Vientiane. No injuries. Vientiane 1216. 11/02/03 - Small bomb explodes at Temple on the outskirts of Vientiane. Vandals or youth gangs suspected. No injuries. 02/04/04 - IED detonates near Lao Victory Monument 600 meters from Embassy. No injuries. Vientiane 131. Note: this and 02/06/04 bomb timed to coincide with ASEAN tourism conference in Vientiane 02/04/04 - Lao male arrested while attempting to place IED at the Vietnamese Embassy. IED diffused. Vientiane 131. 02/06/04 - IED detonates in Savannakhet market (Southern Laos). 4 Lao injured. Vientiane 135. 02/09/04 - German-based "Committee for Independence and Democracy in Laos" and its "underground government" ally take credit for previous week's attacks 04/02/04 - Bomb detonates under vehicle parked at restaurant three blocks from the US Embassy. No injuries. Vientiane 359. 05/02/04 - Bomb carried by Lao man detonates prematurely in front of the Samsenthai Hotel four blocks from the US Embassy. Suspect killed, no other casualties. Vientiane 455. 05/08/04 - Bomb detonates near Friendship Bridge border crossing during local festival in the area. Fifteen Lao injured and several vehicles damaged. Vientiane 495. 05/14/04 - "Underground Government" -- under signature of "Viangsavan Vongvijit" -- takes claim for series of bomb attacks: 04/13/04 2030 bomb in pickup truck in front of restaurant in Savannakhet 04/17/04 2000 bomb in bus in Savannakhet; 12 victims 05/02/04 2000 bomb at SaQ#!.WQheavy rains no persons in the park at the time, no casualties. RSO E-mail to DS/IP/EAP. 10/22/04 - U.S. Embassy and DOS warn anti-government elements may plan to bomb 11/25-30/04 ASEAN Summit 11/09/04 - Two bombs detonate near the entry to the Friendship Bridge which crosses to Thailand from Vientiane. No injuries or significant damage reported. Vientiane 1238. 11/24/04 - Two bombs reported diffused by Lao police at the Commercial Bank of Laos. Vientiane 1307. 11/25/04 - Two bombs detonate along the Ring road in front of a hospital. No injuries or significant damage. Vientiane ¶1302. 01/13/05 - Ambush: Police/Military convoy ambushed by Hmong separatists in Houaphanh province. Several deaths reported. Vientiane 72 Note: perpetrators apparently from "Chao Fa" Movement 11/14/05 - IED at private residence in Vientiane; one killed, one injured; apparently internal family dispute. Vientiane ¶1189. HASLACH