Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VIENTIANE266
2008-05-06 01:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Vientiane
Cable title:  

FOLLOWING UP ON THE ACTIVISTS FOR DEMOCRACY AND

Tags:  PHUM PREL LA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVN #0266 1270116
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 060116Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2004
UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000266

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FROM AMBASSADOR TO DRL A/S KRAMER;
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR EAP/MLS (BESTIC);
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR DRL/SEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL LA
SUBJECT: FOLLOWING UP ON THE ACTIVISTS FOR DEMOCRACY AND
DISSIDENTS OUTREACH REQUEST

REF: A. SECSTATE 44903

B. 07 STATE 108924

(SBU) Embassy Vientiane takes seriously the need to find ways
to move Laos, one of the world's five remaining Communist
countries, toward increased respect for human rights and
international standards of freedom. The Embassy works to
strengthen an emerging but very fragile civil society as this
country goes through a transition from its current leaders --
who date from the Indochina War period -- to the next
generation. Embassy staff members and I seek opportunities
to communicate with the very narrow range of human rights
advocates -- most of whom are based abroad -- on issues such
as religious freedom and the Lao Government's treatment of
its minorities, including the Hmong. Laos has no known
internal dissidents other than a very small number of
long-term political prisoners and the remnants of the Hmong
insurgency. We know of no dissidents from other countries
living in exile or seeking asylum here.
HUSO