Date: January 18, 2003
Fact Finding Commission Responds to Dr. Yang Dao's Visit to Laos
Washington D.C. (FFC) The Fact Finding Commission responded to Dr. Yang Dao's report of his trip to Laos as the guest of the LPDR government. In an open letter to Dr. Yang Dao the commission expressed its concern over his endorsement of normal trade relations with Laos while allegations of genocide against Hmong, Lao, Mien, and Khmu who fought in the U.S. Secret Army and their families go on without being addressed. Fact Finding Commission representative s Georgie Szendrey and Thua Va are scheduled to present the letter to Dr. Yang Dao at a forum in Washington D.C. Saturday evening. The letter to Yang Dao is as follows:
Fact Finding Commission
1566 Huntoon Street
Oroville, CA 95965
(530) 532-7514
January 16, 2003
Dear Dr. Yang Dao,
All of us who care about the people of Laos look forward to the day the beauty and natural resources of Laos are enjoyed to the fullest by all of its citizens. It is a land also rich in human resources, people with a rich cultural history, people who long to live in peace, look forward to a secure future.
However, all things are not well in Laos. We believe it is premature to consider normal trade relations with the current regime in Laos until certain injustices have been corrected. There will never be a prosperous Laos or a free people until corruption and the lack of human rights of the LPDR is dealt with.
At first thought the argument that economic development will bring
stability and an end to human rights violations sounds good. Much of the
international community believes foreign aid and economic development will have such a result. We believe that in reality that is not true. Human dignity is not the result of economic development. Quite the opposite. The United States is not a great nation because of its capitalist system. It is a great nation because at the core of its foundation is the belief all men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights. Money, properly used can be of great benefit. On the other hand, it is also money that corrupts. It is a strong moral fiber that builds. When people live with dignity and their leaders truly pursue peace and prosperity for all of its citizens then a nation stands on a firm foundation.
It is naïve to believe things will be well in Laos under the current regime. Look at the poor nations of the world such as Laos. Though they are rich in natural resources and receive aid from other nations they continue in poverty. Those in political power are the ones who have the wealth. Their power is sustained by keeping others in poverty. It is unlikely economic prosperity will come to Laos when taxes and economic aid go to line the pockets of many in power instead of going to the benefit of the country. It is of great concern that the homeland of the Laotians of this country is being given to Vietnam by a handful of corrupt politicians who are willing to sell it to them for their own personal gain?
We question the validity of the LPDR's offer of an amnesty program for the veterans of the U.S. Secret War and their families who have been driven into the mountains of Laos by the communists? In 1975 the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese vowed to exterminate "to the root" those Hmong, Lao, Mien, and Khmu who fought so valiantly against them during the conflict in Southeast Asia.
Because of their love of democracy and their loyalty to the United States they are branded criminals by the communist government of Laos. The Pathet Lao have chased and hunted these people. They have tortured, machine-gunned, bombed,
and used chemical weapons to kill men, women and children. How can they trust a government that has done such atrocities to them?
While you were in Laos many of these men, women, and children were killed in the Pha Sie Cliffs area of the Xaysombone Special zone. They are crying out to be rescued by a nation, which turned its back to them and those that left them
behind. Let us not abandon them. Let us work toward their safety and freedom.
We have attached some of the documentation of the genocide being
committed against Lao citizens by the Lao government with the assistance of the
North Vietnamese government. Please take time to study these documents.
We ask you to carefully examine what we have presented to you. We are eager to answer any questions you may have. In the same manner we sincerely hope
you questioned the motives of those who took you to Laos. Did they take you where they wanted you to go? Did they let you see what they wanted you to see? If all they say is true are they willing to allow the United Nations and international media to go into the mountains of Laos to examine the allegations we have made?
With your renewed relationship with the Lao government can you assist us in getting food, clothing and medical care to the twenty groups of Secret War veterans and their families that are trapped in the jungles. In addition can you also assist in stopping the bombing of these people and gaining their free passage out of Laos.
You carry a great responsibility . As the first Hmong to receive a doctorate
degree many Laotians around the world look to you for guidance and leadership. They depend on your knowledge and wisdom to give them direction in these matters. Please carefully consider all these matters before endorsing the veracity of the communist regime in Laos.
We need to work together toward a prosperous and democratic Laos,
but not at the expense of these people. We await your response.
Very truly yours,
______________ ______________ ____
Ger Vang, Commission Member
______________ ______________ ______
Georgie Szendrey, Commission Member
______________ ______________ ______
Ed Szendrey, Commission Member
On Friday Szendrey and Vang joined Dr. Pobzeb Vang, Excutive Director of Lao Human Rights Council of Wisconsin and Shua Cha, Chairman of the United Lao Movement for Democracy of Minnesota in meetings with U.S. Ambassador to Laos Douglas Hartwick and the staffs of several members of congress. A full report of those meetings will be released upon their return from Washington.
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