The Lao government is ready to let third countries accept Lao Hmong now living in Houaynamkhao village, Khaokhor district, Phetsabun province, Thailand , said a senior official yesterday.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Yong Chanthalangsy said after the 16 th meeting of the Lao-Thai and Thai-Lao General Border Committees (GBC) held from March 29-31 in Vientiane that if third countries wanted to enter into discussions with the Lao government, they could do so, but only after the Hmong have returned to Laos .
According to a statement delivered yesterday at a press conference by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Lieutenant General Douangchay Phichit, who chaired the meeting, the Thai government has reconfirmed it will repatriate all Lao Hmong in Thailand by the end of this year.
The reconfirmation is in line with the minutes of the 37 th meeting of Sub-General Border Committees held last year in Laos .
The Thai government has already completed the investigation process of the Hmong in Thailand and sent lists to the Lao government. The next group of Hmong is expected to be returned to Laos later this month.
Asked by the media about the involvement of third countries or international organisations delaying the repatriation process, Thai Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Samak Sundaravej, who co-chaired the meeting, said this was a matter solely for Laos and Thailand to address.
“If Laos and Thailand are in agreement, no one else needs to be involved. Neither of our governments has any negative feelings about the Hmong,” said Mr Samak.
Responding to media questions regarding the Lao government's policy on the repatriation of the Hmong, Lieutenant General Douangchay said the Party and government have a consistent policy.
He said the Lao government is ready to receive the Hmong and will also help them find a place to live, such as their former hometown.
But others may choose to live in resettlement areas arranged by the government, where their basic living needs are provided, including farmland and household items.
During the meeting, the two sides also reached a consensus to keep in place armed forces at three points bordering Champassak province, Laos , and Oubon Ratchathani province, Thailand . However, the soldiers and police officers who carry out regular patrols are absolutely banned from invading the territory of the neighbouring country.
Regarding security cooperation along the border, the two sides agreed to comply with the minutes of the 15 th GBC meeting, stating that they would take action to prevent all forms of movement by groups of bad elements bent on destroying Lao-Thai relations.
The two sides agreed to conduct border surveys and demarcation. Land demarcation is expected to be finished by 2008 and aquatic territory demarcation is set for completion by 2010.
Both sides reached consensus on the need for close cooperation in exchanging information to prevent and eradicate drug abuse. They agreed to follow the minutes of the 15 th GBC meeting in cooperating on solving international terrorism within Asean through the exchange of information.
yeah let them go, i heard they all they want is to leave the country but if they leave they shouldnt be allowed back if they want to leave it so badly, and if laos is such a horrible place for hmong people they shouldnt want to come back or have anything to do with it.
