U.S. Rep. Green Is on the LPDR!

Green wants answers from Laos on abuses

By Mike Hoeft
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

GREEN BAY - Local Hmong leaders say time is running out to help the
Hmong minority in Laos facing persecution by Lao government forces.


If the United States or United Nations does not help quickly, "they
will all be killed," said Vaughn Vang, director of the Lao Human Rights
Council in Green Bay.


The council asked the U.S. government to pressure Laos to end the
genocide or help escort the Hmong out of the country.


Vang and other Hmong from across Wisconsin have met with U.S. Rep. Mark
Green, R-Hobart, to ask for federal help.


"He said he'd help any way he can," Vang said.


Green's office is working on two efforts: urging Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice to push for answers from Laos and requesting the House
Committee on International Relations to hold a hearing on the issue.


"We're trying to spread the word," Green spokesman Chris Tuttle said.
"Laos has a history of human rights abuses."


An obstacle is verifying reports of atrocities, Tuttle said. Laos has
refused U.N. efforts to investigate. Without independent verification
of abuses, it's difficult to get Congress to act.


Yet, reports from foreign journalists and phone contact with Hmong
villagers indicate a pattern of abuse likely is continuing, Tuttle
said.


Green's letter, co-signed by six other members of Congress, said Voice
of America recently reported that Hmong refugees in the Saysomboun area
are in a "desperate situation" because of continuous persecution by Lao
government forces.


Vang said Hmong leaders in Green Bay are in contact daily with refugees
by satellite phone

.

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