Thai troops deport 4,000 Hmong to Laos

[unhappycamper]

Thai troops deport 4,000 Hmong to Laos
By JERRY HARMER
Associated Press Writer
Dec 28, 11:49 PM EST

PHETCHABUN, Thailand (AP) -- Thai troops packed more than 4,000 ethnic Hmong into military trucks for a one-way journey to Laos, all but ending the Hmong's three-decade search for asylum following their alliance with the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

The United States and rights groups have said the Hmong could be in danger if returned to the country that they fought, unsuccessfully, to keep from falling into communist hands in the 1970s.

The European Union said it was "deeply dismayed" by the forcible deportation and issued a statement that urged Laos to ensure the Hmongs' human rights are protected and international observers are granted "unfettered access" to them.

Though Thai soldiers were armed with batons and shields Monday, Col. Thana Charuwat said no weapons were used in the repatriation and the Hmong offered no resistance. The last of the group crossed the border early Tuesday.

Many Hmong, an ethnic minority from Laos' rugged mountains, fought under CIA advisers during Vietnam to back a pro-American Lao government - Washington's so-called "secret war" - before the communist victory in 1975.


Rest of Stripes article at: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_THAILAND_HMONG?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[lazer47]

1. I am torn on this one,, First they should be within their own culture

at the same time the U.S. owes these people a great deal,,,,

[unhappycamper]

2. Indeed we do.

The Hmoung were our primary supporters in the Central Highlands.

[lazer47]

3. They had no uniforms, no rank structure,

and were some of the most fierce coordinated troops I have ever seen. Most of all Loyalty beyond measure