Submitted by COL (R) Bill Fortier, Dec 20, 2007 13:51

Thomas Fuller's article provided an excellent and informative look at the Hmong still hiding in the jungles of Laos for over 3 decades paying the price for fighting in America's "secret war" in laos from 1961 to 1975. It is estimated that the deaths of the Hmong Indigenous people have surpassed 230,000 since Lao PDR took power in 1975. The killing continues...here are the reports from the past two months: On October 12, 2007, Lao troops and Vietnamese mercenaries assaulted and killed two Hmong civilians, names are: 1. Vang Chong Lee, age 20, male 2. Pa Chia Vue, age 52, female On November 18, 2007, Lao military using B8 helicopters spraying chemical toxin, yellow rain at approximately 9:00 am causing dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea. On November 19, 2007, Lao troops and a band of Vietnamese mercenaries again assaulted and killed two Hmong civilians, names are: 1. Chao Lee, age 60, female 2. Ong Her, age 30, female On November 20, 2007, Lao troop and a band of Vietnamese mercenary using AK 47 killed one and wounded four people, names are: 1. Ger Lor, age 15, male (died from gun shot) Those that were wounded – 1. Ka Thao, age 14, male 2. Va Yang, age 16, male 3. Yeng Lor, age 17, male 4. Chue Lor, age 18, male Source: Hmong ChaoFa State This must be stopped. The world-wide community must speak up now! Those arrested were attempting to provide weapons for those in hiding to protect their family members...now you can see why!! This case is outrageous - General Vang Pao has been employed by the CIA for decades!! Why didn't they just talk to him...instead of arresting him and the rest! Why would America treat those who fought for us so badly? Do you think it might have something to do with the trade relations with Laos. Laos is up for membership in the World Trade Organization and they are providing unlimited resources to many other countries like Thailand, Vietnam and China! With General Vang Pao out of the way...the Communists can more freely deal with "cleaning up" the Hmong "problem" in the jungles! What I don't understand is how American Veterans stand by and watch our "Brothers-in-Arms" be punished for helping us fight to stem the spread of Communism in SE Asia! I call on all US Veterans (I spent 3 decades in the military) to protest these actions both in Laos and in the US. Write to the US Attorney, the State Department, Congress, the Media etc, etc. And tell every other Veteran that you know that it is time to speak up for treatment of the Hmong for helping the US. Remember what it felt like to come home from Vietnam and be spit on by our citizens...well, the Hmong have been fighting that War for DECADES! Meanwhile the US Government is spitting on the Hmong by arresting their leader, General Vang Pao, and those associated with him. Don't allow this treatment. Stand Up, Speak Up and help our fellow Veterans..."the US Secret War Veterans of Laos" and their family members.

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