[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT OF THE HMONG PEOPLE IN THAILAND

                                 ______


                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 1994

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I would like to include in the 
Congressional Record an important letter to the Government of Thailand 
about the Hmong people of Laos, their leader Gen. Vang Pao and Lao Gen. 
Thonglid Chokbenbun. Congressman Ben Gilman, Duncan Hunter, and myself 
have received deeply disturbing information concerning the plight of 
the Hmong people in Thailand.
  As a Vietnam veteran, I recognize the important role of Gen. Vang Pao 
and the Hmong people, and I am grateful for the sacrifices that they 
made for the United States and Thailand during the war years.
  Gen. Vang Pao continues to be the beacon of light for the Hmong 
people, for freedom, democracy, and human rights in Laos. I trust that 
this letter will continue to remind us of the situation that the Hmong 
face as well as bring a level of cooperation from the people of 
Thailand.
                                                   March 31, 1994.
     His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej,
     The Grand Palace, Na Phra Lan Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
       Your Majesty: As Members of the U.S. Congress and friends 
     of Thailand, we ask for your support and assistance on a 
     matter of significant importance to us. We are very concerned 
     with recent reports in the Bangkok press about some senior 
     leaders in the Thai military taking action--and asking the 
     United States government to take action--against General Vang 
     Pao and his Hmong people as well as General Thonglid 
     Chokbenbun.
       As you know, in the secret Laotian theatre of the Vietnam 
     war, the Hmong people suffered very large casualties and paid 
     a very terrible price for their support of crucial Thai and 
     United States' covert military operations. During the course 
     of that war Thai and American military advisors died with the 
     Hmong--under the leadership of General Vang Pao--who fought 
     to block the North Vietnamese army from advances into Laos 
     and Thailand. To this day, the Hmong people continue to 
     suffer greatly for their loyalty to Thailand and the United 
     States during the war and its aftermath.
       We have been, therefore, shocked to learn that some Thai 
     military officials were acting against--and seeking the U.S. 
     State Department's help to act against--America's long-time 
     allies from Laos who continue to seek to bring democracy, 
     freedom and human rights to their people.
       Your Majesty, we respectfully ask you and the Queen to 
     intervene personally and discuss this matter with these Thai 
     military officials--as well as other senior Royal Thai 
     political and military leaders--so that they are aware of the 
     importance many in the United States Congress still place on 
     our long-time Hmong and Lao allies. So that it does not 
     become the policy of the Royal Government of Thailand at any 
     time, we request you to communicate to these Thai officials 
     and to the people of Thailand our strong opposition to the 
     recent action by some in the Thai military against General 
     Vang Pao, General Thonglid Chokbenbun and other freedom-
     loving Hmong and Lao people.
       Thank you for your assistance with this matter; we await 
     your response.
           Sincerely,
     Ben Gilman.
     Duncan Hunter.
     Randy Cunningham.

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