[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 29791-29797]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS WITH RESPECT TO DEMOCRACY, FREE 
  ELECTIONS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 169) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives with respect to democracy, free elections, and human 
rights in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 169

       Whereas since the 1975 overthrow of the existing Royal Lao 
     Government, Laos has been under the sole control of the Lao 
     People's Revolutionary Party;
       Whereas the present Lao constitution provides for a wide 
     range of freedoms for the Lao people, including freedom of 
     speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion, and 
     Laos is a signatory to international conventions on genocide, 
     racial discrimination, discrimination against women, war 
     crimes, and rights of the child;
       Whereas since July 1997, Laos has been a member of the 
     Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an 
     organization which has set forth a vision for the year 2020 
     of a membership consisting of ``open societies . . . governed 
     with the consent and greater participation of the people'' 
     and ``focus(ed) on the welfare and dignity of the human 
     person and the good of the community'';
       Whereas, despite the Lao constitution and the membership by 
     Laos in ASEAN, the Department of State's Laos Country Report 
     on Human Rights Practices for 1998 states that the Lao 
     Government's human rights record deteriorated and that the 
     Lao Government restricts freedom of speech, assembly, 
     association, and religion;
       Whereas Amnesty International reports that serious problems 
     persist in the Lao Government's performance in the area of 
     human rights, including the continued detention of prisoners 
     of conscience in extremely harsh conditions, and that in one 
     case a prisoner of conscience held without trial since 1996 
     was chained and locked in wooden stocks for a period of 20 
     days;
       Whereas Thongsouk Saysangkhi, a political prisoner 
     sentenced to 14 years imprisonment in November 1992 after a 
     grossly unfair trial, died in February 1998 due to 
     complications of diabetes after having been detained in harsh 
     conditions with no medical facilities;
       Whereas there are at least 5 identified, long-term 
     political prisoners inside the Lao Government's prison system 
     and the possibility of others whose names are not known;
       Whereas there continue to be credible reports that some 
     members of the Lao Government's security forces commit human 
     rights abuses, including arbitrary detention and 
     intimidation;
       Whereas two United States citizens, Mr. Houa Ly, a resident 
     of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Mr. Michael Vang, a resident of 
     Fresno, California, were traveling along the border between 
     Laos and Thailand on April 19, 1999;
       Whereas the families of Messrs. Ly and Vang have been able 
     to learn very little from the United States Government 
     regarding the whereabouts or current circumstances of their 
     loved ones; and
       Whereas the Congress will not tolerate any unjustified 
     arrest, abduction, imprisonment, disappearance, or other act 
     of aggression against United States citizens by a foreign 
     government: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
     the present Government of Laos should--
       (A) respect internationally recognized norms of human 
     rights and the democratic freedoms of the people of Laos and 
     honor in full its commitments to those norms and freedoms as 
     embodied in its constitution and its participation in 
     international organizations and agreements;
       (B) issue a public statement specifically reaffirming its 
     commitment to protecting religious freedom and other basic 
     human rights;
       (C) institute fully a democratic electoral system, with 
     openly contested, free, and fair elections by secret ballot, 
     beginning no later than the next National Assembly elections, 
     currently scheduled to be held in 2002; and
       (D) allow unrestricted access by international human rights 
     monitors, including the International Committee of the Red 
     Cross and Amnesty International, to all prisons and to all 
     regions of the country to investigate alleged abuses of human 
     rights, including those against the Hmong minority; and
       (2) the House of Representatives--
       (A) decries the disappearance of Houa Ly and Michael Vang, 
     recognizing it as an incident worthy of congressional 
     attention;

[[Page 29792]]

       (B) urges the Lao Government to return Messrs. Ly and Vang, 
     or their remains, to United States authorities and their 
     families in America at once, if it is determined that the Lao 
     Government is responsible for the disappearance of Messrs. Ly 
     and Vang;
       (C) warns the Lao Government of the serious consequences, 
     including sanctions, of any unjustified arrest, abduction, 
     imprisonment, disappearance, or other act of aggression 
     against United States citizens; and
       (D) urges the Department of State and other appropriate 
     United States agencies to share the maximum amount of 
     information regarding the disappearance of Messrs. Ly and 
     Vang.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).

                              {time}  1430


                             General Leave

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 169.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Bereuter), chairman, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), 
ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on Asia and Pacific, for 
their excellent work on this resolution. Their tireless efforts on 
behalf of human rights, the rule of law, and democratic freedom are 
well known. The committee is especially grateful for the leadership of 
the gentleman from Nebraska (Chairman Bereuter) in this matter.
  I also wish to commend the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green), the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento), and the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Radanovich) for their work in support of this resolution. Without 
their efforts, the resolution would not have had the necessary support.
  This past summer, Senator Helms and I sent a staff delegation to 
Vientiane to speak with U.S. embassy staff regarding the disappearance 
of the two Hmong-Americans this past April on the border of Thailand 
and Laos.
  The embassy staff informed the Staffdel of their efforts to locate 
the men and that the government of Laos was doing all that it could to 
be helpful. They also told our delegation that, to date, there was no 
solid information with regard to the whereabouts of the men or the 
circumstances that led to their disappearance. In fact, embassy staff 
added that there was no record or report that the men had even crossed 
into Laos. When the Staffdel left the country, it received a different 
assessment of the situation.
  Given the current repression policies of the LPDR regime, it remains 
impossible to conduct secure research and meetings with dissidents or 
political opposition leaders inside Laos. It is impossible to receive 
information about conditions inside Laos from any sources that are not 
controlled by the government. There is no free press, and international 
human rights organizations are not permitted into the country.
  Mr. Speaker, two Americans are unaccounted for, and it is 
unacceptable that this government or this committee not do anything 
that is possible to get to the bottom of the issue and to punish those 
who are responsible. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 
support H. Res. 169.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. First of 
all, I would like to commend the distinguished gentleman from Minnesota 
(Mr. Vento) for taking the initiative in introducing this resolution. I 
also want to commend the gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman) and 
the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), ranking Democrat on the Committee on 
International Relations, for their support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, the human rights situation in Laos is deteriorating as 
we speak. According to Amnesty International, prisoners of conscience 
are held without trial for years, political prisoners die while in 
prison, and two Americans of Laotian extraction have disappeared.
  The people of Laos do not enjoy the most elementary principles and 
practices of human rights. The resolution before us expresses the view 
of this body that the government of Laos must begin to respect human 
rights, institute a democratic electoral process, allow unrestricted 
access by international human rights organizations to all political 
prisoners.
  I trust, Mr. Speaker, that passage of this resolution will raise the 
visibility internationally of the horrendous human rights situation in 
Laos and to encourage other countries to join us in challenging the 
government of Laos to behave in a civilized fashion.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 169.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to the distinguished gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), 
chairman of our Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 169, addressing concerns 
related to democracy, free election, and human rights in Laos.
  This resolution was introduced by the distinguished gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Vento). I appreciate the cooperation and support of the 
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the ranking 
member of the Asian and Pacific Subcommittee, and especially the 
assistance of the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), 
chairman of the Committee on International Relations, and the gentleman 
from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), ranking minority member, for their 
support for the members effort to secure a compromise during the 
committee mark-up. That was helpful to the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Lantos) and to me, and I know we both appreciate it.
  We did our best to craft a resolution that combined the essence and 
important elements of several resolutions.
  The people of Laos, especially Lao-Hmong, continue to experience 
gross violations of fundamental human rights at the hands of the 
Communist Lao regime. House Resolution 169 calls upon the Laotian 
government to respect international norms for the protection of human 
rights and democratic freedoms; issue a public statement reaffirming 
their commitment to protecting religious freedoms and basic human 
rights; fully institute a process of democracy with open, free, and 
fair elections; and allow access for international human rights 
monitors, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and 
Amnesty International to visit inside Lao prisons and to all regions 
within Laos to investigate allegations of human rights abuses. This 
Member, therefore, of course, urges approval of H. Res. 169.
  The resolution was amended in committee, Mr. Speaker, to address the 
understandable concerns and energetic efforts of the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Green), who have constituents who have been missing after traveling 
near the Laos-Thailand border. I especially commend these two Members. 
The amended resolution expresses concern for these Lao-Americans' 
welfare and asks the U.S. Government to provide additional information 
it may have to obtain the knowledge of the whereabouts of these two 
individuals.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the distinguished gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Gilman), chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the 
distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), the ranking 
Democrat, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green), the gentleman

[[Page 29793]]

from California (Mr. Radanovich), the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos), and others who have assisted this Member in working 
cooperatively on this revised resolution to send a strong message to 
the government of Laos. We are doing it in a resolution originally 
introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento) 
and I certainly commend him for his initiative.
  This Member urges adoption of H. Res. 169.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento), author of this resolution.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise, of course, in strong support of this resolution, 
H. Res. 169, which I introduced earlier, and has numerous sponsors, 
including the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Green), the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich), 
and the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
  I have really been gratified by the support and interest that the 
members of this committee, the Committee on International Relations, 
have demonstrated with regards to our concern in trying to represent 
our constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, there are about 250,000 Hmong-Americans now that reside 
in the various States of California, Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and 
throughout the Nation, but are concentrated in the areas of the authors 
of this resolution. But I must say that the response of the committee 
has been overwhelming and gratifying with regards to trying to respond 
to the justifiable concerns of these Hmong-Americans who have relatives 
and roots in southeast Asia.
  As my colleagues know, the Hmongs were allies of the United States 
during the war in Vietnam. When we left, they were left really without 
their major supporter. As Laos was overrun by the Communist leadership, 
they, of course, were very much at risk of persecution. They fled to 
various refugee camps and out of the country. Those that remained in, I 
think there was understandably great concern as to what their treatment 
has been and will be in the future.
  Of course, even now, as we are closing the last refugee camps in 
Thailand, many of them are choosing, obviously, to go home back to 
Laos, I think there are great concerns in the context of what is 
happening within their legal system, within their prisons, with the 
lack of human rights.
  Obviously, we have relied greatly on the U.N. High Commissioner on 
Refugees to monitor what is happening to refugees in the camps in 
Thailand and to what happens during resettlement. But they have really 
a very, very, very narrow focus. The fact of the matter is the 
international monitoring groups, whether it is Amnesty International or 
the Red Cross or many other objective sources, simply have no 
opportunity to go into Laos and to report what the treatment is of 
minorities such as the Hmong that have returned to Laos or have 
persisted in being there.
  The concern here, of course, results in mistreatment of prisoners, 
which is articulated in my detailed statement, where certainly the 
prisons and political prisoners that are present are being abused.
  The disappearance of, in fact, Hmong-Americans that were making 
inquiries that were on the border someplace between Laos and Thailand, 
and they have simply disappeared, and that has been for almost a half 
year now, and we still have not had cooperation from the Laotian 
government.
  Furthermore, of course, the repressive suppression of various 
protestors that have occurred in Laos, again which is articulated, and 
I have made the repeated statement that the administration and the 
small diplomatic force or corps that they have there simply have not 
received the type of cooperation so that they can make definitive 
judgments about what the conduct and circumstances of the people of 
Laos.
  Yet, of course, today Laos seeks freer trade with the United States, 
chooses or wants to be part of the family of Nations. But I think that 
this resolution and the concern that is being expressed by those of us 
that obviously represent Hmong-Americans and that represent, really, 
the values that we stand for are, I think, serving notice that we will 
not have normal trade relations; we will not have normal diplomatic 
relations until, in fact, they begin to conduct themselves in line with 
proximate values concerning human rights, free elections, 
nonpersecution, freedom in prisons.
  I think the best antiseptic for this problem, of course, is to have 
the internationally recognized groups as observers in this country.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Lao-Hmong community in my district of 
St. Paul, MN, across the Nation and inside of Laos, I rise in strong 
support of my Laos human rights resolution. I would like to thank 
Congressman Bereuter, Congressman Gejdenson, Congressman Lantos, and 
Chairman Gilman for their support throughout the committee process with 
the special assistance to improve the language and recognizing the 
importance of my resolution. By its action, the committee has placed 
Congress on record against the human rights abuses of the Lao 
Government. By focusing justifiably on the continued reports of abuses 
against the Lao-Hmong, H. Res. 169 is an important first step to bring 
international pressure on the Lao government to implement basic 
democratic reforms. I am pleased that H. Res. 169 has also been amended 
to incorporate significant recent events and important questions 
surrounding the disappearance of two Hmong-American citizens; Michael 
Vang and Houa Ly, whose daughter resides in my district in St. Paul, 
MN. On April 9, 1999, these two Hmong-Americans with United States 
passports and appropriate papers disappeared along the Thailand-Laos 
border. According to eyewitnesses, men thought to be Laotian security 
officials abducted Michael Vang and Houa Ly. The Lao Government 
continues to deny knowledge of the whereabouts of Mr. Vang and Mr. Ly 
or the role of government security forces in abducting them. 
Unfortunately, after 6 months of investigation, there are no answers to 
this incident. If Laos has nothing to hide, then they should allow 
complete access for capable and credible international human rights 
monitors inside of Laos to investigate the disappearances of Mr. Vang 
and Mr. Ly. In addition, the amended version demands the cooperation of 
the Laotian Government in the ongoing investigation of this matter. 
This matter was the specific focus of an ad-hoc hearing organized by 
the Congressional Human Rights Caucus in October. This important 
hearing highlighted the very serious nature of the disappearance, 
unanswered questions and lack of good faith cooperation from the 
Laotian Government. I have cosponsored this as a separate resolution 
recently and credit Rep. Green and Rep. Radanovich for their 
initiative.
  The Vento Resolution calls upon the government of Laos to hold free 
and open elections, respect basic human rights for the Lao people and 
provide access to international human right monitors to investigate 
alleged abuses of human rights, including abuses against the Lao-Hmong. 
Human rights abuses by the government of Laos continue to be an 
international concern. The people of Laos, especially the Lao-Hmong, 
continue to experience gross violations of fundamental human rights at 
the hands of the Communist Lao regime. In many cases this oppression 
amounts to retribution against the Lao-Hmong who fought alongside 
United States troops over 20 years ago. While our forces have long 
since pulled out of Southeast Asia, the plight and sacrifices of our 
loyal friends and allies inside of Laos must not be forgotten.
  Earlier this month, Thai news reports suggest that the Communist Lao 
Government arrested up to 31 people in late October for peacefully 
protesting against government failure to tackle mounting economic 
problems and demanding free elections. Not surprisingly, the Laotian 
Government denies such reports. Sources from the Bangkok newspaper the 
Nation reported that the protesters included students and teachers from 
the Dong Dok National University and the Vientiane High School. This 
clearly demonstrates anew that the Government of Laos has not committed 
itself to democratic reform and human rights, punctuating the 
importance of my resolution with this recent act.
  Although the Laotian Communist Government does not allow independent 
human rights observers in Laos, there are numerous credible reports of 
persecution and abuse of the Lao people. Lao-Hmong families are 
threatened daily by the Communist regime, and many Hmong are reported 
to have been

[[Page 29794]]

imprisoned, tortured, and even killed. According to the State 
Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998, the 
Laotian Government severely restricts the freedoms of speech, assembly 
and religion. Amnesty International also reports gross human rights 
violations including the detention of political prisoners and the 
treatment of such prisoners in a manner that is degrading, abusive, and 
inhumane. In February of last year, one political prisoner, Thongsouk 
Saysanghi, died in a remote prison camp in Laos. In addition, other 
political prisoners still remain in Laotian prisons. Amnesty 
International has made repeated appeals to the Lao authorities to 
improve the conditions of detention of the prisoners. These appeals 
have been ignored, resulting in the tragic death of Thongsouk. This 
demonstrates not only the Lao Government's complete lack of care for 
its political prisoners, but its contempt for the opinion of the 
international community.
  Specifically, my resolution calls upon the Laotian Government to 
respect international norms for the protection of human rights and 
democratic freedoms; issue a public statement reaffirming its 
commitment to protecting religious freedoms and basic human rights; 
fully institute a process of democracy with open, free, and fair 
elections; and allow access to international human rights monitors, 
including the International Committee of the Red Cross and Amnesty 
International, inside Lao prisons and to all regions within Laos to 
investigate allegations of human rights abuse, especially against the 
Lao-Hmong. Extreme sacrifices were made by the Lao-Hmong in the jungles 
and in the highlands, whether in uniform or in the common clothing of 
the laborer. Thousands of U.S. soldier's lives were spared because of 
the Lao-Hmong patriot's support and help as they fought alongside the 
United States forces in the Vietnam war. For their efforts, the Lao-
Hmong deserve our thanks, our refuge and shelter and certainly 
fundamental human rights, freedoms, and fair elections in Laos. This 
resolution is an important statement concerning the contemporary and 
unsatisfactory status of human rights in Laos today and is a further 
step toward promoting and implementing improved human rights standards 
and democracy in Laos. However, much more work needs to be done. We 
certainly have a moral obligation to the people of Laos to remain 
diligent in the effort to restore their human rights. I urge all my 
colleagues to support this important human rights resolution.
  So with that said, Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a document 
or letter that I received from the State Department which tries to go 
through a chronology of what has happened with regards to the 
investigations concerning the disappearance of these two Hmong-
Americans who have relatives in our communities, as follows:

                                     U.S. Department of State,

                                 Washington, DC, November 3, 1999.
     Hon. Bruce Vento,
     House of Representatives.
       Dear Mr. Vento: Thank you for your letter of October 13 to 
     Secretary Albright in which you inquire about the two missing 
     U.S. citizens believed to be in Laos.
       Let me assure you that the State Department is committed to 
     resolving this case, and that it is an issue of great 
     importance in our bilateral relationship with Laos. The 
     welfare of American citizens overseas is a highest priority 
     for us, and this case has received our full attention since 
     the disappearances were first reported in May.
       The FBI-led investigation is ongoing, and no conclusions 
     have yet been reached. Our missions in Laos and Thailand are 
     pursuing all credible leads in their efforts to resolve the 
     disappearance of these two U.S. citizens. The region in which 
     the men were last reported is marked by rugged terrain and 
     poor infrastructure. There have also been extended delays in 
     Lao government approvals of access to the area. Incomplete 
     and contradictory reports regarding their disappearance have 
     further complicated the investigation.
       At every opportunity, U.S. officials raise this case with 
     Lao officials to press for their cooperation in ascertaining 
     the whereabouts of these two U.S. citizens. We have not been 
     completely satisfied with the cooperation from the Lao 
     government, which has been slow to respond to our requests 
     for access to the area and has tried to place restrictions on 
     our investigators. Nevertheless, the Department of State and 
     the FBI believe that cooperation with the Lao is necessary to 
     conduct this investigation. Laos is a sovereign country, and 
     we need the Lao government's assistance to gain access to 
     certain areas and officials.
       Regarding the release of classified materials relevant to 
     this case, we have received a Freedom of Information Act 
     request from the Ly family via the office of Representative 
     Mark Green (R-WI). While the request involves various 
     agencies and hence may be time consuming, we are doing our 
     best to process it as expeditiously as possible. In the 
     meantime, we are enclosing a brief chronology outlining the 
     actions we have taken during the investigation of this case. 
     For more details on the investigation itself, we would refer 
     you to the FBI.
       Lastly, you may be interested to know that Ambassador 
     Chamberlin left Laos in June of this year and no longer 
     serves as our Ambassador there. A new Ambassador has not yet 
     been named.
       We hope that this information is useful to you. Please feel 
     free to contact us again if we may be of further assistance 
     on this or any other issue.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Barbara Larkin,
                          Assistant Secretary Legislative Affairs.
       Enclosure: Chronology of events.

        Chronology of Events--Missing American Citizens in Laos

                 May 1999--present, updated: 10/27/99a

       04 May 1999: Two individuals report to the American 
     Consulate in Chiang Mai, Thailand that two U.S. citizens 
     crossed into Laos at Ban Houayxay, Bokeo province, on April 
     19, 1999 an had not yet returned or had contact with their 
     families. U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai confirms the two 
     missing are U.S. citizens. This information is relayed to the 
     U.S. Embassy in Vientiane.
       05 May 1999: U.S. consular staff in Vientiane repeatedly 
     attempt to contact officials in Ban Houayxay and also ask Lao 
     immigration officials to obtain more information about the 
     two citizens.
       06 May 1999: U.S. consular staff in Vientiane and Chiang 
     Mai continue to investigate the case, as details remain 
     sketchy.
       07 May 1999: Embassy Vientiane sends an urgent diplomatic 
     note seeking consular access and an explanation of the 
     situation to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). A 
     meeting with Lao Ministry of Interior officials is held that 
     day; MFA officials schedule appointments for the next working 
     day, Monday, May 10.
       10 May 1999: U.S. Ambassador in Vientiane meets with 
     Minister to the President's Office to express strong USG 
     concern and again press for consular access. Concurrently, 
     U.S. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission meets with Lao MFA 
     officials, and U.S. consular officer meets with Lao officials 
     from the Consular Affairs Department to further underscore 
     the USG's need for a prompt reply. None of the inquiries 
     results in nay new information.
       12 May 1999: U.S. Ambassador meets with Deputy Foreign 
     Minister to press the Lao government strongly for an 
     investigation of the case. In Washington, D.C., State 
     Department desk officer for Laos meets with wives of the two 
     citizens as well as Dr. Pobzeb of the Lao Human Rights 
     Council. Pobzeb presents a copy of a letter sent to Congress 
     by the two men who first reported the disappearance, alleging 
     that the Laotian government has imprisoned one and killed the 
     other of the two missing U.S. citizens.
       13 May 1999: Embassy Vientiane receives copy of the same 
     letter and presents it to the MFA. Senators Feinstein, Boxer, 
     Kohl and Feingold send a letter about Vang and Ly to A/S for 
     Consular Affairs Mary Ryan.
       14 May 1999:
       Lao government officials report to the U.S. Embassy that it 
     has no record of entry for the two U.S. citizens into Laos.
       East Asia and Pacific Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary 
     calls in the Lao Ambassador to the U.S. to continue to press 
     our concerns and demand an immediate explanation and 
     investigation. He also notes Congressional interest in this 
     case. The Lao Ambassador cites the difficulty of 
     investigating the case because the two did not cross into 
     Laos at an international checkpoint.
       17 May 1999: Embassy Vientiane receives a copy of 
     Congressional letter to the Assistant Secretary for Consular 
     Affairs on this matter. U.S. Ambassador continues to raise 
     the case with Lao officials.
       18 May 1999: U.S. Ambassador in Vientiane calls on Lao Vice 
     Prime Minister to demand immediate consular access, 
     reiterating the Lao government's responsibility under the 
     Vienna Convention. Ambassador also states that the USG holds 
     the Lao government accountable for the two citizens.
       19 May 1999: Lao MFA officials inform Ambassador that the 
     Deputy Prime Minister ordered officials in Bokeo to conduct 
     an investigation. A letter about Ly and Vang is sent to the 
     Secretary from Representatives Gilman, Green, McKinney, Smith 
     and Kind.
       21 May 1999: State Department officials meet again with Dr. 
     Pobzeb of the Lao Human Rights Council about this case.
       22-23 May 1999: U.S. officials in Chiang Mai continue to 
     investigate the case.
       25 May 1999: U.S. officials in Vientiane inquire again with 
     Lao MFA officials about any progress on the case.
       26-27 May 1999: United States Government efforts to obtain 
     information about this case continue in Chiang Mai and 
     Vientiane.
       28 May 1999: Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Mary 
     Ryan calls in the Lao Ambassador to the United States to 
     emphasize the importance the United States places on the 
     safety and welfare of welfare of United States citizens 
     overseas and to express concern about the lack of 
     information. The Ambassador pledges his government's 
     cooperation, but provides no new information.
       31 May 1999: United States Ambassador in Vientiane meets 
     with Lao Prime Minister to

[[Page 29795]]

     underscore the importance of resolving this case.
       1-3 June 1999: U.S. investigation efforts continue.
       4 June 1999: Lao authorities inform Embassy in Vientiane 
     that they have determined that the two Americans did not 
     request visas to enter Laos, and based on their 
     investigation, there was no evidence about the Americans' 
     whereabouts in Laos, United States Ambassador proposes to Lao 
     Deputy Foreign Minister a joint United States-Lao 
     investigation of the case; United States Embassy in Vientiane 
     sends a follow up diplomatic note.
       7 June 1999: United States Ambassador in Vientiane requests 
     a meeting with Lao authorities to express dissatisfaction 
     with their investigation conclusions.
       8 June 1999: United States Ambassador in Vientiane meets 
     with MFA Permanent Secretary to object formally to the Lao 
     response on the welfare and whereabouts of Vang and Ly. 
     Ambassador also presses Lao to agree to a joint United 
     States-Lao investigation.
       10 June 1999: United States Ambassador calls on Lao Deputy 
     Prime Minister and Foreign Minister who indicates preliminary 
     support for a joint United States-Lao investigation of the 
     case. United States Ambassador urges Lao to make an official 
     reply.
       11 June 1999: United States officials in Vientiane postpone 
     plans for travel to Bokeo to wait and see if the Lao will 
     agree to a joint investigation.
       14 June 1999: Department of State officers from the East 
     Asia and Pacific Affairs Bureau brief Congressional staffers 
     (hosted by office of Representative Ron Kind) on status of 
     missing Amcits case.
       16 June 1999: Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs Europe and 
     Americas Department Acting Director General informs United 
     States charge that the Lao Government agrees to the United 
     States proposal to form a joint investigation team to look 
     into the case of the missing Americans. Lao representation on 
     the team is still being decided by the ministries concerned. 
     The United States side will most likely include our Legal 
     Attache or Assistant Legal Attache from Embassy Bangkok, plus 
     a consular officer, political officer and translator from 
     Vientiane.
       17-20 June 1999: Preparations for joint investigation get 
     underway.
       21 June 1999: Lao MFA Americas Department Director General 
     calls in United States Charge to deliver a diplomatic note 
     formally agreeing to the United States proposal for a joint, 
     cooperative investigative effort to resolve the case. He 
     requested a proposed plan of action and noted local 
     authorities would also need to be consulted.
       22 June 1999: United States Embassy in Vientiane draws up a 
     draft plan, which the joint team would use for the purpose of 
     planning and coordinating investigative efforts. Embassy 
     confers with the State Department on the draft plan.
       23 June 1999: United States Embassy in Vientiane receives 
     concurrence for the plan from the State Department. Embassy 
     officials present the draft plan to the Lao Government.
       24 June 1999: Lao MFA calls United States Embassy to 
     schedule a meeting for the joint investigative team. 
     Assistant Legal Attache from United States Embassy Bangkok 
     arrives in Vientiane.
       25 June 1999: United States-Lao Joint investigative team 
     meets for the first time and discusses investigative plan. 
     Plans for departure tentatively set for June 29.
       26-29 June 1999: United States Embassy and Lao officials 
     make travel arrangements.
       29 June 1999: U.S. Consul General in Chiang Mai meets with 
     Dr. Vang Pobzeb of the Lao Human Rights Council, who was 
     visiting Thailand.
       30 June 1999: U.S.-Lao joint investigative team departs for 
     Bokeo via an overnight stay in Luang Prabang.
       01 July 1999: U.S.-Lao joint team arrives in Ban Huay Xai, 
     Bokeo province. (Note: flight cancellations are responsible 
     for the delayed arrival.)
       02-05 July 1999: U.S.-Lao joint team conducts investigation 
     in Ban Huay Xai.
       06 July 1999: U.S.-Lao joint team returns to Vientiane. The 
     team suggests following up leads in Thailand.
       07 July 1999: Staffers from HIRC and SFRC meet with senior 
     Lao officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and 
     Interior to review progress in the investigation and to 
     reiterate USG concern.
       07-13 July 1999: Assistant Legal Attache in Bangkok heads 
     up continuation of investigation in Thailand.
       14 July 1999: Assistant Legal Attache travels to Chiang Mai 
     to continue investigative efforts and to interview witnesses.
       16 July 1999:
       U.S. Charge in Vientiane raises the case with the Lao MFA's 
     Permanent Secretary, who acknowledges the importance of the 
     case and promises to follow up.
       DIA briefs HIRC/SFRC staffers.
       19 July 1999: U.S. Embassy Vientiane task force meets to 
     review investigative efforts and to consider next steps.
       20 July 1999: U.S. Embassy Vientiane contacts head of Lao 
     team for joint investigation for a meeting of the joint team 
     to review findings and discuss next steps (per original 
     investigation plan). Head of Lao team responds following day 
     that other members of joint team are out of town; a meeting 
     day may be possible after Buddhist Lent (July 28).
       21 July 1999:
       During her initial call on MFA America's Department 
     Director General, newly arrived U.S. Charge again reiterates 
     Embassy concern about this case.
       Embassy formally requests a meeting of the U.S.-Lao joint 
     investigative team.
       29 July 1999: Congressman Mark Green of Wisconsin sends a 
     letter to the Department of State requesting a meeting with 
     members of Houa Ly's family.
       30 July 1999:
       U.S. Charge in Vientiane calls on MFA's Americas Department 
     Acting Director General (Amphone) and repeats request for 
     follow-up meeting of U.S.-Lao joint investigative team.
       U.S. Embassy sends diplomatic note to MFA requesting a 
     follow-on visit for Assistant Legal Attache to continue field 
     investigations based on information developed from recent 
     inquiries conducted in Thailand.
       DIA briefs Representative Mark Green and various staffers.
       Lao Human Rights Council, Inc. provides Department of State 
     with its ``Reports on the Fact-Finding Mission to Thailand, 
     June 17-July 8'' on the missing Americans.
       04 August 1999: EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Skip Boyce 
     (joined by desk officer and Consular Affairs representative) 
     brief Congressman Mark Green (R-WI).
       05 August 1999: U.S. Embassy official in Vientiane meets 
     with Director for Consular Affairs at the Lao MFA to discuss 
     meeting of joint investigative team.
       05-06 August 1999: Investigative efforts in Bangkok 
     continue.
       09 August 1999: EAP Assistant Secretary Stanley Roth calls 
     in Lao Ambassador to express our dissatisfaction with the 
     pace of the investigation.
       18 August 1999: Lao MFA, Director of Consular Affairs calls 
     in U.S. consular officer to discuss the case.
       19 August 1999: Lao MFA member of the joint team calls 
     Embassy to confirm meeting of the joint investigative team on 
     August 26. Lao MFA member also says that Lao Ministry of 
     Interior is working on assistant legal attache's follow up 
     visit to Ban Huay Xai.
       20 August 1999: Embassy task force convenes to discuss 
     strategy for August 26 meeting. Embassy requests Department's 
     input.
       23 August 1999: State Department follows up with Lao 
     Embassy to reiterate the need for quick approval of assistant 
     legal attache's visit to the region.
       24-25 August 1999: U.S. officials in Chiang Mai, Thailand 
     consult with Thai officials near the Lao border, but discover 
     no new information.
       26 August 1999: Joint U.S.-Lao investigation team meets in 
     Vientiane. The Lao request a list of places to visit and 
     people to interview in Ban Huay Xai.
       27 August 1999: Interagency group meets at the State 
     Department to discuss next steps.
       01 September 1999: Embassy officials in Vientiane submit a 
     diplomatic note to Lao officials with a list of locations and 
     people to see in Ban Huay Xai. State Department officials try 
     to facilitate FBI briefings for the families of the two 
     missing Americans.
       02 September 1999: Senator Shelby, during a visit to Laos, 
     presses the Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to 
     do everything possible to resolve this case. The Foreign 
     Minister replied that the Lao government has no information 
     the two entered Laos, but would continue its investigative 
     efforts.
       07 September 1999: Congressman Mark Green writes to the 
     State Department to request the release of classified and 
     other documents pertaining to Mr. Ly to the Ly family.
       09 September 1999: State Department officials meet with Dr. 
     Vang Pobzeb of the Lao Human Rights Council to discuss this 
     case.
       13 September 1999: Article appears in Bangkok Post 
     entitled, ``Cash-toting, armed U.S. men missing.''
       17 September 1999: U.S. consular officer in Vientiane meets 
     with Lao MFA Consular Affairs Director to discuss Embassy's 
     outstanding request for second visit to Bokeo. Lao officials 
     apologizes for delay in responding to Embassy's August 30 dip 
     note and promises to respond soon in writing.
       20 September 1999: State Department official calls the Lao 
     Embassy to request their assistance in expediting the request 
     for travel to Bokeo.
       23 September 1999: Article appears in the Fresno Bee 
     entitled, ``Protesters seek return of Fresno man.''
       27 September 1999: EAP A/S Stanley Roth meets with Lao FM 
     during the UNGA bilateral meeting to discuss this case. 
     Embassy in Vientiane attempts to contact Consular Affairs 
     chief at MFA to press for a response to our diplomatic note 
     requesting the second trip to Huay Xai.
       01 October 1999: U.S. Charge in Vientiane calls on MFA 
     Americas Acting DG to press for a quick decision on the joint 
     investigation team's proposed visit to Huay Xai.
       04 October 1999: Visiting Office Director for Burma, 
     Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam meets with Permanent 
     Secretary of the Lao MFA and Director-General of the Americas 
     department to press for a second trip to Huay Xai.

[[Page 29796]]

       07 October 1999: Embassy officials in Vientiane consult 
     with Thai Embassy officials in Laos about this case. The Thai 
     officials express their concern and agree to continue to work 
     with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.
       08 October 1999: Lao MFA official calls in consular officer 
     to discuss the trip to Huay Xai. The GOL approved a second 
     joint field investigation with certain conditions.
       12 October 1999: Embassy Vientiane's task force meets to 
     discuss the Lao government's response.
       13 October 1999: Embassy Vientiane consults with legat's 
     office in Bangkok and requests Department's input before 
     responding to Lao government. Department officials meet with 
     family members at a meeting hosted by Rep. Green.
       14 October 1999: Department relays to Lao Embassy our 
     concerns about continued GOL cooperation.
       15 October 1999: Department instructs Embassy in Vientiane 
     to impress upon the Lao the need to set a date as soon as 
     possible.
       18 October 1999: Embassy requests a meeting of the join 
     investigative team.
       22 October 1999: Embassy officials and Legal Attache from 
     Bangkok meet with Lao MFA Director of Consular Affairs to 
     discuss second field trip to Huay Xai. The Lao official does 
     not commit to a date and requests a second meeting, to 
     include more Lao officials, for October 27, the next working 
     day after the two day Lao holiday.
       27 October 1999: Embassy officials meet with Lao officials 
     to discuss issues of access and conditions. The team is able 
     to resolve most issues. The joint team is set to depart for 
     Huay Xai November 14 or 15.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green).
  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking the 
gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman) for his help and leadership 
and support on this issue. Of course, I need to thank the gentleman 
from Minnesota (Mr. Vento) for his work authoring this resolution. I 
think it is an important statement.
  I also want to thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter). 
Without his hard work and leadership on this, we would not have gotten 
to this point. He has done a tremendous job.
  Finally, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) who 
was my partner in developing some of the language that was added in 
committee, and he deserves the gratitude of all of us who are concerned 
about human rights.
  My concern, my interest in this resolution does, in fact, grow out of 
the plight of constituents of mine. Back some months ago, April, two 
American citizens, Mr. Houa Ly, who was from Appleton, Wisconsin, and 
Mr. Michael Vang, who was from the district of the gentleman from 
Fresno, California (Mr. Radanovich), were traveling along the Thai-Lao 
border, and they disappeared.
  Eye witnesses suggest that they were last seen in the company of 
representatives of the Lao government on a river boat. All available 
evidence, whether it be those eye witnesses or the congressional 
research mission that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) referred 
to, or relevant nongovernmental organizations, points, in fact, to the 
involvement of the Lao government in the disappearance of these two 
citizens.
  Since April, unfortunately, precious little seems to have happened. 
The State Department has entered into a joint investigation with the 
Lao government in this matter. The problem is, of course, that is the 
very government that is likely to have been involved in the 
disappearance.
  I would suggest to my colleagues that it should be no wonder that 
little has happened in that investigation if, in fact, the Lao 
government was involved. Let us not forget the Lao government is a 
government with an atrocious human rights record.

                              {time}  1445

  Is it any wonder that the investigation really has not gotten very 
far?
  The families involved have suffered 7 months of near silence. They 
have been told almost nothing about their loved ones. Not only nothing 
from the Lao government, which I guess is to be expected given its 
treatment of human rights issues, but also nothing, unfortunately, or 
almost nothing from our own government, from our own State Department, 
from America. It has gotten so bad that these families have had to file 
a Freedom of Information Act request to get any information at all, 
even declassified information, and they are still waiting, weeks later, 
for a formal response to their request. I hate to say it, but I cannot 
help but wonder if these U.S. citizens were not of Hmong descent but 
perhaps of another ethnic group or race, perhaps we would be taking 
this issue more seriously.
  Why are we bringing this resolution forward? People often ask why it 
is that we make such statements of policy here in the House. Well, they 
are, in fact, that, statements of policy. They are designed to send a 
public message. So here goes. Here is a public message: To the 
government of Laos, we say that these men are U.S. citizens. Any hope 
of an improved relationship with this country, in my view, must ride 
upon the Laos government's willingness to answer questions and to help 
us determine the whereabouts of these citizens.
  To our own State Department: Again, these men are U.S. citizens. Not 
second-class citizens, but full U.S. citizens. Show their families that 
citizenship means something; give them the information and give them 
the help which they are entitled to.
  Finally, to the families of Houa Ly and Michael Vang, who are U.S. 
citizens, we want them to know that they are not forgotten. It may seem 
like precious little consolation; but here today, before the public, we 
want them to know that they are not forgotten. We are remembering; we 
will push forward; and we will get some answers.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), who has become one of the most effective foreign 
affairs spokesmen on our side.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and I rise in strong support of this resolution and commend my 
friend, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento), for authoring it. 
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives 
with respect to democracy, free elections, and human rights in the Lao 
People's Democratic Republic.
  The Lao People's Democratic Republic is a one-party Communist state 
ruled by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. The Lao People's 
Revolutionary Party exercises absolute control over the state and its 
institutions. Sadly, the Lao government is intolerant of political 
diversity and the existence of political and religious groups or 
organizations with differing viewpoints.
  Independent human rights organizations, such as Amnesty 
International, have testified before the Congressional Human Rights 
Caucus that the Lao government bars information from flowing out of the 
country. In fact, foreign journalists are assigned ``minders'' by the 
Lao government security services to monitor their movements and 
activities. This type of activity demonstrates the Lao government's 
complete control over all institutions, including the media.
  Mr. Speaker, Laos is the homeland of more than 3,000 of my district's 
constituents. In fact, the State of Wisconsin has the second largest 
Hmong population in the Nation. The Hmong assisted our Nation in our 
fight against Communist forces in southeast Asia. Since first coming to 
the United States in 1975, the Hmong community has contributed to our 
Nation's economic prosperity and are dependable hard-working members of 
Wisconsin's work force.
  The Hmong are now raising a new generation of American citizens. 
Despite this, Hmong-Americans are concerned about the continued human 
rights violations that are practiced by the Lao government on Lao 
Hmong, many of whom are members of their own family. While the 
Communist Lao government does not allow independent human rights 
observers in Laos, there are numerous reports of persecution and abuse 
of the Lao people. Reports indicate that Lao Hmong families are often 
threatened; and many Hmong are reported to have been in prison, 
tortured, and even killed.
  In fact, last April, two Hmong Americans with U.S. passports and 
appropriate papers disappeared along the Lao-Thailand border. According 
to American eyewitnesses, men thought

[[Page 29797]]

to be Laotian security officials abducted the men. After more than 7 
months of joint investigation by the U.S. State Department, U.S. 
Embassies in Laos and Thailand, the Lao and Thai government, not a 
trace of the men have been found. This is intolerable and unacceptable. 
It is imperative that all information regarding the disappearance, 
whereabouts and current circumstances of these two men are 
expeditiously released and made public to the men's families and to 
this Congress.
  Moreover, with the return of approximately 1200 Hmong to their native 
Laos from the Ban Napho refugee camp in Thailand, we in Congress need 
to ensure that these people are not subjected to retribution or 
oppression by the hands of the Lao government. Passage of this 
resolution will send such a message.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution is an important first step toward 
promoting and implementing better human rights standards and, 
hopefully, democracy in Laos. The Hmong were America's friends during 
our time of need, we must not forget their sacrifices today.
  This body and this Nation has a moral obligation to send a clear 
message that we are interested in the restoration and the respect of 
human rights for the people of Laos and we will not tolerate business 
as usual by the Lao government. I would encourage all my colleagues to 
support this very important resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento).
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the ranking member yielding this 
time to me.
  I just wanted to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for 
his outstanding interest and support in this and the chairman of the 
subcommittee, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), who provided 
extraordinary cooperation, I am deeply grateful, as well as, of course, 
our Ranking Members, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) of the 
subcommittee, and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), our 
Ranking Member. I very much appreciate the cooperation.
  I think it should be borne in mind that but for these Hmong Americans 
many other U.S. lives would have been lost during the Vietnam conflict, 
and I think it behooves us to, in fact, step up and to speak to the 
human rights of the people that remain in Southeast Asia, especially 
these Hmong Americans who are in Laos and who are suffering under these 
consequences. These promises on paper do not mean anything unless they 
are translated into reality in terms of what is happening to the 
people, the minorities, in Laos.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota 
(Mr. Vento) for his supportive and kind remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ballenger). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 169, as 
amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________