Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Flyingmonk
Australian Government
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
10 May 2005
Mrs Kay Danes
[Address withheld]
Dear Mrs Danes
Thank you for your letter of 19 April 2005 concerning Lao-Hmong hiding
in the jungle in Laos.
The Australian Government has made considerable efforts to improve the
livelihoods of Hmong living in the remote areas of the country. Members
of our Embassy in Vientiane visit
the area regularly and work closely with organisations such as the
United Nations Development Program, World Food Program [WFP] and
International Red Cross. They have visited villages containing Hmong
who have recently come out of the forest and arranged for blankets and
other humanitarian provisions for those in need. The Australian
Government is also supporting WFP operations in the Xayxomboun Special
Zone, providing rice to alleviate food insecurity problems. The success
of these operations has depended on the projects maintaining a low
profile. The Australian Government would like to ensure that this
framework of cooperation, which is delivering real benefits to the
Hmong in this area, is continued.
The organisations mentioned above are aware of the reports of groups
seeking to leave the forest. They are working closely with Hmong groups
in these areas and will seek to meet the
needs of new arrivals. These arrangements have the highest likelihood
of addressing the needs and providing security to the groups of Hmong
to which you refer.
If you have information about groups of people requiring urgent
humanitarian assistance these organisations may be able to divert
activities to ensure that their immediate needs can be
adequately catered for. You may wish to pass any relevant information
directly to our Embassy in Vientiane for forwarding to contacts within
these organisations.
Regarding your email dated 28 April, I am advised that the Embassy of
the United States has informed our Embassy in Vientiane that it is
aware of the concerns you expressed regarding
consular support for five Hmong prisoners and is reviewing the
available information.
Thank you for bringing your views to the attention of the Government.
Yours sincerely
Frank Ingruber
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The R.G. Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
BARTON A.C.T. 0221