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DE RUEHVN #0085/01 0330804
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R 020804Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO RUEHC/SEQATE WASHDC 0827
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 7117

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000085 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS; EAP/FO (DAS JOHN); PRM/FO (DAS 
GREENE); BANGKOK FOR POL (SUTTON) AND REFCOORD (HONNOLD) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2017 
TAGS: ASEC LA MOPS PGOV PREF PREL PTER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERING "MATERIAL SUPPORT" FOR THE HMONG; LIST 
OF BOMBINGS AND ATTACKS IN LAOS 
 
REF: 05 VIENTIANE 0072 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA M. HASLACH FOR REASONS 
1.4 (B AND D) 
 
¶1. (C) The issue of determining who provided "material 
support" in the case of the Lao Hmong is very complicated. 
Below (para 5), we provide the Embassy's list of bombings and 
other attacks in Laos during the past several years.  In 
virtually all cases, the identities of the perpetrators are 
difficult to establish.  One exception was the group of 
attacks in April and May 2004 claimed by the "Underground 
Government" and signed by "Viangsavan Vongvijit."  Beyond 
that, all information indicates the 02/06/03 attack on a bus 
in northern Vientiane Province -- which killed two passing 
Swiss cyclists in addition to many other casualties -- was 
most likely carried out by members of the Yang Toua Thao 
group.  The subsequent two attacks, because of geographic and 
timing proximity, were very likely also carried out by this 
group. 
 
¶2. (C) However, the 01/13/05 attack on a police/military 
convoy was said to have been carried out by members of the 
"Chao Fa" movement;  we lack evidence as to the exact 
membership of this movement.  The perpetrators of virtually 
all other attacks are unknown.  Observers believe that 
attacks in the major cities of Vientiane and Savannakhet have 
been most likely carried out by ethnic Lao/royalist 
supporters rather than the Hmong ethnic minority.  Finally, 
note the last attack listed below, that of 11/14/05, in which 
a bomb was used in a family dispute; bombing has been used as 
a mechanism to settle business and personal disputes here, 
and it is difficult to determine which of the other attacks 
listed below may have been of a personal or business nature. 
 
 
¶3. (C) In general, the Embassy believes that women, children, 
and the elderly should automatically be considered for 
waivers.  In contrast, we believe any fighter from Yang Toua 
Thao,s group -- the group responsible for the 2003 bus 
attacks in northern Vientiane Province ) should not be 
eligible.  Yang,s group is part of the &Neo Hom8 grouping 
originally led by Vang Pao.  As noted above, more problematic 
would be to identify and exclude followers of the &Chao Fa8 
movement responsible for the January 2005 attack on police, 
soldiers, and civilians in Houaphanh Province.  The &Chao 
Fa8 movement is a Hmong semi-religious millenialist movement 
advocating a separate Hmong state (reftel).  We do not have 
a specific group leader,s name.  Of the other armed 
insurgent groups, that led by Moua Toua Ther is thought to be 
the largest ) although at this point probably with fewer 
than 200 fighters.  Although armed ) and also part of Vang 
Pao,s &Neo Hom,8 we lack direct evidence of offensive 
actions which would preclude consideration of waivers for 
members of this relatively higher profile group.  We also 
lack such evidence for the smaller groups led by Xia Pai 
Yang, Wa Meng Yang, and Valeng Li-Sinon (each estimated to 
have less than 100 fighters).  So we would recommend the 
possibility of waivers be kept open for members of these 
groups. 
 
¶4. (C) As far as the Embassy is aware, none of the 153 
refugees being detained in Nong Khai are connected to any 
group which would preclude being granted a waiver. 
 
¶5. (SBU) List of bombings, attacks, and other events 
affecting security in Laos in recent years (note all cable 
numbers are from year of incident): 
 
03/30/00 - Grenade thrown at Kopchai Deu Restaurant in 
Vientiane injuring six foreign and two Lao customers. 
 
11/15/01 ) Bomb explodes near customs processing area at the 
friendship bridge.  11 injuries, mainly Thai. 
 
09/06/02 -  Bomb explodes at Wat Simuang.  Thrown into crowd 
at festival after suspects are chased by police from a 
Vietnamese trade fair at the cultural center. Several 
injuries.  Two arrests. Vientiane 1028. 
 
12/01/02 - Lao Police disarm three IED's in box addressed to 
Burmese Embassy at Vientiane post office located one block 
from US Embassy. Vientiane 1471 
 
12/06/02 - Small IED explodes on street 150 yards behind US 
Embassy.  No damage or known injuries.  Lao authorities claim 
the bomb is gang related and that four arrests are made. 
Vientiane 1471 
 
02/06/03 - 25 to 30 heavily armed persons ambush traffic on 
route 13 north of Vang Vieng resulting in 13 deaths 
(including one Chinese businessman and two Swiss nationals 
killed when cycling past) and 26 wounded.  Vientiane 171, 
¶186.  Other shooting incidents on route 13 detailed in 
Vientiane 244, 289. 
      Note: perpetrators apparently from Yang Toua Thao,s 
group 
 
02/22/03 - bus attack near Vang Vieng; one wounded 
      Note: perpetrators apparently from Yang Toua Thao,s 
group 
 
04/20/03 - Insurgents ambush a bus carrying 69 people on 
route 13 south of Luang Prabang resulting in 12 deaths and 31 
injuries.  Vientiane 457. 
      Note: perpetrators apparently from Yang Toua Thao,s 
group 
 
06/06/03 - Several police are injured by a small explosive 
device dropped by a local man they are attempting to arrest 
for drunk driving in downtown Vientiane. 
 
06/07/03 - Insurgents ambush a bus on route 7 in central Laos 
resulting in 6 deaths and several injuries.  Vientiane 654. 
 
07/17/03 - Bomb: Bus bombed 40km southeast of Vientiane. 5 
Lao injured. 
 
07/25/03 - Ambush: Truck ambushed by insurgents on Rte 13 
between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. 2 Lao dead, several 
injuries.  Vientiane 874. 
 
08/04/03 - Bomb: Bus station at morning market 200 yards from 
the Embassy bombed. 16 Lao injured. Vientiane 882. 
 
08/23/03 - Ambush: Several vehicles ambushed by insurgents in 
Houaphanh Province, Northern Laos.  5 Lao dead.  Same 
insurgents attempt unsuccesfully to bomb the market in 
Houaphanh. Vientiane 955. 
 
08/27/03 - Fighting in Houaphanh province between Lao army 
and Hmong insurgents.  Numerous casualties on both sides 
reported.  Entry into much of Houaphanh province restricted 
by GOL to foreign NGO personnel and tourists.  Vientiane 1003. 
 
10/19/03 - Small bomb explodes on street adjacent to 
Vientiane's main market. No injuries reported.  Vientiane 1168 
 
10/19/03 - Small bomb explodes in Savannakhet main market 
(southern Laos). Conflicting reports on casualties, likely no 
injuries.  Vientiane 1189. 
 
10/31/03 - Small bomb explodes at Lao victory monument in 
Vientiane. No injuries.  Vientiane 1216. 
 
11/02/03 - Small bomb explodes at Temple on the outskirts of 
Vientiane.  Vandals or youth gangs suspected. No injuries. 
 
02/04/04 - IED detonates near Lao Victory Monument 600 meters 
from Embassy. No injuries. Vientiane 131. 
      Note: this and 02/06/04 bomb timed to coincide with 
ASEAN tourism conference in Vientiane 
 
02/04/04 - Lao male arrested while attempting to place IED at 
the Vietnamese Embassy.  IED diffused. Vientiane 131. 
 
02/06/04 - IED detonates in Savannakhet market (Southern 
Laos).  4 Lao injured. Vientiane 135. 
 
02/09/04 - German-based "Committee for Independence and 
Democracy in Laos" and its "underground government" ally take 
credit for previous week's attacks 
 
04/02/04 - Bomb detonates under vehicle parked at restaurant 
three blocks from the US Embassy.  No injuries. Vientiane 359. 
 
05/02/04 - Bomb carried by Lao man detonates prematurely in 
front of the Samsenthai Hotel four blocks from the US 
Embassy.  Suspect killed, no other casualties.  Vientiane 455. 
 
05/08/04 - Bomb detonates near Friendship Bridge border 
crossing during local festival in the area.  Fifteen Lao 
injured and several vehicles damaged. Vientiane 495. 
 
05/14/04 - "Underground Government" -- under signature of 
"Viangsavan Vongvijit" -- takes claim for series of bomb 
attacks: 
      04/13/04  2030  bomb in pickup truck in front of 
restaurant in Savannakhet 
 
      04/17/04  2000  bomb in bus in Savannakhet; 12 victims 
      05/02/04  2000  bomb at SaQ#!.WQheavy rains no 
persons in the park at the time, no casualties.  RSO E-mail 
to DS/IP/EAP. 
 
10/22/04 - U.S. Embassy and DOS warn anti-government elements 
may plan to bomb 11/25-30/04 ASEAN Summit 
 
11/09/04 - Two bombs detonate near the entry to the 
Friendship Bridge which crosses to Thailand from Vientiane. 
No injuries or significant damage reported.  Vientiane 1238. 
 
11/24/04 - Two bombs reported diffused by Lao police at the 
Commercial Bank of Laos. Vientiane 1307. 
 
11/25/04 - Two bombs detonate along the Ring road in front of 
a hospital.  No injuries or significant damage.  Vientiane 
¶1302. 
 
01/13/05 - Ambush: Police/Military convoy ambushed by Hmong 
separatists in Houaphanh province.  Several deaths reported. 
Vientiane 72 
      Note: perpetrators apparently from "Chao Fa" Movement 
 
11/14/05 - IED at private residence in Vientiane; one killed, 
one injured; apparently internal family dispute.  Vientiane 
¶1189. 
 
 
 
HASLACH