Laos can accept return of Hmongs in Thailand, says Thai military chief

BANGKOK: -- Laos is sincere and willing to take back some 6,000 Hmongs now taking temporary refuge in Thailand's northern province of Phetchabun, military commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit.

Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang told journalists on Friday upon his return from talks with senior Laotian government and army officers in Vientiane that his visit to the landlocked country was to meet Lao government officials after taking up his current post more than a month ago and also to strengthen relations between the neighbouring countries.

During the talks, the Laotian side raised an issue on about 6,000 ethnic Hmongs who are staying at a village in Phetchabun, he said, adding that the Hmongs could have the opportunity to travel to third countries if both Laos and Thailand are sincere in resolving the problem.

The Lao government is willing to take back 52 Hmongs now taking temporary refuge in northeastern Thailand's Udon Thani province -- which he said should be considered as a positive sign -- while it needs more time to verify that those 6,000 Hmongs were from Laos before accepting them, Gen. Boonsang said.

He said there are now some two million illegal immigrants staying in Thailand and it is impossible to push all of them back to their countries. It is also not possible to prevent more illegal immigrants to enter the country because Thailand shares a long border with neighbouring countries.

--TNA 2006-11-11

call me crazy, but has anyone in these negotiations stopped to ask what the Hmong want? and where they want to go?