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October 31, 2002
Massacre at Pha Sie Cliffs - Russian Made Chemical Bombs Used Against Defenseless Men, Women, and Children
Laos (FFC) Moua Toua Ter, leader of the Freedom Fighters in Xaysomboune Special Zone reported from October 9, 2002 to October 20, 2002 64 men, women, and children were killed by communist military forces. Over 200 were injured in the heavy mortar and machinegun, and chemical weapon assault in the same period of time. The last report received by the Fact Finding Commission (FFC) was on October 20, 2002. At that time the groups under Moua Toua Ter's care were attempting to escape from the Pathet Lao forces.
Several small groups of Freedom Fighters and their families have been hiding in the steep cliffs of Pha Sie along the Nam Nyun. Ten encampments of LPDR military forces surround the Freedom Fighters. Daily the communist forces fire machine guns and mortars from their positions on the hilltops above the cliffs. Periodically, helicopters fire machineguns and drop chemical bombs on the area inhabited by these groups. The greatest death toll comes from the chemical bombs. The greatest number of victims are children.
FFC recently obtained evidence that the chemical bombs are of Russian origin. In September FFC Video-correspondent Khamsin Pasurt spent several days in Xaysomboune Special Zone documenting the presence of communist military forces and the conditions of the Freedom Fighters and their families. Pasurt's report, which will be published within the next several days, shows conclusive evidence of LPDR assaults against the people at Pha Sie, the effect of chemical warfare (especially to the children), and unexploded bombs with Russian markings.
From Pasurt's report FFC believes more recently chemical sprays and mortars containing chemicals of North Korean origin have been used against these people. Those that are exposed to the recent chemicals experience blindness, paralysis, extreme abdominal pain, and distended stomachs due to apparent liver and kidney failure. They live in agony twenty to thirty days before dying. There is no medical help for these people.
The people under Moua Toua Ter have been under attack since December, 1999. However, this latest assault coincides with reports that it is the goal of the LPDR to exterminate these people by the end of October, 2002. In early September 2002 sources within the government of Laos report General Bounchan, who is currently stationed at Mouang Chang, had drafted a military strategic plan to exterminate and genocide all the veterans and their families by the end of October 2002. His plan included more military forces and the use of "modern" military weapons purchased from North Korea. It was reported General Bounchan recruited 10,000 troops for his new plan; 5,000 Laotians and 5,000 troops from North Vietnam.
The Freedom Fighters are veterans of the U.S. Secret Army. For twenty-six years these people have lived in the jungle holding on to the hope their American allies would come to their rescue. They eat roots of trees and Cassava (wild yam). Those born in the jungle have never tasted rice. Today there are few of the cassava left. The harsh roots of the trees are indigestible for the very young and the elderly causing them to starve to death. The only medicines are herbal remedies found in the jungle. Their clothing is old and tattered.
The genocide of these people is based on their allegiance to the United States. The communists refer to "the American nail in their head" of those who fought for the United States and their descendents. This American mentality is the enemy of the communist philosophy. America is their greatest enemy. In their thinking this "American Nail" is in the genes so all men, women, and children must be exterminated.
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