Laos (FFC)  In an interview on March 10, 2004 with Fact Finding Commission correspondents Yang Toua Thao, leader of the U.S. Secret Veterans in Luang Prabang Province, confirmed the people were captured by the LPDR government and had not voluntarily surrendered as had been reported. 
He stated the 900 people from Ban Pang Ung, Luang Prabang Province, Phousavan, Xieng Khouang Province and Muang Mok, Borikhamxay Province have been under heavy attack by LPDR and SRV (Socialist Republic of Vietnam) troops.  Faced with starvation they were forced to surrender to the communist troops. 
Commander Thao confirmed to FFC that sources within the LPDR leaked information to the Secret Veterans' attention that beginning March 4, 2004 the LPDR Government has increased its military buildup consisting of Lao and Vietnamese troops with the goal of wiping out the Secret Veterans in Luang Prabang and Xieng Khouang Provinces by the end of June 2004.
Daily, MI-8 gunship helicopters made frequent stops from Vang Vieng to the military camps surrounding the veteran groups (TG 61.36 - Lima Site 112, TG 55.36, TG 62.26 and TG 64.27). 
Thao reported the LPDR warned the 900 individuals that were captured in late February not to tell the international groups their true identity that they are the Secret Veterans.  He said they were warned anyone who speaks the truth to the international community upon contact will be imprisoned or executed.  Reportedly LPDR authorities also warned the captive veterans and their families that in the event the international community made contact with those imprisoned and questioned them pertaining their surrender they should not tell the truth that they had been surrounded by communist troops and forced to surrender but rather agreed to surrender themselves voluntarily.


March 9, 2004

Fact Finding Commission Apologizes to Radio Free Asia


In a news release on March 5, 2004 titled Over 900 Freedom Fighters Surrender in Laos - More Likely to Follow the Fact Finding Commission reported the following:  "The surrenders come on the heals of an interview with U.S. State Department, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Matthew P. Daley with Radio Free Asia broadcast February 4, 2004…………Those hiding in the mountains rely on Radio Free Asia broadcasts for news from the outside world.  It is unclear if Daley's promise of U.S. intervention had an influence on the Freedom Fighters decision to surrender."

In a very kind rebuke Voice of America reminded FFC that the Daley interview was on VOA not RFA.  VOA also reminded FFC that they too are the source of outside news for the people in the mountains of Laos.  "Independently conducted surveys of VOA's audience in Laos confirms year after year that the Voice of America enjoys a large listenership in Laos."

FFC sincerely apologizes for the error.  FFC also apologizes for the oversight of not including VOA in the valuable service they and RFA provide in getting news from the free world to those in Laos who have no other source of the truth.

FFC has always been treated fairly by both VOA and RFA.  In September of 2002 FFC publicly apologized to RFA for having misrepresented a report broadcast on their network.  FFC has now leveled the playing field by having offended both agencies.  FFC will do its best not to repeat either error. 

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