In the last ten days, General Vang Pao, military leader of the U.S. Secret War and leader of Hmong now living in the free world was in Washington D.C. and New York seeking intervention by the international community on behalf of the women and children. He asked various members of the U.S. Congress, the State Department, and the United Nations to intervene and establish an intermediary to negotiate with the Lao government to insure safe passage and humanitarian care for these women and children. General Tonglith, formerly of the Lao Royal Army, who represented the ethnic Lao who also escaped the persecution following the war in Southeast Asia, joined General Vang Pao.
Their request was that the international community does all within its power to insure these people are not killed, tortured, or treated in an inhumane manner. That they be allowed access by aid organizations such as the Red Cross and the World Food Program to insure they have food and proper medical attention. They expressed that their only desire is to see that those in the jungles of Laos are allowed to live in peace. Those they met in Washington and at the United Nations gave the generals assurances that efforts would be made to get the international community involved in trying to open talks with the Lao government. They were assured international humanitarian aid is available to assist the Lao government in caring for these women and children. 
For many years several Hmong and Lao leaders and organizations have asked the United States and the international community to intervene on behalf of these people who's only offense is to have been loyal to the United States during the fight against communism in Southeast Asia. They have asked for international fact-finding groups to investigate allegations of the genocide of these people at the hands of the Lao government. They have asked that a cease-fire be negotiated, food and humanitarian aid be provided, and if possible safe passage out of Laos to other countries be arranged.  
Their hope is that the Lao government will open a dialog with the United Nations that allows for negotiations with the leaders in the jungle to surrender with the assurances the people will be treated humanly and have the opportunity to live in peace. The immediate crisis of the women and children is looked upon as the opportunity to open up transparent dialog between Laos, the international community, and the leaders in the jungle to bring an end to this three decade long ordeal.  
For some of the Secret War veterans and their families, thirty-year struggle to survive for in the jungles of Laos is about to end. The Lao governments use of forced starvation has taken its toll. Within a few days these people must decide whether to remain in the mountains and die of starvation or risk putting themselves in the hands of the Lao authorities. 
They simply want the killing to stop and the opportunity live in peace. They ask the Lao government for assurances they will have safe passage out of the jungles, food, shelter, and medical assistance.