August 4, 2008 - Letter from Former Ambassador Eugene Douglas Regarding the Hmong Refugee Crisis
August 4, 2008
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Mr. President,
You depart this week for Asia with
stops in Seoul and Bangkok before arriving in Beijing for the ceremonial opening of the Olympic Games. Your visit
to Bangkok recognizes the 175th Anniversary of U.S. – Thai relations. Thailand is a respected ally of the United States
and the friendship between the Thai and American people is tested and strong enough to permit a candid exchange of views.
In Thailand, the First Lady’s planned visit to the Mae La refugee camp near Mae Sot is timely in light of another urgent
Asian refugee issue that more directly touches America’s history in Southeast Asia and the lives of many new American
citizens.
Today, there are thousands of Hmong refugees still in Thailand awaiting resettlement abroad or a chance
to return to their beloved Laos in safety and freedom. Recently, untold hundreds of Laotian Hmong refugees have
been taken from their camps inside Thailand and forcibly returned to Laos where they face a dangerous if not fatal reception
by the Laotian authorities. The Thai Army has taken part in these involuntary repatriations that are contrary to the
historical tolerance and hospitality extended to refugees by the Kingdom of Thailand. Why was this done now when there
are confirmed reports of Laotian armed measures against the Hmong still inside Laos? Despite denials by the Lao Government,
there are sufficient foreign witnesses to substantiate that all is not well inside Laos. Numerous respected international
organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have testified to the recent dangers
to the Hmong within Laos itself.
Recently, the United States Congress introduced House Resolution 1273 calling
on your Administration to assist the kinsmen of the same Hmong who were loyal and courageous allies of the United States
during the Vietnam conflict. Today, when we are at war in defense of America’s security and in support
of the values of our civilization, the honor of the United States and its people is known by how we stand with our allies
in victory and in peace. There are Hmong families in the United States, many of whom are now proud
American citizens, who implore you to act by directing the State Department to work with the Royal Thai Government
to suspend its actions against the Hmong still in camps. The United States can assure our Thai ally that they
are not alone in the care of refugees and that we will work to arrange resettlement to the United States, Australia,
Canada and France and provide for their interim support while still in Thailand .
Surely, the Royal
Thai Government and the United States can afford this small measure of additional compassion for the Hmong. During
the Vietnam War, I served as an officer in the US Navy and know firsthand the courage and contributions made by the Hmong
in support of US and allied forces. Their role is a matter of historical record. Years after the war, it was my
honor to serve under President Reagan and Vice President Bush as United States Ambassador at Large and Coordinator for Refugee
Affairs. I worked closely with the Royal Thai Government, many foreign governments, faith based NGOs and the United
Nations to find solutions for the plight of the world’s refugees. The United States held the high ground and lead
by example.
Mr. President, do the right thing and ask the Thai Government to suspend further involuntary repatriation
of the Laotian and Hmong still enjoying refuge inside Thailand. Let us show the world that despite all our many burdens,
the United States does not forget those who fought and died for a common cause.
Respectfully,
Howard Eugene Douglas
United States Ambassador at Large
Coordinator for Refugee
Affairs (1981 – 1985)
Hon. H. Eugene Douglas
6608 Cypress Point North
Austin, Texas 78746
