Laos’ Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh asserts that his government will cooperate with Thailand to solve the problem of the Huay Nam Khao Hmongs as soon as possible, and will not object if Thailand or a third country is willing to resettle those Hmongs who do not want to return to Laos.
It was his first comment on the Hmong refugees problem which both the Lao and Thai government have always maintained to be an immigration issue.
Meanwhile, the U.S.-based Fact Finding Commission says that a Hmong refugee at Ban Huay Nam Khao was beaten to death by a Thai soldier on July 11th.
VOA Bangkok stringer also reports that Lao authorities have arrested five Hmongs in Sayabouli Province on charges of trying to bomb seven sites in the province on July 7th. But Laos' Foreign Ministry spokesman, Yong Chanthalangsy, denies there has been any arrest.