A group of Laotian-Americans in California expressed their opposition to establishing normal trade relations with Laos by protesting a visit by Douglas Hartwick, US ambassador to Laos on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003.
On Sunday, the Ambassador spoke to another group of Laotian-Americans in Washington State and was presented a petition requesting him to intervene with the Lao government for an immediate and unconditional release of all political and religious prisoners in Laos.