| Laos’s coup defendants plead not guilty |
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| World Affairs Talk | |
| Wednesday, 20 June 2007 | |
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Among the charged, was Harrison Jack, a former Army Ranger who worked with Hmong fighters during the Vietnam War. The charges created a fear among California's Hmong community, which includes thousands who fled following the 1975 takeover of Laos by the communists. On 18 June, a crowd of up to 1,500 people who feel that the US government has not done enough to stop the harassment of Hmong in Laos, demonstrated outside the federal courthouse in Sacramento and demanded a fair trail. All 10 are charged with conspiring to violate the Neutrality Act against a nation with which the US is at peace; conspiracy to kill, kidnap and maim; conspiracy to possess firearms and destructive devices; and conspiracy to export munitions without a State Department license. The indictment says that alleged conspirators were meeting with a person they believed was a weapons broker but who actually was an undercover federal agent at a Thai restaurant in Sacramento last February. According to the indictment, after the meeting, they examined a truckload of weapons that contained samples of AK-47s, M-16s, C-4 explosives, anti-tank rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and Claymore mines. Judges have refused to set bail during previous hearings, saying the defendants could be a flight risk or pose a danger to society. Federal prosecutors say the defendants intended to buy nearly $10 million worth of weapons. Earlier this year, Jack, a former California National Guard officer, sent an e-mail to friends suggesting the Lao government was planning mass killings of Hmong remaining in the country. That apparently was the origin of the alleged 10’ planning to overthrow the government The Hmong, a mountain people, helped US forces during the Vietnam War. Those who stayed behind after Laos fell to the communists have been subject to severe persecution. Many have fled to Thailand, where they live in refugee camps. Those who came to the US are concentrated in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Vang Pao was confident of broad support in Laos for a coup, including from former military officers. He foresaw gathering 1,284 battle-ready troops and another 10,000 unarmed opposition party members. His plan included bombing government buildings, shooting down military aircraft and shutting down transport links. Martial law would have led to the establishment of a temporary government, giving way to elections after two years. Share & Bookmark             |
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