US removes Laos, Cambodia from trade blacklist

[arjay]

From the Bangkok Post: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/14 ... -blacklist

US removes Laos, Cambodia from trade blacklist
By: AFP
Published: 13/06/2009 at 07:40 PM

Washington - US President Barack Obama removed Laos and Cambodia from a trade blacklist, opening the way for US loans to companies doing business in the former US adversaries.

The United States has been boosting ties with both Southeast Asian nations. But the decision on Laos was sharply criticised by campaigners for the country's Hmong minority, which says it faces persecution.

In brief declarations issued late on Friday after all major news broadcasts had ended for the weekend, Obama said Cambodia and Laos had each "ceased to be a Marxist-Leninist country," a designation that prevented financial support by the US Export-Import Bank for businesses operating in the two nations.

The move, which still must go through formalities, means that US businesses would be eligible for US government-backed loans and credit guarantees as they can receive when operating in most countries.

"Given the commitment of Cambodia and Laos to open markets, the president has determined that this designation is no longer applicable," an Obama administration official said.

* The Lao People's Democratic Republic has ceased to be a Marxist-Leninist country.
* I hereby determine that the Kingdom of Cambodia has ceased to be a Marxist-Leninist country.

- US President Barack Obama

With the decision, the United States forbids US-backed loans for businesses to operate in only six countries - Cuba, Iran, Burma, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.

US ties with Cambodia and Laos were long clouded by concerns about the fate of US service members missing since the Vietnam War. In Cambodia, the United States worried about corruption and accountability for Khmer Rouge war crimes.

But the United States has been moving closer to both nations, where China is also stepping up influence. Washington established normal trade ties with Laos in 2004 and three years later lifted all restrictions on aid to Cambodia.

Obama's decision to boost trade ties with Laos came under fire from supporters of the Hmong, a hill people who supported US forces during the Vietnam War and say they face retaliatory abuse decades later.

A recent report by Paris-based Medicins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders, said Hmong who fled since 2005 to Thailand have said they suffered killings, gang-rape and malnutrition at the hands of Laotian forces.

Obama's declaration "is completely shocking and outrageous," said Philip Smith, executive director of the Center for Public Policy Analysis, which promotes Hmong rights.

"This is a one-party regime which is closely allied with Burma and North Korea," he said. "This will embolden the Laos government to continue to slaughter and massacre civilians."

Many Hmong are still in hiding in Laos. Another 250,000 Hmong have resettled in the United States.

Last month, Medicins Sans Frontieres pulled out of the sole Hmong refugee camp in Thailand, complaining that the kingdom was forcing some 4,700 people in the camp back to Laos where they fear persecution.

US lawmakers plan to send a letter next week to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, asking her to press Thailand to halt the repatriation of the Hmong to Laos.

"The US has been a champion of the Hmong since the Vietnam War," said the letter, so far signed by 17 members of Congress.

"We continue to have a vital national security interest in and moral obligation to assist our former allies, especially those with bona fide persecution claims," it said.

[BobHelm]

Interesting read RJ - especially the Laos part. I have a sneaking feeling that the USA have missed the boat there & China have the country very much under its wraps...but it will be good for the Government (& so maybe the people) to be able to display alternatives..
Cambodia I am very unsure about. My only knowledge (through reading) is that the current PM has the country very much under his thumb.
I think neither declaration is particularly positive as far as Thailand is concerned...

[arjay]

I wonder what the British government's current view/policy re Laos is, and their relationship intentions/plans. - Bearing in mind that the UK currently has no Embassy or consulate there.

I was surprised to note that there is dialogue, as they recently rather quickly came up with the "prisoner agreement".

[BobHelm]

Sadly I think the UK government gave up on its citizens abroad a long time ago . While I agree that this US statement gives them zero reason NOT to open an embassy in Vientiane tomorrow I fear it will not happen as long as:
1. The Aussie Embassy is willing to take up the slack for UK's reticence.
2. There is not a deserving & incompetent soul somewhere in the upper echelons of the Civil Service out of a job...

[tigerryan]

"The US has been a champion of the Hmong since the Vietnam War," said the letter, so far signed by 17 members of Congress.

I thought we left them to be slaughtered? Oh then I noticed the "since" the war part.


I a generally a free trader and guess that normalization is the only thing that will bring about the prosperity and liberty for the Hmong that they deserve.

[aznyron]

that is refreshing news since I want Thailand to feel a bigger crunch in trade & exporting goods
maybe they will wise up and and take the necessary steps to improve there export business
as for Hmong people I would only assume biggest amount of them are the off spring and should not be held liable for there parents by the Government I also understand the USA when left Vietnam
they forgot about promises made to these loyal supporters of the USA so it only go to show me you can not trust a politician no matter what country he/she derives from