LAOS: MEO REFUGEES ARE AIRLIFTED TO THE VILLAGES THEY CAME FROM -- OR AREAS WHERE THEY WANT TO SETTLE.

Record ID: 274958

  • Title: LAOS: MEO REFUGEES ARE AIRLIFTED TO THE VILLAGES THEY CAME FROM -- OR AREAS WHERE THEY WANT TO SETTLE.
  • Date: 18th March 1976
  • Summary: 1. GV Airport workers loading refugees' belongings (4 shots) 0.16 2. SV TILT UP Bird in cage TO man moving sacks 0.26 3. SV Women and children seated with their belongings 0.29 4. SV Supervisor checking people with baggage (2 shots) 0.34 5. SV Fork lift truck carrying baggage 0.37 6. SV Supervisor checks passengers before they walk
  • Embargoed: 2nd April 1976 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: VIENTIANE, LAOS
  • Country: Laos
  • Reuters ID: LVA9H7OK7JHDPIURNWT2189949W7
  • Story Text: After a long and bloody war in Laos the new communist rulers are putting the country with firmness and determination but without undue brutality on the socialist path.

    One major problem is the resettling o people disrupted by the fighting. Refugees have been returning from Vientiane to the villages in Pathet Lao zones.

    One group of people being sent back to their own villages are Meo tribesmen.

    A Dc-3 aircraft chartered by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees is being used for refugee work.

    More than 440,000 U.S. dollars (210,000 sterling) has been set aside for the relocation.

    At least 50,000 people are expected to be moved during the dry season. Up to 8,000 of them airlifted from Wattay Airport near Vientiane. The operation began on February 17. Many will be moved by road and river.

    Several thousand Meo tribesmen, once followers of General Vang Pao and his American backed army, have formed guerrilla groups int he mountains and have been involved in several bloody clashes with Government troops.

    About 25,000 Meo have also fled into Thailand.

    SYNOPSIS: After a long and bloody war in Laos it's time for families split by the fighting to be united and people forced from their homes to return. Meo tribesmen were one large group effected by the years of bloodshed.

    Large numbers of people are on the move with their possessions. During this dry season about 50,000 displaced people will be relocated either in their original villages or in an area of their choice. Many go to the Plain of Jars, north of Vientiane.

    More than 200,000 pounds has been set aside by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees for the relocation of refugees in Laos. Not all the Meo tribesmen are being relocated. Some have joined guerrilla bands in the mountains and have been involved in bloody clashes with Government troops. More than 25,000 Meo have also fled across the border into Thailand.

    Up to 8,000 of the refugees will be airlifted in this DC-3 chartered by the U.N. from the Lao Air Company. Most will have to travel by road and river. The new communist rulers of Laos are reported to be "encouraging" people to work in labour sharing groups and putting the state on the socialist path without undue force or brutality.
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