2007 Laotian coup d'état conspiracy allegation

The alleged 2007 Laotian coup d'état plan was an alleged conspiracy to attempt organizing an overthrow of the government of Laos in violation of USC|18|960, the Neutrality Act.

History

On June 4, 2007, the U.S. Department of Justice announced they had arrested ten individuals in connection with the alleged plot as part of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. [cite news | first=Denny | last=Walsh | title=Ten accused of conspiring to oust government of Laos | url=http://www.sacbee.com/292/story/206120.html | publisher=Sacramento Bee | date=2007-06-05 | accessdate=2007-07-13 ] The operation, dubbed "Operation Tarnished Eagle," alleges Lt. Col. Harrison Jack (Ret.), former Royal Lao Army Maj. Gen. Vang Pao, Lo Cha Thao, Youa True Vang, Hue Vang, Chong Vang Thao, Seng Vue, Chu Lo, and Lo Thao conspired to obtain scores of AK-47 assault rifles, ground-to-air Stinger missiles, M72 LAW rockets, AT-4 anti-tank missiles, mines, rockets, explosives and smoke grenades in allegedly planning an attempt to overthrow the government of Laos in violation of the Neutrality Act. [cite press release | title="Operation Flawed Eagle" Thwarts Plot to Overthrow the Government of Laos | publisher=U.S. Department of Justice | date=June 4, 2007 | url=http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae/press_releases/docs/2007/06-04-07JackPressRls.pdf | accessdate=2007-07-13 ]

On June 14, Dang Vang was also arrested in connection to the alleged plot. [cite news | first=Demian | last=Bulwa | title=Feds make another arrest in alleged plot to topple Laotian government | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/14/BAG1QQFEKJ4.DTL | publisher=San Francisco Chronicle | date=2007-06-14 | accessdate=2007-07-13 ] In an affidavit by Graham Barlowe, a group supervisor of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, it is alleged that at the time of Vang's arrest, he admitted preparing the operations plan. [cite news | first=Denny | last=Walsh | title=11th arrest in Laos case | url=http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/223783.html | publisher=Sacramento Bee | date=2007-06-15 | accessdate=2007-07-13 ]

The U.S. federal judge ultimately reversed the bail decision, granting Vang Pao and the other defendants bail, even while labeling all of them flight risks, given their access to significant financial resources and private airplanes.Fact|date=April 2008

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives lead agent has also stated in a court affidavit that "probable cause exists to believe" that former Wisconsin Senator Gary George was part of the conspiracy. [cite news | first=Demian | last=Bulwa | title=Ex-Wisconsin lawmaker implicated in Laos coup plot, federal agent says | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/06/05/BAGPEQ97K24.DTL | publisher=San Francisco Chronicle | date=2007-06-05 | accessdate=2008-04-23 ]

On April 23, 2008, it was reported that U.S. Magistrate Judge Dale A. Drozd would hear arguments in November for motions seeking information U.S. intelligence agencies might have on the alleged coup plotters, including whether the government has intercepted electronic communication between Hmong in the United States and Laos. [cite news | first=Denny | last=Walsh | title=Laos plot case back in federal court | url=http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/882584.html | publisher=Sacramento Bee | date=2008-04-23 | accessdate=2008-04-23 ]

Reaction

Vang Pao's arrest and a preliminary decision by a U.S. federal judge to deny bail to Vang Pao and the other defendants sparked huge Hmong protest rallies in California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other states. [cite news | first=Andres | last=Araiza | title=Hmong Protest Demands Immediate Release of Gen Vang Pao | url=http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=5374931 | publisher=San Francisco Chronicle | date=2007-06-08 | accessdate=2008-04-23 ]

As of early 2008, pressure built on California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and U.S. President George W. Bush to issue pardons in the case, given the defendants' historical alliance with U.S. interests in Southeast Asia.Fact|date=April 2008

ee Also

*Conspiracy (political)

References

External links

* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/magazine/11pao-t.html?_r=1&&mkt=VI-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M044-ROS-0508-PH&oref=slogin "Gen. Vang Pao’s Last War,"] "The New York Times Magazine", May 11, 2008.
* [http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0606/p99s01-duts.html "U.S. Agents Thwart Planned Laos Coup Plot," "The Christian Science Monitor", June 06, 2007] .