The Heat is On!
Dear Family,
The following message sent to Bill McDonough at midnight Thursday from Vientiane.
URGENT
Dear Bill or whoever might be in the office,
The Laos situation is far from over. A two hour meeting today with the
Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded with their
insisting that we hand over control of funds, vehicles, and personnel to the
Vientiane Municipality Department of Health. Our choices are:
- Pack up PIP and lose probably $40,000 in vehicles, all contact with Laos, and take a giant step backward.
- Appoint an acting replacement for me that can continue the project with our Laotian staff when and if they are released from jail.
- Accept their demands and complete choice one by default.
A one hour meeting with the American ambassador this afternoon assured us that she is doing everything possible to continue working on the release of our project staff. Press releases by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are very negative against the departing PIP staff and could indicate a bad turn in relations. Mrs. Fox arrives Friday noon and was not involved in any of the charges and government decision to remove myself and the Canfields and should therefore be acceptable as a replacement for me.
Bill, if you are in the office, please sign or retype on your letterhead and fax to me before 8 pm Thursday night your time. Our meeting is Friday morning 10 am. Jerry & Meg plan to leave Sunday, I have to be gone by Monday. We will work out a schedule for the new acting country director if approved. Call any time if you have questions.
God bless,
Ken FoxThere is an attached letter to Bill that would authorize W. Jean Fox to be the acting country director (she arrives in Bangkok right now and will find out from Larry). Status of the 33 the same, the pressure is on to accomplish their release while packing up and still taking care of our first priorities. Keep praying that the serpent loses another round. Love you,
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