March 27, 1998 Friday Evening Midnight

Dear Family,
We're back in Udorn, Thailand along with Thomas & Kindy Kweekul from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Today's Bangkok Post article on the Laos 10 prison sentences is here. The Nation on page 6 had a shorter article and headline, "Stiff terms for Bible group." Our report on DAY 55 gave the shocking news that eight men of the Laos 10 had been sentenced to three years in prison. Khammieng, Chansaw's father, and Duangmanee, Khun Sy's twenty year old daughter, had been sentenced to serve one year. The only good news was that the three grandmothers will be released April 1st after two months in jail. The prisoners can now have family visits once a week. Yesterday, Bounlerth was allowed to hold his son John David for the very first time (we would love to have heard the discussion about whether they call him John or David).

What do we do now? APPEAL! Appeals must be made to all three powers: 1st, to the One who controls governments - your continued prayers to God 2nd, to the Lao government that controls the Laos 10 - see letter below 3rd, to the Vientiane People's Court that controls the sentencing, read on:

APPEAL NUMBER THREE: Phonsawan and the families have 15 days from March 25th to appeal the sentences. Phonsawan filed the notice with the court today and will receive the formal charges and necessary forms on Monday. The American Embassy responded immediately to Jerry Canfield's request for assistance. The first attorney I contacted today in Vientiane is with a well known foreign law firm in Vientiane. The attorney not only refused to be involved, but advised that, "the isolated raid initialed by Vientiane officials on January 30th was now an international incident. Not only is "Most Favored Nation" status for Laos in jeopardy, but relations between the United States and Laos are now seriously impacted by the Laotian government's human rights abuse of the Laos 10. Any attorney that handles the case of the Laos 10 will be perceived as opposing the Laotian government." The first Laotian lawyer I called agreed to act as consultant for the families, but is not willing to appear before the court.

APPEAL NUMBER TWO: Please send this NEW letter to the Lao Embassy in Washington DC. If you live in another country, please send it also to the Lao Embassy there.