News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Bob Necci & Carol Hrdlicka, Andi Wolos
(POW-MIA FaxNetwork)

Re: The Secret War In Laos

Date: July 12, 1997

Out of the blue, AP has sent out a piece on the difficulty of recovering 'MIA' remains from the 'secret' war in Laos. Whatever prompted this piece is certainly curious.

According to the article, the only two men who were seen by an interviewee, died. It continues to recount how the nature of the war and the climate would render any of the 455 'MIA' remains unrecoverable. And, as expected, the mention of 'controversial' Live Sightings is a non-issue these days and POW was never mentioned. In closing we are treated to the remarks of US investigators that say the Laotians are 'very, very cooperative' and have 74 sites scheduled for excavation. We are told that archival research is the way to go.

In one week we are told there is no 'credible evidence' of men transferred to the USSR from Korea-Cold War. In one week week we see the highest ranking US public serpents reducing POW-MIA to a paperwork exercise in Vietnam while laying cornerstones for an embassy during a photo op. In one week we are told that Live Sightings in Laos are 'controversial' at best. In one week we receive an Annual Report from DPMO that crows over its accomplishments while the families who live with the reality are left dismayed and disgusted.

It's been a busy week. Damage control is running at full speed.