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French Colonel Robert Jambon Suicide Protest in Support for Hmong
Colonel Ham who had retired in the Cotes d'Armor after a long and successful career in the army and navy in the intelligence services, was passionate about Asia and a champion of the Hauts-H'Mong trays with whom he had spent some years of bush and he had always been defended. He maintained it regularly with J. R., my colleague in the service policy, big history buff whose déblog'note (click here to access the site JR) offers tasty chronic and epic rants.
Colonel Ham, who had repeatedly denounced the genocide of the Hmong, has finally resigned. The expulsion last year of 4200 Hmong in Thailand, was ulcerated. And the silence on this "bargain" has finally revolted and disheartened. His body was found at the war memorial in Indochina Dinan (Côtes d'Armor).
He left a poignant letter to explain his decision. It was his "last shot", an "act of war" and not a shameful flight.
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12 December 2011
Thailand repatriated almost 5,000 Hmong refugees to Laos in December 2009
A retired French colonel has killed himself to protest against "indifference" to the plight of Laos's Hmong minority, French media say.
Col Robert Jambon, 86, shot himself in October on the steps of the "Indochina monument" in Dinan in western France.In a suicide letter published by Ouest France, he described his action as "an act of war aimed at rescuing our brothers-in-arms facing death".
Ethnic Hmong have been complaining of discrimination in Vietnam and Laos.
Col Jambon fought alongside Hmong during France's war in South-East Asia in the 1940s and early 1950s.
Many members of the community joined French forces during the conflict - known in the country as the "Indochina war".
In the suicide note, the colonel wrote: "After a long period of disappointment I have decided to play my final card, or more precisely my final bullet."
He said the suicide was aimed at expressing his "shame and to protest against the cowardly indifference of our officials in the face of the terrible misfortune that is hitting our friends in Laos".
Col Jambon said he had been particularly outraged by the lack of international reaction to Thailand's decision to expel thousands of Hmong refugees two years ago.
"As for you, governments without honour and big media without honour, I spit my blood and my contempt in your face," his letter says.
The Hmong communities of northern Laos and Vietnam also fought alongside US forces during the Vietnam War, and feel they are discriminated against because of their past.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-16145598
Here is the property presented by Sacramento Hmong Community, Inc., a non-profit status organization, founded by Dr. Lee Pao Yang. Yesterday I met with the group at one of their weekly meeting, held near Sacramento Asian Minority, Inc on Franklin Boulevard. This is a 160 acre agriculture zoned property, listed at 1.275 million, located in Galt, 20 minutes south of Sacramento. This property is considered Sacramento County.
The group is to hold an election to find a chairman to represent the project on January 7th, 2012. Currently the funds are coming from the individuals involved in this project. At this time there is no additional source of funding named. The group is hoping the community will fund the project. There is a $14,000 user permit in order to zone the property for special use and the common agriculture property loan requires a 35% down payment and business proposal on what the use of the land will be intended for.
12.8.2011
Today there will be a remembrance ceremony in honor of General Vang Pao's birthday at Hmong Palace Church, 6625 53rd Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95828.
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| Gift handed out by May Song Vang, GVP surviving wife, at event. (This was signed by Chee Vang, GVP Son) |
Phagna Norapamok General Vang Pao International Holiday First Annual Celebration Sacramento, California.
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| Chee Vang, GVP Son |
The remembrance ceremony was to mark the birthday of General Vang Pao who was born December 8, 1929. A local Sacramento International Holiday committee formed by 15 members, chaired by Tsucheng Vang, are pushing to have congress grant them an International General Vang Pao Day. The International Holiday Committee also have a vision to set up a memorial center for General Vang Pao.
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| May Song Vang, GVP wife |
The ceremony was started by May Song Vang, wife of the late General Vang Pao. lighting a candle. Speakers include Vaming Xiong and Pob Tsuas Thao. Special guest included Ray Thao, founder of the GVP monument, in Chico, CA. The event also included May Song Vang approving the petition for an annual international holiday for General Vang Pao.
The event started at 4pm and lasted until 11pm. People started leaving half way through the night. Mostly due to many speakers taking longer than their 3 minute allowed time. Food was provided but was not served until 11pm.
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| Letter of Support for International General Vang Pao Holiday |
12.10.11- A group of Hmong residents in Sacramento is meeting this Sunday to discuss plan to buy a 1.2 million agricultural property in Galt which is 20 minutes South of Sacramento, CA. This is a 160 acre parcel with an existing private airstrip and hanger. There is one house on the property. They plan to get the community to fund the project. I don't have all the details at this time and will update as I receive more accurate information.
