US lawyers call accused Laos coup leaders "heroes"

By Suzanne Hurt

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 5 (Reuters) - A Hmong leader and others charged with attempting to overthrow the Communist government in Laos are heroes with high integrity who oppose violence, their attorneys said on Tuesday.

Ten people, including retired U.S. Army officer Harrison Ulrich Jack, 60, were arrested and charged on Monday with conspiring to violate the federal Neutrality Act by planning to foster a coup in Laos, a country with which the United States is not at war.

One of the group, Pao Vang, is a 77-year-old former general in the Royal Lao Army who many consider a leader of the Hmong people. He led Hmongs in fighting against the Communist Pathet Lao and allied with the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

"General Vang Pao stands wrongly accused of the criminal charges against him," his court-appointed attorney, John Balazs, told reporters. "Since immigrating to the United States in 1975, General Vang Pao has been a tireless advocate for democracy, human rights and the Hmong people. (He) has worked actively to pursue peaceful solutions to the problems in Laos and has disavowed violence."

Balazs, who had represented Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski, made his comments after Vang's initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Sacramento.

Vang appeared solemn and bowed his head as he entered the packed courtroom with two other defendants, Locha Thao and Lo Thao, president of Hmong United International, an exile political organization.

All three wore orange jumpsuits and were shackled at the wrists, waist and ankles.

Vang and Thao listened to proceedings via an interpreter. Locha Thao, who speaks English, was born in Laos and lived in refugee camps in Thailand before emigrating and becoming an aide to three Wisconsin state senators.

"These are individuals who have strong feelings about things that go on with Hmongs in Laos," said Locha Thao's attorney Mark Reichel.

Vang led Hmong soldiers' efforts to rescue downed American pilots and provide ground support that included guiding American military advisors in remote sections of Laos, said Balazs and a Sacramento Hmong leader, Lue Vang.

Many Hmongs left Laos after the Communists took power at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

Vang is considered the leader of the Hmong internationally, said Vue, an administrator with the Sacramento school district.

"Vang Pao is our leader, our father, our hero," he said.

Bail hearings were set for Friday and Monday.