MISSING PERSONS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005527391
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 21, 2011
• Case Number: F-2010-01070
• Publication Date: December 6, 1968

DRAFT -December 6, 196$
TO MGDR
FROM DP via President
SUBJECT Missing Persons
Reference: PMVTE-b$-1270 dated 31 July 19b$
Attachments: 1. POVTE-b8-171,,8 dated lg October 19b8 with ICf~S attached
2. Letter e~~essee~ (iri French) addressed to Sot Pethrasi
dated October 26, 1~6$
3, Newspaper Article from Bangkok Post dated November 9, 196$
!~. BMVTE-b$-232 dated November 21, 196$
The attached attachments indicate the continued efforts by PM-VTE to
of the missing employees presumed
to be held captive by the Pathet Lao.
From the first attachment it appears that the U.S. Embassy, Vientiane in
its contacts with the Pathet Lao has given the impression to the latter
that all personnel detained were of U.S. military origin.
PM-VTE believes this is a disadvantage from a bargaining point of view and
he opines our employees would stand a better, chance of being released if
a distinction were made between them and U.~. military personnel. This is
his intention if and when he manages to arrange a meeting with Mr. Sot
Pethrasi, Pathet Lao representative. In this quest he wrote attachment 2
requesting an appointment with Mr. Pethrasi after approval was obtained from
embassy off icials and BMVTE. PM-VTE received no response to his letter and
we understand he either wrote a second letter for an appointment or is pursuing
the matter as outlined in attachment 1,..
The newspaper article, attachment 3, appears to be in error proclaiming that
DeBru3n was a British resident of Hong Kong, which we believe is a switch of
identities and refers to Yik Chiu To, one of the~f our men, the other three
being Thai, depicted as Americans in the story, that were detained with UeBruin.
APPROVED FOR
RELEASES DATE:
16-Aug-2011
 Mr. James Murphy, Political Section, U.S. ~nbassy, Vientiane, has indicated to
PM-VTE that he strongly believes I~eBruin to be alive, there is no conclusive
e
proof one way or the other, because of recent propanganda leaflets that have
come into his hands .containing DeBruin~s picture, albeit PM-VTE has not seen
Since it appears that we have~ot retained a copy of the debriefing interview
(attached to PND DP-67/2182-5 dated May 15, 1967, Sub~eets Draft Letter to
', ~
Mrs. Y. C. To) held with Pisihdi Indradat after his release ~ December 1966,
we would appreciate it if you would forward us a copy~as the contents may
prove helpful in being able to identify the remaining missing employees of
the B-150 incident of September 1963.
We gill keep you advised of any future developments.
 cc: PM via BM-VTE: It seems that all your recent efforts have been concentrated
on DeBruin. If this is correct we are concerned about the
other missing employees, all those set forth i.n P1VD-PA-b$/2575
dated 1$ June 196$, and what is being done to learn their
status. As individuals all the missing employees should be
treated equally without any specis,l attention being given to
one. In this regard the U.S. Embassy could be the root of
this concentration of effort because of DeBruin, but as a
Company, which you are representing, we feel that our concern
be
and effort should/directed for all and not just one individual.
Apart from this it appears your efforts are making headway and
perhaps with your latest contact positive results will be
forthcoming. Let's hope so for all concerned.
~-_` qq -~
File (2) ,.,~o"~..~,. ~., ?~~ ~,...,~_~..~-~ ~ ~~'~~.
B150
P/Files (6)