Laos reporters 'may soon be free'

The men were reporting in an area off-limits to foreign media

Two European journalists and an American interpreter, who were given 15-year jail sentences by a court in Laos on Monday, could soon be free, according to the Laotian foreign minister.

Somsavath Lengsavath said that if the three men's governments officially petitioned Laos for their release, "we will consider (it) soon".

French cameraman Vincent Reynaud, Belgian photojournalist Thierry Falise and American pastor Naw Karl Mua were sentenced on Monday on charges of obstructing the work of the police, and possessing a weapon and an explosive device.

Their sentences were immediately condemned by human rights groups and the governments of the men involved.

But on Wednesday there were signs that their sentences might be commuted, when the Laotian ambassador to France said the men "could be free in days".

Ambassador Pathammavong denied that the possible release of the men was linked to fears that aid to Laos would be cut.

"We are an independent country. We have received aid, but without conditions," he said.

According to numerous human rights reports... many of the Hmong in Laos have a poor standard of living, and often feel marginalised by the authorities

The Hmong: Forgotten people of Laos

But earlier Robert Menard, head of press watchdog Reporters without Borders, said the threat of sanctions was real.

"It is a country that lives off international aid, we must make it understand that it could pay dearly for behaving like a rogue nation," he said.

Former colonial power France has yet to decide whether to join Thailand in helping to fund the first railway in Laos, which is expected to cost $4m.

Human rights activists believe heavy sentences were handed down because the journalists were trying to cover the little-known conflict between ethnic Hmong rebel groups and the Laotian army.

The Laos Government denies the existence of the rebels, and bars journalists from operating in the country without official supervision.

Little is known about the fate of several ethnic Hmong arrested at the same time as the foreigners.

According to the Associated Press news agency, they also received 15-year sentences.

BBC South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says that in the past, opponents of the country's strict communist regime have disappeared after being arrested.