Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Dear Sir/Madam,

Over the last decade, under both the Repulican and Democratic administrations, the peoples and governments of Vietnam and the United States have made numerous joint efforts to heal the wounds left by the war and normalize relations between our two countries. By working very hard together we have come much closer to normal and friendly terms with each other. The long-cherished desire of our people will soon come true with the prompt approval of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by the US Congress and the Vietnamese National Assembly respectively. The implementation of the BTA will bring our ties into a new era of widening cooperation in many areas. These endeavors not only serve the interests of our peoples but also peace, stability and development in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific. The opportunities our relationship enjoys today, though still fragile, are the best ever.

Only after 26 years since the end of the war could we have achieved these progesses by getting over a lot of harships and pains. These achievements are also attributed to the 16 Vietnamese and Americans who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident on April 7, 2001 in their humanitarian mission to search for American missing servicemen. Their sacrifice has truly become the token of our full cooperation in solving humanitarian issues. Their sacrifice reminds and demands us not break our sensitive ties that we have just together built. 26 years is conceivably a very long time for reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States!

Today, Vietnam is a country, not a war!

More than anyone else, the Vietnamese people wish to have peace and stability to develop the country and to be friends with all nations across the world. Our renovation cause is welcomed and endorsed by the American people as well as the international community. The U.S. has started some humanitarian aids to Vietnam, provided technical assistance to the implementation of the BTA, supported our efforts for further economic integration. By providing Vietnam with development aid, the U.S. could help to heal so many wounds of the past in the country and this is truly a humanitarian work that many other countries, including those that were not involved in the war, are doing in Vietnam. The more understanding, confidence, friendship and cooperation we could build, the less pains we feel.

However, the new opportunities for the U.S-Vietnam cooperation are now at stake due to attempts made by some people in the U.S. Among other things, the