Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Washington, D.C., November 21, 2003

Dear Colleague:

This week the USS Vandergrift, a US Navy Frigate, is calling port in the former city of Saigon in the first visit of a US Navy ship to Vietnam in almost 30 years. This visit heralds in a new era in relations with our former adversary. Therefore, we ask you to consider the great strides made in our relationship with Vietnam since the end of hostilities.


The search for missing American soldiers

For nearly 20 years we have been cooperating with Vietnam to recover and identify missing service members. Of the 913 missing Americans 412 have been accounted for, and 140 remains have been delivered to their families since 1993. Recently, Secretary Rumsfeld met with Vietnamese Defense Minister Pham Van Tran in Washington to discuss continued cooperation in this mission.

Growing trade opportunities for American businesses
Since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1993, US exports to Vietnam have grown from $7 million annually to almost $1.2 billion for the year to date. This includes the recent purchase of wide-body Boeing airplanes for their flag carrier. We have a bi-lateral trade agreement, textile quotas, and a civil aviation agreement.

Moving towards a Market Economy

Vietnam has made tremendous strides in reforming its regulations on international investment, banking sector and other service sectors, and its trade regime and has departed from Marxist oriented economics permanently. Observers believe that Vietnam's progress in economic restructuring will make it possible for Vietnam to meet its goal of WTO membership in 2005.

Human Rights and Freedoms

Twenty years ago membership in an unapproved religion, free travel, and contemptuous speech could be subject to harsh punishment in Vietnam. But, in the Vietnam of today, people have many more freedoms and do not fear reaction from their government as they once did. Widespread religious services and pilgrimages are regular occurrences; labor rights are improving; the internet is readily accessible to the masses; and scholarly exchanges are frequent. Vietnam must improve human rights, but there is no question it has come a long way since its authoritarian past and is continuing to work towards a more open and free society.

Our sailors visiting Saigon this week will experience an entirely different country than our soldiers last saw thirty years ago. Vietnam is readily embracing the United States and looking forward to a continuously improving relationship. We should not turn our backs on Vietnam at a time when we need solid alliances in the Pacific Rim

Sincerely,
/s /s
LANE EVANS ROB SIMMONS
Member of Congress Member of Congress