[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 231 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 231

 Urging the President to make clear to the Government of the Socialist 
Republic of Vietnam the commitment of the American people in support of 
  democracy and religious and economic freedom for the people of the 
                     Socialist Republic of Vietnam.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 17, 1997

 Mr. Rohrabacher (for himself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Royce, Mr. 
Hunter, and Mr. Burton of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; 
     which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Urging the President to make clear to the Government of the Socialist 
Republic of Vietnam the commitment of the American people in support of 
  democracy and religious and economic freedom for the people of the 
                     Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Whereas, since May 1997, non-violent demonstrations supporting democracy, 
        religious freedom, and clean government have occurred throughout Thai 
        Binh, Thanh Hoa, Hung Yen and Nghe An provinces in northern Vietnam and 
        in Long Khanh, Bien Hoa and Ba Ria provinces in southern Vietnam;
Whereas between 100 and 200 leaders of the demonstrations have been arrested;
Whereas the criminal law of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is used to punish 
        advocates of political pluralism and religious freedom, and on April 14, 
        1997, an administrative decree was signed into law granting enhanced 
        judicial powers to the security forces to place under house arrest or 
        subject to reeducation camps, for up to two years, any civilians 
        expected of ``endangering national security'';
Whereas the leaders of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam are seeking to expand 
        trade relations with the United States;
Whereas there is widespread discontent within the foreign business community in 
        the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with some companies pulling out 
        entirely, others freezing new investments, and nearly all complaining 
        about endemic corruption, intransigent bureaucracy, and a lack of clear 
        commitment to legitimate economic reform;
Whereas, in August 1997, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported 
        that child labor exploitation is on the rise in the Socialist Republic 
        of Vietnam with tens of thousands of children under 15 years of age 
        laboring in gold and coal mines, often for 14 hours per day with meager 
        or no payment; and
Whereas the United States, as the leader of the free world, has responsibility 
        to promote political and economic freedom throughout the world: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) urges the Government of the Socialist Republic of 
        Vietnam to release immediately and unconditionally all 
        political prisoners, including Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, Prof. Doan 
        Viet Hoat, Venerable Thich Quang Do, Reverend Pham Minh Tri, 
        and evangelist To Dinh Trung, with full restoration of their 
        civil and human rights;
            (2) requests the President to make clear to the leadership 
        of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam--
                    (A) the firm commitment of the American people to 
                political and religious and economic freedom for the 
                people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and
                    (B) the United States fully expects equal 
                protection under the law to all Vietnamese, regardless 
                of religious belief, political philosophy, or previous 
                association; and
            (3) urges the Government of the Socialist Republic of 
        Vietnam--
                    (A) to permit all political organizations in the 
                Socialist Republic of Vietnam to function without 
                intimidation or harassment; and
                    (B) to announce a framework and timetable for free 
                and fair elections under the sponsorship of the United 
                Nations that will allow the Vietnamese people to 
                peacefully choose their local and national leaders.

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