[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 11, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S9694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NORMALIZATION WITH VIETNAM

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, as anticipated today, President Clinton, in 
a ceremony at the White House, announced that he was taking steps to 
normalize U.S. diplomatic relations with the Socialist Republic of 
Vietnam.
  In his statement, President Clinton cited progress in POW/MIA 
cooperation. But, unfortunately the President did not address the 
central issue, and that is, does Vietnam continue to withhold 
information and remains which could easily be provided?
  The President ignored this question in announcing his decision, for 
the very good reason that all signs point to Vietnam willfully 
withholding information which could resolve the fate of many Americans 
lost in the war.
  On Veterans Day in 1992, President-elect Clinton stated, ``There will 
be no normalization of relations with any nation that is at all 
suspected of withholding any information.'' That was President-elect 
Clinton's standard. The standard was not simply cooperation.
  The standard was not simply allowing field operations. The 1992 
standard was at all suspected of withholding any information. No 
normalization if there is any suspicion of any withholding of any 
information. By 1994, the standard has clearly changed from suspected 
of withholding information to selective cooperation. As I said 
yesterday on the Senate floor at about this same time, if President 
Clinton was unable to state unequivocally that Vietnam had done all it 
could do, it would be a strategic, diplomatic, and moral mistake to 
begin business as usual with Vietnam.
  President Clinton has made his decision today. Congress has no say in 
this decision. In the coming weeks and months, Congress will monitor 
the progress of relations with Vietnam. Our role will not be passive. 
Congress must approve any additional funds for United States diplomatic 
operations in Vietnam. The Senate must confirm any U.S. Ambassador to 
Vietnam. Any further improvement in relations will require action by 
Congress--granting of most-favored-nation status or beginning any 
operations by the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment 
Corporation, or the Trade and Development Agency.
  President Clinton said today that we should look to the future. I 
agree that we should look to the future, and examine future Vietnamese 
cooperation on POW/MIA issues, as well their record on human rights in 
the aftermath of today's announcement. But as we look to the future we 
should not and will not forget the past--especially the importance of 
doing all we can to resolve the fate of those Americans who made the 
ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
  Mr. President, I yield the remainder of my leader time to the 
distinguished Senator from North Carolina.
  Mr. HELMS addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina.
  Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina is recognized 
for 3 minutes.
  Mr. HELMS. Three minutes. Well, I will make haste, then.
  I thank the distinguished majority leader.

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