[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  LEADERS PROMOTE DEMOCRACY IN VIETNAM

  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, last week I hosted a meeting of the 
International Committee for a Free Vietnam [ICFV] which resulted in the 
drafting and presentation of a resolution which promotes democracy in 
Vietnam, particularly individual freedoms and human rights. Joining us 
were Parliamentary leaders from Europe, Canada, and Australia. Since 
Vietnamese leaders will hold their Eighth Party Congress in June, it is 
important that we communicate the reforms recommended in the resolution 
to the Vietnamese, to continue the dialogue begun as we continue to 
normalize our relations with Vietnam.
  While at the meeting, I was disturbed to learn that a distinguished 
member of the group Col. Bui Tin, a former member of the Vietnamese 
Communist Party, received a death threat which was alleged to originate 
from Vietnamese Government sources. He is not the only one who has 
received these threats, but he is the only one with whom I am 
personally acquainted. It was very disappointing to me to hear this, 
just at the time we hope to improve our relationship with Vietnam.
  Col. Bui Tin, a resident of Europe, has done nothing but advocate 
democratic reforms in Vietnam, consistent with the first-amendment 
rights we have in our country. He does so out of concern for the people 
of Vietnam, where he was a soldier for over 37 years.
  I join many of my colleagues in urging the leaders of Vietnam to 
cease this kind of threat, which is just as egregious, if not more, as 
the continuing imprisonment of many political prisoners in Vietnam 
today.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the resolution of the ICFV 
adopted on April 24, 1996, be printed in the Record for the information 
of all Senators.
  There being no objection, the text of the resolution was ordered to 
be printed in the Record, as follows:

         Resolution of the ICFV, Washington, DC, April 24, 1996

       1. The representatives of the I.C.F.V. present at this 
     conference are united in this support for:
       1.1. The rule of law, multiparty politics, free elections, 
     the release of political prisoners and prisoners of 
     conscience;
       1.2. The recognition and implementation of human rights, 
     including the rights of free speech, freedom of association, 
     freedom of religious belief, and freedom from arbitrary 
     arrest, freedom to work; and
       1.3. The obligation of all governments to consult their 
     people and to govern in accordance with their wishes.
       2. Thus I.C.F.V. urges all parliamentary democracies to 
     support and extend assistance to the people of Vietnam on the 
     basis that the forthcoming Communist Party Congress 
     recognizes the principles embraced by this conference and 
     that the party and the Vietnamese government implement such 
     principles.
       3. The conference recognizes the immense importance of 
     accurate and fair information on current events and issues 
     being made available to the people of Asia including Vietnam.
       4. The conference urges the Parliaments of the countries 
     represented here including Australia, Canada, various 
     European countries and the U.S.A. to make funds available for 
     enlarging existing surrogate home radio services to Asia, to 
     broadcast otherwise unavailable news and current information 
     to the countries of the region.
       5. The conference urges the government of the United States 
     to promote Radio Free Asia.
       6. The representative of the I.C.F.V. will seek to open a 
     meaningful, comprehensive dialogue with representatives of 
     the Vietnamese government and Communist party.
       7. The conference expresses its appreciation for those 
     courageous persons in Vietnam who speak out for truth, 
     democratic values and human rights.
       8. The conference reaffirms the I.C.F.V.'s commitment to 
     democratic and nonviolent change in Vietnam.

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