[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E828]]



                PROMOTE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN VIETNAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 1997

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues on the 
International Relations Committee to support the passage of H.R. 1253, 
the Foreign Relations Authorization Act and in particular section 217.
  This provision calls upon the administration to ensure that expanded 
trade relations with Vietnam will promote, and not hinder, Vietnam's 
progress toward democracy.
  As the Representative of the largest Vietnamese-American community in 
the United States, I am very concerned about the current situation in 
Vietnam.
  The U.S. State Department 1996 Report on Vietnam shows that the 
government continues to grossly violate human rights by incarcerating 
prisoners of conscience.
  While I believe in the Government of Vietnam's sovereign rights, we 
cannot ignore these offenses.
  Currently, thousands of religious leaders and political dissidents 
remain in harsh prison labor camps.
  As a symbol and promoter of freedom and democracy, the United States 
can influence and direct Vietnam toward a more democratic form of 
government where basic human and civil rights are respected.
  I urge you to put the pressure on Vietnam to respect human and civil 
rights by supporting this bill.

                          ____________________