[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 31 (Thursday, March 19, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NO WAIVER OF JACKSON-VANIK

  (Mr. ROYCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, 1 week ago the administration issued a waiver 
of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, opening the way for OPIC and Exim funds 
to filter into Vietnam. I was expecting this decision to come from the 
administration; however, I had hoped that common sense would guide that 
decision. Vietnam is a Communist country. Its citizens enjoy no 
religious freedom, little economic freedom, and no freedom to vote, and 
it is not getting better.
  The recent promotion of a hard-line Communist to the Secretary 
General position, a man who once stated that his government has 
concerns that foreigners are somehow out to undermine Vietnam's 
independence, has stalled all hopes of changing the economy in Vietnam. 
Vietnam is not ready for OPIC. Your support or opposition to OPIC and 
Exim is not in question here. What is is the government subsidies for 
businesses in Communist Vietnam.
  In anticipation of this decision by the administration, I introduced 
H.R. 3159, legislation which will now make this waiver null and void. 
The United States should not extend these benefits to a country that 
has done little in the way of granting freedom to its citizens. I ask 
my colleagues to cosponsor this important legislation.

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