[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE COMMUNIST REGIME IN VIETNAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2004

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, President Bush and his Administration have 
begun a new relationship with the communist regime in Vietnam. 
Recently, the Vietnamese Defense Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister 
traveled to Washington for historic visits with Defense Secretary 
Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell. Shortly 
thereafter, the U.S.S. Vandegrift entered the port of Ho Chi Minh City, 
the first U.S. warship to visit Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam 
War nearly three decades ago.
  This newly forged friendship between the Bush administration and the 
communist regime in Vietnam comes amidst continuous reports of human 
rights violations committed by the Vietnamese government.
  The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reports that 
almost forty Buddhist monks and lay leaders are in prison, under house 
arrest, or in re-education camps, as well as twenty Hmong Protestants 
and at least ten Catholic priests in detention.
  Freedom of speech in Vietnam is just as bad. According to a report by 
the Campaign for Freedom of Expression and Information in Vietnam, 
Vietnam's 500-plus newspapers and magazines are state-owned and 
vigorously censored while 2,000 of Vietnam's 5,000 websites are 
currently blocked for disseminating messages the state has deemed 
``subversive'' or ``reactionary.'' Worse yet is the case of a 
Vietnamese writer and journalist imprisoned just after he submitted 
written testimony to a Congressional Members' briefing that I 
sponsored.
  Yet, every time I write the State Department, I get the same 
response, but no action, just as the letter I am submitting for the 
Record today. The State Department tells me, in their words, ``we share 
your serious concern'' and are ``deeply troubled by the restrictions 
that the Government of Vietnam places on its citizens' freedom of 
expression, as well as other human rights.'' They tell me that 
``[p]romoting human rights is a priority in our bilateral relations 
with Vietnam.''
  If promoting human rights in Vietnam really is a priority for the 
Bush Administration, why are they having friendly meetings with high-
level Vietnamese officials without initially demanding protection of 
human rights?
  Why is the Bush Administration not, instead, condemning the communist 
regime in Vietnam for issuing a statement that attacks a human rights 
resolution this body passed with an overwhelming vote of 409-13? That 
Vietnamese statement, which I submit for the Record today, alleges that 
our Congressional resolution contains ``false'' and ``inaccurate'' 
information. Yet, our resolution is backed by reports from various 
respected human rights organizations, the U.S. Commission on 
International Religious Freedom and the U.S. State Department. Instead 
of condemning the reckless statement from Vietnam, the Bush 
Administration is embracing a communist regime it admits is a human 
rights violator.
  The Bush Administration's hypocrisy and apathetic attitude towards 
human rights is unacceptable. As long as the people of Vietnam are 
oppressed, abused, and imprisoned, our President should not get 
friendly with a communist regime without first demanding protection of 
human rights.

                                     U.S. Department of State,

                                 Washington, DC, January 13, 2004.
     Hon. Zoe Lofgren,
     House of Representatives.
       Dear Ms. Lofgren: This is in response to your December 30, 
     2003 letter to Secretary Powell concerning detained dissident 
     Mr. Nguyen Vu Binh in Vietnam. We share your serious concern 
     over his recent sentence and ongoing detention.
       The Department strongly condemned the harsh sentence given 
     to Binh on December 30, 2003. No individual should be 
     imprisoned for the peaceful expression of his views. The 
     sentencing of Binh clearly violates international standards 
     for the protection of human rights, including freedom of 
     expression. The U.S. Embassy sent an officer to the court, 
     but he was unable to gain access to the trial, despite 
     repeated oral and written requests to the Vietnamese 
     Government.
       We are deeply troubled by the restrictions that the 
     Government of Vietnam places on its citizens' freedom of 
     expression, as well as other human rights. These restrictions 
     violate international human rights instruments, including the 
     International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that 
     Vietnam has ratified. We consistently urge the Government of 
     Vietnam to adhere to its international obligations to protect 
     the human rights of its citizens. The Government of Vietnam 
     should release Mr. Binh and all others detained or imprisoned 
     for the peaceful expression of their views.
       Promoting human rights is a priority in our bilateral 
     relations with Vietnam. We will continue to press the 
     Government of Vietnam to take steps to improve its human 
     rights record.
       Let me assure you that our efforts to promote human rights 
     and freedom in Vietnam continue undiminished. Please do not 
     hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.
           Sincerely,

                                              Michael C. Polt,

                                       Acting Assistant Secretary,
     Legislative Affairs.
                                  ____



                                           Embassy of Vietnam,

                                Washington, DC, November 28, 2003.
     Hon. Zoe Lofgren,
     U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the 
     United States of America presents its compliments to the 
     Office of the Honorable Zoe Lofgren and has the honor to 
     forward herewith the faxed copy of the Statement of the 
     National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with 
     regard to passing by the US House of Representatives of H. 
     Res. 427.
       The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam avails 
     itself of this opportunity to renew to the Office of the 
     Honorable Zoe Lofgren the assurances of its consideration.

Statement of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

       The National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
     altogether rejects H. Res. 427 Resolution adopted on 19th 
     November 2003 by the United States House of Representatives 
     and the Resolution adopted on 20th November 2003 by the 
     European Parliament on the so-called ``situation of religious 
     freedom in Vietnam''. These wrongful, negative resolutions do 
     not serve the relations between the United States and the 
     European Union on the one hand and Vietnam on the other.
       Alleging false, inaccurate information provided by a 
     handful of extremist elements who take advantage of the 
     mantle of religion and in pursuit of political goals, distort 
     the founding history of the Buddhist Church of Vietnam after 
     the reunification of the country these resolutions slander 
     the policies and practice of religious freedom in Vietnam. 
     Today's so-called ``United Buddhist Church of Vietnam'' is 
     nothing but a grouping of individuals who are driven by 
     personal ambition and political motives to act against the 
     nation's interest. As a result of their blatant violation of 
     the law and of their attempts to spur confrontation and sow 
     division among the Buddhist followers, this grouping stands 
     completely isolated from the Buddhist congregation and the 
     national community of Vietnam.
       Expressing the will of the Vietnamese people, the National 
     Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam supports the 
     consolidation and development of Vietnam's relations with the 
     United States and the European Union on the basis of mutual 
     respect for their respective independence and sovereignty, of 
     non-interference into each other's internal affairs and of 
     mutually beneficial cooperation on an equal footing.
       In that spirit, the National Assembly of the Socialist 
     Republic of Vietnam urges that the US House of 
     Representatives and the European Parliament stop lending 
     their support to actions that slander the actual situation of 
     religion in Vietnam and undermine mutually beneficial 
     cooperation with Vietnam. At the same time, the National 
     Assembly of Vietnam consistently advocates the enhancement of 
     mutual understanding and narrowing down of differences 
     through dialogue with the US Congress and congressmen as well 
     as with the European Parliament and its members, for the sake 
     of the long-term interests of the nations concerned, and of 
     peace, cooperation and development in the world.
                                         Hanoi, 26 November, 2003.




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