    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 2, 1993]
    [Pages 990-991]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on United States Policy Toward Vietnam
    July 2, 1993

        It has always been my firm belief that America's highest priority in
    its approach toward Vietnam is to secure a full accounting on our
    prisoners of war and missing in action. Today I am announcing two new
    steps toward that goal. The first involves access by Vietnam to the
    International Monetary Fund. The second is my decision to send a new
    high-level delegation to Vietnam to press for further progress on
    unresolved POW/MIA issues. Together, these steps offer the best hope of
    providing America's POW/MIA families the answers and peace of mind they
    deserve.
        Over the past several months, I have given intense thought to how
    best to achieve the fullest possible accounting for our POW/MIA's and
    how to shape U.S. policy toward Vietnam to achieve that goal. I have met
    with veterans, with the families whose loved ones have not returned, and
    with Members of Congress who have a strong interest in this issue,
    including some who were held as prisoners of war.
        Last night I met with a group of impressive, dedicated
    representatives of veterans organizations and families who care deeply
    about our Government's efforts to achieve the fullest possible
    accounting of our missing. They share my own belief that our policy
    toward Vietnam must be driven not by commercial interests but by the
    overriding purpose of achieving further progress toward the fullest
    possible accounting of our POW/MIA's. Vietnam has long been a divisive
    issue for America. It remains so today. I know there is strong
    disagreement among all those with an interest in the POW/MIA issue on
    how best to further our mutual goal. Where there is no disagreement,
    however, is on the need to ensure that any decision taken is made in
    answer to the only relevant question: Will it help us discover the truth
    about our missing?
        One of the tragedies of this issue is that our own Government has
    often denied unnecessarily information about this issue to the American
    public. That is why I have instructed all U.S. Government POW/MIA
    related documents to be declassified by Veterans Day of this year,
    except for that tiny fraction that could still affect our national
    security or invade the privacy of the families. I have also been working
    to consolidate the POW/MIA agencies and resources to enhance the
    efficiency of these operations and access by the public. They have a
    right to know, and I intend to ensure they do.
        Since taking office, I have reviewed the progress made to date in
    resolving unanswered questions concerning the fate of American service
    personnel who did not return from Vietnam. I have insisted on the
    fullest possible accounting from the Vietnamese Government and pressed
    for further progress. As part of this effort, I dispatched Gen. John
    Vessey to Vietnam last April as my Special Emissary for POW/MIA Affairs
    to press for further progress. In addition, Members of Congress and
    representatives of

    [[Page 991]]

    veterans groups have traveled to Vietnam to press for that goal.
        In an effort to encourage further progress, it is appropriate at
    this time to recognize what the Vietnamese have done in our effort to
    account for our missing. Attached is a summary outlining that progress.
    Therefore, I have decided to end our opposition to the efforts of other
    nations to clear Vietnam's arrears in the IMF. I believe, as do former
    POW's John McCain and Douglas ``Pete'' Peterson and other veterans such
    as John Kerry and others in Congress, that such action will best serve
    the goal of achieving further progress toward the fullest possible
    acccounting.
        Any further steps in U.S.-Vietnamese relations will strictly depend
    on further progress by the Vietnamese on the POW/MIA issue. We should
    not be swayed from that course; America owes no less to the brave men
    and women who fought in Vietnam and to their loved ones. Progress to
    date is simply not sufficient to warrant any change in our trade embargo
    or any further steps toward normalization.
        In order to press for further progress and send a clear message to
    the Vietnamese Government, I will send to Hanoi a high-level delegation.
    The official delegation will include Deputy Secretary of Veterans
    Affairs Hershel Gober, Assistant Secretary of State Winston Lord, and
    Lt. Gen. Michael E. Ryan.
        I also have invited representatives of the three largest veterans
    groups to accompany the delegation. The American Legion, the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans have each agreed to
    send representatives with the delegation, and I am grateful for their
    willingness to participate in this important mission. In addition, I
    have invited the National League of Families of American Prisoners and
    Missing in Southeast Asia to send a representative. I have also asked
    our current Ambassador in Thailand, David Floyd Lambertson, who has
    extensive experience in Vietnam, to assist the delegation.
        The delegation will make clear to the Vietnamese that any further
    steps in relations between our two nations depend on tangible progress
    on the outstanding POW/MIA cases. We insist upon efforts by the
    Vietnamese in four key areas:

    Remains: Concrete results from efforts on their part to recover remains
    and repatriate American remains.

    Discrepancy cases: Continued resolution of 92 discrepancy cases, live
    sightings, and field activities.

    Laos: Further assistance in implementing trilateral investigation with
    the Lao.

    Archives: Accelerated efforts to provide all POW/MIA related documents
    that will help lead to genuine answers.

        The individuals on this delegation share my own determination to do
    all we can to find the truth surrounding those who did not come home.
    They will press hard for results.
        The delegation will also raise with the Vietnamese continuing human
    rights concerns and press for progress in the areas of basic freedoms,
    democracy, and economic reform.
        For many Americans, the Vietnam war left deep wounds that have yet
    to heal. One of the ways to help the process of healing is to help the
    friends and families of POW's and MIA's learn the truth. The steps I
    have outlined today will advance that goal.