POSITIVE RELATIONS WITH VIETNAM

Dear Colleague:

On Wednesday, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 1587, the "Viet Nam Human Rights Act of 2003."  We urge you to consider a different perspective on the situation in Vietnam.

It's been nearly 10 years since the normalization of relations between the United States and Vietnam.  During that time, our nations have fostered a new relationship that is based on respect and mutual understanding.  Some of the positive developments include:

• Through May 2004, the U.S. and Vietnam have conducted 93 joint missions resulting in the recovery of 822 remains and identifying and returning more than 500 U.S. personnel remains to their loved ones.

• After nearly five years under a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) the U.S. has now become Vietnam's largest trading partner.

• Sailing into the Port of Ho Chi Minh City in November 2003, the U.S.S. Vandergrift became the first U.S. Navy vessel to visit Vietnam in nearly 30 years.  Plans now exist for a second such U.S. Navy visit later this year to Danang, home of legendary "China Beach."  These visits foster improved military-to-military relations.

• On June 23, 2004, President Bush announced that Vietnam would be added as the 15th focus country of the Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS.  The President stated, "Now, after long analysis by our staff, we believe that Vietnam deserves this special help.  We're putting a history of bitterness behind us."  He continued, "Together we'll fight the disease.  You've got a friend in America."

• Jerry Jennings, Deputy Assistant Secretary for POW/MIA Affairs visited Vietnam in early June 2004, and returned to the U.S. with breakthrough news relating to U.S. access to Vietnamese national archives, stating, "I'm very pleased at the outcome of our discussions here.  This commitment from the highest levels of the Vietnamese government offers us the opportunity to achieve significant results."

These examples illustrate real progress in this developing relationship.  As the co-chairs of the U.S.-Vietnam Caucus formed to promote this growing relationship, we ask that you join us in voting "NO" on H.R. 1587.

All the best,
/s                                                            /s
Rob Simmons                                         Lane Evans
Member of Congress                              Member of Congress