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Vietnam News Briefs
April 25, 2003

US CONGRESSMAN CHANGES ATTITUDE TO VIETNAM'S HUMAN RIGHTS
  
   Robert R.Simmons, member of the US House of Representatives, openly
   expressed his satisfaction upon witnessing progress in promoting human
   rights in Vietnam and said he had changed his mind about the issue.
   Mr Simmons, who recently concluded a visit to Vietnam to join in the
   search for the remains of US soldiers missing in action (or MIA), was
   among a number of US congressmen accusing the Vietnamese Government
   last year of violating human rights and suppressing religious groups
   and dissidents in the country.

   He said he would not vote for the recent report on Vietnam's human
   rights being tabled by three US congressmen in the Lower House because
   he had altered his thinking. "That was due to my returning to Vietnam
   for the first time , which helped me to see changes being made," he
   said. Mr Simmons also said the report, although it may be approved by
   the House of Representatives, would face difficulties in the Senate
   where there are many pro-Vietnam members, such as John Kerry, John
   McCain and Chuck Hagel.

   There are also many Senators that are veterans who have a good
   understanding of Vietnam as they have returned to visit the country,
   he said. They fully acknowledge that the report will damage friendly
   relations between Vietnam and the US if it is approved.

   More US congressmen should come to Vietnam to fully understand the
   country and its changes, Mr Simmons said. "The war has passed and both
   countries and peoples must go ahead to build a "stronger bridge" for
   future relationships."

   During his trip to Vietnam, Mr Simmons held talks with the Vietnamese
   Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Dy Nien, Deputy Minister of Defense
   Nguyen Huy Hieu and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phuc
   Thanh.

   His search group has this time found several remains of US soldiers,
   including that of pilot Arnold E.Holm, a friend of Simmons.
   Vietnam has so far handed over the remains of 800 MIA to the US since
   1973. The finds were the result of a joint search by the Vietnam
   Office for MIAs and the US Joint Task Force-Full Accounting.