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Case Number: 2014-1060-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the Clinton Presidential
Library Staff.
Original OA/ID Number:
2014
Document ID:
9800793
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
V
45
4
5
3
CONFIDENTIAL
RECORD ID: 9800793
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 03 FEB 98 15
TO: ALARID, JAKE
ET AL
FROM: PRESIDENT
DOC DATE: 06 APR 98
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: VIETNAM
HUMAN RIGHTS
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
EMIGRATION
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: ADDRESSING CONCERNS RE JACKSON-VANIK WAIVER FOR VIETNAM
ACTION: FOR DISPATCH
DUE DATE: 14 FEB 98 STATUS: C
STAFF OFFICER: GAGNON
LOGREF: 9800918 9801213
FILES: PA
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
WH STRIPPING DESK
BAKER
BOUCHARD
GAGNON
KRISTOFF
2
NSC CHRON
SCHWARTZ
COMMENTS:
DISPATCHED BY 0
DATE 47
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSSWD
CLOSED BY: NSTSM
DOC 5 OF 5
DECLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
E.O. 13526
White House Guidelines, September 11, 2006
By КВИ NARA, Date 8-28-2014
2014-1060-F
CONF IDENTIAL
RECORD ID: 9800793
ACTION DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC ACTION OFFICER
CAO ASSIGNED ACTION REQUIRED
001 GAGNON
Z 98020315 PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
002 BERGER
Z 98021816 FWD TO PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE
002 GAGNON
Z 98022518 FOR FURTHER ACTION
003 BERGER
Z 98030212 FWD TO PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE
003 KRISTOFF
Z 98031614 FOR FURTHER ACTION
003 BERGER
Z 98031813 FWD TO PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE
004 PRESIDENT
Z 98032311 FOR SIGNATURE
005
X 98040716 PRESIDENT SGD LTRS
005 WH STRIPPING DESK
X 98040716 FOR DISPATCH
DISPATCH DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC DATE
DISPATCH FOR ACTION
DISPATCH FOR INFO
004 980323
VICE PRESIDENT
004 980323
WH CHIEF OF STAFF
005 980406 ALARID, JAKE
005 980406 GRIFFITHS, ANN
005 980406 SOMMER, JOHN
005 980406 WH STRIPPING DESK
CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9800793
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 03 FEB 98 15
TO: PRESIDENT
FROM: SOMMER, JOHN
DOC DATE: 02 FEB 98
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: VIETNAM
HUMAN RIGHTS
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
EMIGRATION
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: AMER LEGION RE WAIVER OF JACKSON - VANIK FOR VIETNAM
ACTION: PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
DUE DATE: 14 FEB 98 STATUS: S
STAFF OFFICER: GAGNON
LOGREF:
FILES: WH
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
GAGNON
CLARKE
BAKER
SCHWARTZ
BUSBY
Baker
KRISTOFF
COMMENTS:
DISPATCHED BY
DATE
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSSWD
CLOSED BY:
DOC 1 OF 1
UNCLASSIFIED
- 0793
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
Jim Gashon-
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pkgs awaiting approval of the
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Canada 1997
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CANADA'S YEAR
OF ASIA PACIFIC
1997 L'ANNÉE
CANADIENNE DE
1
L'ASIE-PACIFIQUE
National Security Council
The White House
PROOFED BY:
LOG # 0793
URGENT NOT PROOFED:
SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS
BYPASSED WW DESK:
DOCLOG TMA A/O
SEQUENCE TO
INITIAL/DATE
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Exec Sec Office has diskette
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PROOFED BY:
LOG # 0793 REDO
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0793 Redo
PROOFED BY:
LOG #
URGENT NOT PROOFED:
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DOCLOG TMA A/O
SEQUENCE TO
INITIAL/DATE
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D = Dispatch
R = Retain
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PROOFED BY:
LOG # 0793
URGENT NOT PROOFED:
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COMMENTS:
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PROOFED BY:
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N = No Further Action
CC:
CC:
COMMENTS:
COMMENTS:
edits
Date april 6, 1998 ?
'98 MAR 17 PM 4:08
translated a
'98 APR 7 pm 1:10
Tab A
Exec Sec Office has diskette
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National Security Council
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0793 Redo
PROOFED BY:
LOG #
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0793
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COMMENTS:
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0793
0793
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
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read twice.
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CANADA'S YEAR
OF ASIA PACIFIC
1997 L'ANNÉE
CANADIENNE DE
L'ASIE-PACIFIQUE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 6, 1998
Dear Mr. Alarid:
Thank you for your letter regarding a Jackson-Vanik waiver to
Vietnam. I understand your concerns about moving forward with
the waiver, but I believe this course is the right one and will
help us advance our objectives with Vietnam.
First, I want to assure you that achieving the fullest possible
accounting for our POW/MIA's remains the top priority in our
bilateral relations with Vietnam. I am fully committed to this
effort and will exhaust every possible lead to determine the
fate of those still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
Vietnam's cooperation in our efforts has improved significantly
over the past several years and this cooperation has enabled us
to take incremental steps to normalize our relations in other
areas.
Similarly, I share the importance you attach to Vietnam's policy
on emigration. Through the efforts of Ambassador Pete Peterson,
Vietnam agreed to revise emigration regulations, which allowed
the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to
expedite interviews of Vietnamese eligible for the Resettlement
Opportunity for Vietnamese Returnee (ROVR) program. The change
has increased significantly the number of ROVR candidates being
processed by the INS. The Vietnamese authorities have located
and appr ved for interview 14,000 of the estimated 18,000
persons we believe are eligible to participate in ROVR. Vietnam
also has established a solid record in its implementation of the
Orderly Departure and AMERASIAN programs. The Jackson-Vanik
waiver will build on this momentum and encourage the Vietnamese
government to take further steps toward implementing a system
that offers its people the opportunity to emigrate freely. We
will, of course, continue to press the Vietnamese for an
2
accounting of those not presented for interview under the ROVR
program and for speedy processing of those approved for
immigration to the United States by the INS. Finally, there
will be an annual review of all countries receiving Jackson-
Vanik waivers, including Vietnam, in June 1998. At that time,
we will examine closely Vietnam's emigration policies and
practices.
The State Department's latest human rights report shines a
spotlight on Vietnam's poor record in this area. This issue is
a critical item on our agenda with Vietnam and Ambassador
Peterson has initiated a formal human rights dialogue with
Vietnamese officials to prompt greater respect by the government
for the rights of its citizens, including the release of
political and religious prisoners. We will continue to press
for improvements.
Thank you again for writing on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jake I. Alarid
National Commander
American GI Forum of the United States
National Veterans Family Organization
11212 Archway Drive
Whittier, California 90604
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 6, 1998
Dear Ms ffiths:
Thank you for your letter regarding a Jackson-Vanik waiver to
Vietnam. I understand your concerns about moving forward with
the waiver, but I believe this course is the right one and will
help us advance our objectives with Vietnam.
First, I want to assure you that achieving the fullest possible
accounting for our POW/MIA's remains the top priority in our
bilateral relations with Vietnam. I am fully committed to this
effort and will exhaust every possible lead to determine the
fate of those still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
Vietnam's cooperation in our efforts has improved significantly
over the past several years and this cooperation has enabled us
to take incremental steps to normalize our relations in other
areas.
Similarly, I share the importance you attach to Vietnam's policy
on emigration. Through the efforts of Ambassador Pete Peterson,
Vietnam agreed to revise emigration regulations, which allowed
the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to
expedite interviews of Vietnamese eligible for the Resettlement
Opportunity for Vietnamese Returnee (ROVR) program. The change
has increased significantly the number of ROVR candidates being
processed by the INS. The Vietnamese authorities have located
and approved for interview 14,000 of the estimated 18,000
persons we believe are eligible to participate in ROVR. Vietnam
also has established a solid record in its implementation of the
Orderly Departure and AMERASIAN programs. The Jackson-Vanik
waiver will build on this momentum and encourage the Vietnamese
government to take further steps toward implementing a system
that offers its people the opportunity to emigrave freely. We
will, of course, continue to press the Vietnamese for an
2
accounting of those not presented for interview under the ROVR
program and for speedy processing of those approved for
immigration to the United States by the INS. Finally, there
will be an annual review of all countries receiving Jackson-
Vanik waivers, including Vietnam, in June 1998. At that time,
we will examine closely Vietnam's emigration policies and
practices.
The State Department's latest human rights report shines a
spotlight on Vietnam's poor record in this area. This issue is
a critical item on our agenda with Vietnam and Ambassador
Peterson has initiated a formal human rights dialogue with
Vietnamese officials to prompt greater respect by the government
for the rights of its citizens, including the release of
political and religious prisoners. We will continue to press
for improvements.
Thank you again for writing on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Ms. Ann Mills Griffiths
Executive Director
National League of Families of American
Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia
Suite 919
1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-5504
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 6, 1998
Dear Mr. Sommer:
Thank you for your letter regarding a Jackson-Vanik waiver to
Vietnam. I understand your concerns about moving forward with
the waiver, but I believe this course is the right one and will
help us advance our objectives with Vietnam.
First, I want to assure you that achieving the fullest possible
accounting for our POW/MIA's remains the top priority in our
bilateral relations with Vietnam. I am fully committed to this
effort and will exhaust every possible lead to determine the
fate of those still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
Vietnam's cooperation in our efforts has improved significantly
over the past several years and this cooperation has enabled us
to take incremental steps to normalize our relations in other
areas.
Similarly, I share the importance you attach to Vietnam's policy
on emigration. Through the efforts of Ambassador Pete Peterson,
Vietnam agreed to revise emigration regulations, which allowed
the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to
expedite interviews of Vietnamese eligible for the Resettlement
Opportunity for Vietnamese Returnee (ROVR) program. The change
has increased significantly the number of ROVR candidates being
processed by the INS. The Vietnamese authorities have located
and approved for interview 14,000 of the estimated 18,000
persons we believe are eligible to participate in ROVR. Vietnam
also has established a solid record in its implementation of the
Orderly Departure and AMERASIAN programs. The Jackson-Vanik
waiver will build on this momentum and encourage the Vietnamese
government to take further steps toward implementing a system
that offers its people the opportunity to emigrate freely. We
will, of course, continue to press the Vietnamese for an
2
accounting of those not presented for interview under the ROVR
program and for speedy processing of those approved for
immigration to the United States by the INS. Finally, there
will be an annual review of all countries receiving Jackson-
Vanik waivers, including Vietnam, in June 1998. At that time,
we will examine closely Vietnam's emigration policies and
practices.
The State Department's latest human rights report shines a
spotlight on Vietnam's poor record in this area. This issue is
a critical item on our agenda with Vietnam and Ambassador
Peterson has initiated a formal human rights dialogue with
Vietnamese officials to prompt greater respect by the government
for the rights of its citizens, including the release of
political and religious prisoners. We will continue to press
for improvements.
Thank you again for writing on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Mr. John F. Sommer, Jr.
Executive Director
The American Legion
1608 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20515-1602
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ID 9800793
REFERRAL
DATE: 07 APR 98
MEMORANDUM FOR: WH STRIPPING DESK
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION:
TO: ALARID, JAKE
SOURCE: PRESIDENT
DATE: 06 APR 98
SUBJ: ADDRESSING CONCERNS RE JACKSON-VANIK WAIVER FOR VIETNAM
REQUIRED ACTION: FOR DISPATCH
DUEDATE: 08 APR 98
COMMENT:
HAP
FOR
JOHN W. FICKLIN
NSC RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICE
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
LOG 9800793
DISTRIBUTION RECEIPT
DATE 06 APR 98
SUBJECT: ADDRESSING CONCERNS RE JACKSON-VANIK WAIVER FOR VIETNAM
DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION:
DATE
TIME
SIGNATURE
WH STRIPPING DESK
PRINT LAST NAME:
COPY: ORIGINALS
DATE, TIME, SIGN THE RECEIPT AND RETURN TO: NSC RECORDS MGNT, ROOM 379 OEOB
PAGE 01 OF 01 PAGES
0793
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 23, 1998
ACTION
THE PRESIDEN
98MAR 23 AM11:1<
4-6-98
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
SAMUEL BERGER M7
SUBJECT:
Response to Letters Opposing the Jackson-Vanik
Waiver for Vietnam
Purpose
To reply to letters from John Sommer, Ann Mills Griffiths, and
Jake Alarid on Vietnam policy.
Background
The Executive Director of the American Legion, John F. Sommer,
Jr.; Ann Mills Griffiths, Executive Director of the National
League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in
Southeast Asia; and Jake Alarid, National Commander of the
American GI Forum of the United States, wrote separately urging
that we withhold the Jackson-Vanik waiver for Vietnam until that
government has provided unfettered freedom of emigration,
accounted for additional information on POW/MIA's and improved
its human rights record.
Your proposed reply expresses your belief that the non-MFN
Jackson-Vanik waiver will promote further emigration freedoms,
affirms that POW/MIA accounting remains our priority objective
with Vietnam and notes we will press for human rights
improvements through our human rights dialogue with Hanoi.
RECOMMENDATION
PHOTOCOPY
That you sign the letters at Tab A.
WJC HANDWRITING
Attachments
Tab A
Letter to John Sommer, Ann Mills Griffiths,
and Jake Alarid
Tab B
Incoming Correspondence
CC: Vice President
Chief of Staff
CLINTON LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY
0793 Redo
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504
February 26, 1998
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR SAMUEL R. BERGER
THROUGH:
SANDRA J. KRISTOFF Spk
FROM:
JAMES M. GAGNON A
SUBJECT:
Response to Letters Opposing the Jackson-Vanik
Waiver for Vietnam
John Sommer, Executive Director of the American Legion; Ann
Mills Griffiths, Executive Director of the National League of
Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia;
and Jake Alarid, National Commander of the American GI Forum of
the United States, wrote the President opposing the non-MFN
Jackson-Vanik waiver for Vietnam. The President's reply reviews
our policy and reaffirms that achieving the fullest possible
accounting for our POW/MIA's remains our top priority.
Eric Schwartz, SBfor Joe Bouchard, James NKifer Baker
13
Concurrences by:
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the memorandum to the President at Tab I.
Attachments
Tab I
Memorandum to the President
Tab A
Letters to John Sommer, Ann Mills Griffiths,
and Jake Alarid
Tab B
Incoming Correspondence
0793
The
American
Legion
WASHINGTON OFFICE
1608 "K" STREET, N. W.
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006
*
(202) 861-2711
OFFICE OF THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
February 2, 1998
2/3/98
Honorable William Jefferson Clinton
PLEASE STAFF
President of The United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The American Legion is extremely concerned at National Security Advisor Samuel
Berger's recent pronouncements that your Administration is seriously considering waiving the
requirements of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment (19 U.S.C. 2432 (a)). It is our considered opinion
that it is premature to allow the Export-Import Bank to begin financing projects in Vietnam and
likewise, to permit the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to begin operations there.
Obviously, these would be giant steps toward the granting of Most Favored Nation status for the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Jackson-Vanik renders communist governments ineligible for the aforementioned economic
concessions until their citizens are guaranteed unfettered freedom of emigration. The American
Legion can assure you that this is not the case today in Vietnam. We have been actively involved
in the refugee situation, were vehemently opposed to the forced repatriation of refugees from
countries of first asylum absent the opportunity to engage in a fair and equitable interview process,
and are cognizant that Victnamese officials are not now abiding by the provisions of the
Resettlement Opportunities for Vietnamese Refugees (ROVR) program. Of course, our primary
concern in this regard is the well being of those Vietnamese people who served along-side our
military personnel during the war, those who worked for the United States government and their
families. We have a moral obligation to them.
Aside from the provisions of Jackson-Vanik, 19 U.S.C. 2433, provides authority for the
President to withhold nondiscriminatory trade treatment to countries based on cooperation with our
efforts to account for American military and civilian POWs and MIAs in Southeast Asia. It is
contingent upon cooperation to achieve a complete accounting of the POWs and MIAs, to
repatriate such personnel who are alive, and to return the remains of such personnel who are dead
to the United States.
The government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is not cooperating anywhere near the
extent to which it can. A degree of cooperation is being offered in the conduct of the joint field
activities, where our Joint Task Force - Full Accounting and Vietnam's Office on Seeking Missing
Personnel are excavating crash sites and other incident locations. Of course, the United States is
paying Vietnam handsomely for that assistance.
It is the unilateral cooperation by the central government that is not forthcoming, nor has it
been since you first took office in January 1993. In August 1993, a high ranking State Department
official specifically asked the Vietnamese government to turn over remains and information relating
to over eighty cases involving over ninety individuals categorized as Last Known Alive and Special
Remains Cases. To the best of our knowledge, very little, if any, information that correlates to
those cases has been turned over by the SRV government.
National Commander Anthony G. Jordan and the undersigned met with several high
ranking Vietnamese government officials in December 1997, and requested, among other things,
increased unilateral cooperation in helping to resolve those cases where the incidents took place in
the areas of Laos and Cambodia that were controlled by the Peoples Army of Vietnam during the
war. The American Legion and others, including representatives of the Families, have formally
requested this as well as cooperation on issues of a similar nature for several years. We continue
to receive empty promises, but no substantial progress has been forthcoming in any of these areas.
The third concern of The American Legion is Vietnam's abysmal record on human rights.
It is necessary to remain mindful that the Vietnamese government continues to be a communist
regime that actively suppresses the human rights of its citizens. Unfortunately, despite the lifting
of the trade embargo and the normalization of diplomatic relations, there has been no appreciable
improvement. The only apparent change is the diminished level of pressure that the US
government is placing on Vietnam to enhance its human rights practices. The Vietnamese
government continues to arrest and imprison political and religious activists and hold them at will.
Hanoi does not suffer those who believe in freedom and democracy to espouse their feelings.
Mr. President, The American Legion urges you in the strongest possible terms to refrain
from proposing a Jackson-Vanik waiver until such time that considerable cooperation and
improvement are advanced by the government of Vietnam in these three important areas.
Sincerely,
Sohn Sommer J.
SOMMER,
cc:
Honorable Madeline K. Albright
Honorable William Cohen
Honorable Samuel Berger
P.02
FEB-23-1998 12:03
GIW-MI
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES
0918
OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
1001 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NORTHWEST, SUITE 919
202/223-6846
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036-5504
UPDATE LINE: 202/659-0133
February 6, 1998
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of the POW/MIA families, I am writing to
express our concern and opposition to certification that
Vietnam is "fully cooperating in good faith" to resolve the
POW/MIA issue. As you know, that certification is required
under current law to allow expenditure of funds for diplomatic
relations with Vietnam beyond 1995 levels.
As determined by the staff of the Senate Select
Committee on Intelligence, prior certifications by your
Administration were not based upon assessments of the
intelligence community. The ongoing National Intelligence
Estimate on whether Vietnam is meeting long-standing POW/MIA
accounting expectations should serve as the basis for any
decisions on this matter. Although not yet completed, your
national security adviser is quoted in the December 18th
WASHINGTON POST as having stated the day before, "We've had
very full cooperation with Vietnam in the area of accounting
for POW-MIAs." I urge you to carefully review and consider
the formal intelligence estimate before reaching any decision
on certification.
I also encourage you to temporarily suspend consideration
of waiving the Jackson-Vanik requirements, not only because
the government of Vietnam has failed thus far to fully
implement commitments regarding freedom of immigration.
Though no longer frequently noted, other provisions in the
Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC 2433) give you the authority to
withhold nondiscriminatory treatment to any country based upon
cooperation with U.S. efforts to account for American military
and civilian POWs and MIAs in Southeast Asia.
Mr. President, my father, the late E.C. "Bus" Mills,
served in 1973-74 in the position I have now held for 19
years. He testified before Congress in support of these very
provisions. At that time, he urged the restrictions be
applied to the former Soviet Union, then chief supplier of war
material to the Vietnamese.
P.03
FEB-23-1998 12:03
-2-
These questions are not new to those of us who have
waited so long and worked so hard for answers. It seems fair
and reasonable that you and officials in your Administration
consider objective intelligence analysis on the level of
Vietnam's cooperation before proceeding any further with such
crucial decisions.
Thank you for your consideration. Despite differences
over policy and approach on the POW/MIA issue, as the
President of our nation, you have our prayers as you again
contemplate sending Americans into combat. God be with them.
Respectfully,
h Mills Drifft
Ann Mills Griffiths
Executive Director
cc:
Honorable Madeleine Albright
Honorable William Cohen
Honorable Samuel Berger
I
AMERICAN GI FORUM OF THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL VETERANS FAMILY ORGANIZATION
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COMMANDER
11212 Archway Drive
NATIONAL COMMANDER
FOUNDER
Jake Alarid
Whittier, CA 90604
Dr. Hector P. Garcia
(310) 941-2607
1315 Bright
(310) 634-6986 (FAX)
Corpus Christi, TX 78405
February 13, 1998
The Honorable William J. Clinton
2/18/98
1213
President of the United States
The White House
PLEASE STAFF
Washington D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of the membership of the American GI Forum of the United States, a national
Hispanic veterans family organization, I am writing to respectfully urge you not to waive the
requirements of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment (19 U.S.C. § 2432(a)) with respect to the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam. The basis for such a waiver is that the waiver will substantially promote the
objection of section 402 of the Trade Act of 1974 and that the President has received assurances from
the country concerned that the emigrations practices of that country will lead substantially to the
objections of that section. The American GI Forum believes that such a determination is premature.
The policy of the American GI Forum requires the fullest cooperation before any further
favorable actions toward Vietnam be taken. 19 U.S. Section 2432 provides authority for the President to
withhold nondiscriminatory trade treatment to countries based on cooperation to achieve a complete
accounting of all United States military and civilian personnel who are missing in action in Southeast
Asia and to return the remains of such personnel who are dead to the United States. The unilateral
cooperation by Vietnam in resolving matters relating to U.S. unaccounted personnel has not been
forthcoming. The American GI Forum further urges you not to waive, with respect to Vietnam, any
statutory prohibitions on nondiscriminatory trade treatment, commercial agreements, and participation in
programs of the U.S. Government which extends credits or financing guarantees and other forms of
assistance.
Mr. President, if you, or your staff, should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
me, at 562-634-6986, or contact Carlos Martinez, President, American GI Forum National Veterans
Outreach Program, at 210-223-4088.
Respectfully Yours,
Jake Alarid / Alarid
National Commander
FEB1821:21
cc:
Honorable Madeline K. Albright
Honorable William Cohen
Honorable Samuel Berger
Francisco Ivarra, AGIF National Vice-Commander
Antonio Morales, AGIF National Executive Director
Education Is Our Freedom. and Freedom Should Be Everybody's Business
0793
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
SAMUEL BERGER
LARRY STEIN
SUBJECT:
Letter to the American Legion on Vietnam Policy
Purpose
To reply to John Sommer's letter on Vietnam policy.
Background
The Executive Director of the American Legion, John F. Sommer,
Jr., wrote urging that we withhold the Jackson-Vanik waiver for
Vietnam until privided that government has provided unfettered freedom of
emigration, accounted for additional information on POW/MIA's
and improved its human rights record.
Your proposed reply expresses your belief that the non-MFN
Jackson-Vanik waiver will promote further emigration freedoms,
affirms that POW/MIA accounting remains our priority objective
with Vietnam and notes we will press for human rights
improvements through our human rights dialogue with Hanoi.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the letter at Tab A.
Attachments
Tab A
Letter to John Sommer
Tab B
Incoming Correspondence
CC: Vice President
Chief of Staff
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Sommer:
Thank you for
I appreciate receiving your letter regarding the question of
granting a Jackson-Vanik waiver for to Vietnam. I understand your
concerns about moving forward with the waiver, but I believe
this step 18 the right thing course to do the and will help us advance our
15
objectives with Vietnam.
First, I want to assure you that achieving the fullest possible
accounting for our POW/MIA's remains the top priority in our
bilateral relations with Vietnam. I am fully committed to this
effort and will exhaust every possible lead to determine the
fate of those still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
Vietnam's cooperation in our efforts has improved significantly
over the past several years and this cooperation has enabled us
to take incremental steps to normalize our relations in other
areas.
Similarly, I share your concerns about Vietnam's restrictions on
emigration. Recently, through the efforts of Ambassador Pete
Peterson, we have received 10,000 names of persons for interview
under the Resettlement Opportunity for Vietnamese Returnee
(ROVR) program and there has been a significant increase in the
number of Vietnamese being processed under that program.
Vietnam also has established a solid record in its
implementation of the Orderly Departure and AMERASIAN programs.
The Jackson-Vanik waiver will build on this momentum and
encourage the Vietnamese government to take further steps toward
implementing a system that offers its people the opportunity to
emigrate freely. We will, of course, continue to press for an
accounting of those not presented for interview under the ROVR
program and for speedy processing of those approved by the
Immigration and Naturalization Service.
The State Department's latest human rights report shines a
spotlight on Vietnam's poor record in this area. This issue is
a critical item on our agenda with Vietnam and Ambassador
2
Peterson has initiated a formal human rights dialogue with
Vietnamese officials to prompt greater respect by the government
for the rights of its citizens, including the release of
political and religious prisoners. We will continue to press
for improvements.
Thank you again for writing mean Sincerely, this ven important innu.
Mr. John F. Sommer, Jr.
Executive Director
The American Legion
1608 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
0793
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504
February 17, 1998
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR SAMUEL R. BERGER
FROM:
SANDRA J. KRISTOFF
Sik
SUBJECT:
Letter from American Legion on Vietnam
John Sommer, Executive Director of the American Legion, wrote
the President opposing the non-MFN Jackson-Vanik waiver for
Vietnam. The President's reply reviews our policy and reaffirms
that achieving the fullest possible accounting for our POW/MIA's
remains our top priority.
Eric Schwartz, Joe Bouchard, James NH fer Baker
SBfer
JB
for
Concurrences by:
RECOMMENDATION
That sign the memorandum to the President at Tab I.
Attachments
Tab I
Memorandum to the President
Tab A
Letter to John Sommer
Tab B
Incoming Correspondence
0793
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
SAMUEL BERGER
(for
LARRY STEIN
SUBJECT:
Letter to the American Legion on Vietnam Policy
Purpose
To reply to John Sommer's letter on Vietnam policy.
Background
The Executive Director of the American Legion, John F. Sommer,
Jr., wrote urging that we withhold the Jackson-Vanik waiver for
Vietnam until that government has provided unfettered freedom of
emigration, provided additional information on POW/MIA's and
improved its human rights record.
Your reply expresses your belief that the non-MFN Jackson-Vanik
waiver will promote further emigration freedoms, affirms that
POW/MIA accounting remains our priority objective with Vietnam
and notes we will press for human rights improvements through
our human rights dialogue with Hanoi.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the letter at Tab A.
Attachments
Tab A
Letter to John Sommer
Tab B
Incoming Correspondence
CC: Vice President
Chief of Staff
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Sommer:
Thank you for your letter regarding a Jackson-Vanik waiver for
Vietnam. I understand your concerns about moving forward with
the waiver, but I believe this course is the right one and will
help us advance our objectives with Vietnam.
First, I want to assure you that achieving the fullest possible
accounting for our POW/MIA's remains the top priority in our
bilateral relations with Vietnam. I am fully committed to this
effort and will exhaust every possible lead to determine the
fate of those still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
Vietnam's cooperation in our efforts has improved significantly
over the past several years and this cooperation has enabled us
to take incremental steps to normalize our relations in other
areas.
Similarly, I share your concerns about Vietnam's restrictions on
emigration. Recently, through the efforts of Ambassador Pete
Peterson, we have received 10,000 names of persons for interview
under the Resettlement Opportunity for Vietnamese Returnee
(ROVR) program and there has been a significant increase in the
number of Vietnamese being processed under that program.
Vietnam also has established a solid record in its
implementation of the Orderly Departure and AMERASIAN programs.
The Jackson-Vanik waiver will build on this momentum and
encourage the Vietnamese government to take further steps toward
implementing a system that offers its people the opportunity to
emigrate freely. We will, of course, continue to press for an
accounting of those not presented for interview under the ROVR
program and for speedy processing of those approved by the
Immigration and Naturalization Service.
The State Department's latest human rights report shines a
spotlight on Vietnam's poor record in this area. This issue is
a critical item on our agenda with Vietnam and Ambassador
Peterson has initiated a formal human rights dialogue with
Vietnamese officials to prompt greater respect by the government
2
for the rights of its citizens, including the release of
political and religious prisoners. We will continue to press
for improvements.
Thank you again for writing on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Mr. John F. Sommer, Jr.
Executive Director
The American Legion
1608 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
0793
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
SAMUEL BERGER
SUBJECT:
Response to Letters Opposing the Jackson-Vanik
Waiver for Vietnam
Purpose
To reply to letters from John Sommer, Ann Mills Griffiths, and
Jake Alarid Vietnam policy.
on
Background
The Executive Director of the American Legion, John F. Sommer,
Jr.; Ann Mills Griffiths, Executive Director of the National
League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in
Southeast Asia; and Jake Alarid, National Commander of the
American GI Forum of the United States, wrote separately urging
that we withhold the Jackson-Vanik waiver for Vietnam until that
government has provided unfettered freedom of emigration,
accounted for additional information on POW/MIA's and improved
its human rights record.
Your proposed reply expresses your belief that the non-MFN
Jackson-Vanik waiver will promote further emigration freedoms,
affirms that POW/MIA accounting remains our priority objective
with Vietnam and notes we will press for human rights
improvements through our human rights dialogue with Hanoi.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the letters at Tab A.
Attachments
Tab A
Letter to John Sommer, Ann Mills Griffiths,
and Jake Alarid
Tab B
Incoming Correspondence
CC: Vice President
Chief of Staff
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
0793 Redo
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504
X793
February 26, 1998
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR SAMUEL R. BERGER
THROUGH:
SANDRA J. KRISTOFF
AL
FROM:
JAMES M. GAGNON
SUBJECT:
Response to Letters Opposing the Jackson-Vanik
Waiver for Vietnam
John Sommer, Executive Directòr of the American Legion; Ann
Mills Griffiths, Executive Director of the National League of
Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia;
and Jake Alarid, National Commander of the American GI Forum of
the United States, wrote the President opposing the non-MFN
Jackson-Vanik waiver for Vietnam. The President's reply reviews
our policy and reaffirms that achieving the fullest possible
accounting for our POW/MIA's remains our top priority.
Eric SB fer Schwartz, Joe Bouchard, James Nitfor Baker
9B
Concurrences by:
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the memorandum to the President at Tab I.
Attachments
Tab I
Memorandum to the President
Tab A
Letters to John Sommers, Ann Mills Griffiths,
and Jake Alarid
Tab B
Incoming Correspondence
the importance you
attach to
policy
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Alarid:
Thank you for your letter regarding a Jackson-Vanik waiver to
Vietnam. I understand your concerns about moving forward with
the waiver, but I believe this course is the right one and will
help us advance our objectives with Vietnam.
First, I want to assure you that achieving the fullest possible
accounting for our POW/MIA's remains the top priority in our
bilateral relations with Vietnam. I am fully committed to this
effort and will exhaust every possible lead to determine the
fate of those still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
Vietnam's cooperation in our efforts has improved significantly
over the past several years and this cooperation has enabled us
to take incremental steps to normalize our relations in other
areas.
Similarly, I share your concerns about Vietnam's restrictions pily on
th upter yu attent p
emigration. Through the efforts of Ambassador Pete Peterson,
Vietnam agreed to revise emigration regulations, which allowed
the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to
expedite interviews of Vietnamese eligible for the Resettlement
Opportunity for Vietnamese Returnee (ROVR) program. The change
has increased significantly the number of ROVR candidates being
processed by the INS. The Vietnamese authorities have located
and approved for interview 14,000 of the estimated 18,000
persons we believe are eligible to participate in ROVR. Vietnam
also has established a solid record in its implementation of the
Orderly Departure and AMERASIAN programs. The Jackson-Vanik
waiver will build on this momentum and encourage the Vietnamese
government to take further steps toward implementing a system
that offers its people the opportunity to emigrate freely. We
will, of course, continue to press the Vietnamese for an
2
accounting of those not presented for interview under the ROVR
program and for speedy processing of those approved for
immigration to the United States by the INS. Finally, there
will be an annual review of all countries receiving Jackson-
Vanik waivers, including Vietnam, in June 1998. At that time,
we will examine closely Vietnam's emigration policies and
practices.
The State Department's latest human rights report shines a
spotlight on Vietnam's poor record in this area. This issue is
a critical item on our agenda with Vietnam and Ambassador
Peterson has initiated a formal human rights dialogue with
Vietnamese officials to prompt greater respect by the government
for the rights of its citizens, including the release of
political and religious prisoners. We will continue to press
for improvements.
Thank you again for writing on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jake I. Alarid
National Commander
American GI Forum of the United States
National Veterans Family Organization
11212 Archway Drive
Whittier, California 90604