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9801213
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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:
2017
Document ID:
9801213
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
V
45
4
6
3
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9801213
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 19 FEB 98 08
TO: BERGER
FROM: GAGNON
DOC DATE: 20 FEB 98
KRISTOFF
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: MFN
VIETNAM
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: LTR FM AMER GI FORUM ON VIETNAM
ACTION: SEE 9800793 FOR FINAL ACTION
DUE DATE: 03 MAR 98 STATUS: C
STAFF OFFICER: GAGNON
LOGREF: 9800793 9800918
FILES: WH
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
COMMENTS:
DISPATCHED BY
DATE
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSGP
CLOSED BY: NSTTS
DOC 2 OF 2
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9801213
ACTION DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC ACTION OFFICER
CAO ASSIGNED ACTION REQUIRED
001 KYLE
Z 98021920 PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
001
Z 98021920 ACTION TRANSFERRED
001 GAGNON
Z 98021920 PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
002 BERGER
Z 98022512 FWD TO PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE
002 GAGNON
Z 98022518 FOR FURTHER ACTION
002
X 98022719 SEE 9800793 FOR FINAL ACTION
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9801213
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 19 FEB 98 08
TO: PRESIDENT
FROM: ALARID, JAKE I
DOC DATE: 13 FEB 98
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: MFN
VIETNAM
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: HISPANIC VETERANS FAMILY URGE NOT TO WAIVE REQUIREMENTS OF
JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
ACTION: PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
DUE DATE: 03 MAR 98 STATUS: S
STAFF OFFICER: GAGNON
LOGREF:
FILES: WH
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
GAGNON
BAKER
KRISTOFF
KYLE
SCHWARTZ
LEE
COMMENTS:
Per ed Rices Combine w/ 0793-2/26
DISPATCHED BY
DATE
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSGP
CLOSED BY:
DOC 1 OF 1
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9801213
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 19 FEB 98 08
TO: PRESIDENT
SUSPENSE
FROM: ALARID, JAKE I
DOC DATE: 13 FEB 98
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: MFN
VIETNAM
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: HISPANIC VETERANS FAMILY URGE NOT TO WAIVE REQUIREMENTS OF
JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
ACTION: PMB
DUE DATE: 03 MAR 98 STATUS: S
STAFF OFFICER: KYLE GAGNON
LOGREF:
FILES: WH
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
KYLE
BAKER
KRISTOFF
GAGNON
GAGNON
SCHWARTZ
LEE
COMMENTS:
DISPATCHED BY
DATE
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSGP
CLOSED BY:
DOC 1 OF 1
UNCLASSIFIED
AMERICAN
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 / alaid
National Commander
FEB 1821:21
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
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9801213
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 19 FEB 98 08
TO: BERGER
FROM: GAGNON
DOC DATE: 20 FEB 98
KRISTOFF
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: MFN
VIETNAM
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: LTR FM AMER GI FORUM ON VIETNAM
ACTION: SEE 9800793 FOR FINAL ACTION
DUE DATE: 03 MAR 98 STATUS: C
STAFF OFFICER: GAGNON
LOGREF: 9800793 9800918
FILES: WH
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
NSC CHRON J
FOR INFO
COMMENTS:
DISPATCHED BY
DATE
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSGP
CLOSED BY: NSTTS
DOC 2 OF 2
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9801213
ACTION DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC ACTION OFFICER
CAO ASSIGNED ACTION REQUIRED
001 KYLE
Z 98021920 PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
001
Z 98021920 ACTION TRANSFERRED
001 GAGNON
Z 98021920 PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
002 BERGER
Z 98022512 FWD TO PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE
002 GAGNON
Z 98022518 FOR FURTHER ACTION
002
X 98022719 SEE 9800793 FOR FINAL ACTION
UNCLASSIFIED
EXER SEL - HOLD Till J-V
package signal by POTUS.
National Security Council
The White House
PROOFED BY:
LOG # 1213
URGENT NOT PROOFED:
SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS
BYPASSED WW DESK:
DOCLOG TMA A/O
SEQUENCE TO
INITIAL/DATE
DISPOSITION
TP Cosgriff
Rice
1
Davies
Kerrick
Steinberg
Berger
Situation Room
2
TMA 2.28
N
West Wing Desk
3
N
Records Mgt.
A = Action
I = Information
D = Dispatch
R = Retain
N = No Further Action
CC:
COMMENTS: Close out as See
0793 for final action
Exec Sec Office has diskette up
National Security Council
The White House
PROOFED BY:
LOG # 1213
URGENT NOT PROOFED
SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS
BYPASSED WW DESK:
DOCLOG TMA A/O
SEQUENCE TO
INITIAL/DATE
DISPOSITION
TP Cosgriff
Rice
/
Davies
Kerrick
Steinberg
Berger
Situation Room
2
West Wing Desk
TMA 2.28
N
3
N
Records Mgt.
A = Action
I = Information
D = Dispatch
R = Retain
N = No Further Action
CC:
COMMENTS: Close out as See
0793 for final action
EXER SEL HOLD Till J-V
package signal by POTUS.
AMERICAN GI FORUM OF THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL VETERANS FAMILY ORGANIZATION
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COMMANDER
NATIONAL COMMANDER
11212 Archway Drive
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 I. Alarid 1. 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
tional Security Council
The White House
0793
PROOFE
0793
incil
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
1213
Jimbashon-
213
are still holding these
RS
NSC INT ARS
we awaiting approval of the
MA A/O
pkgo Jackson -Vanick pkg by sandy
DISPOSITION
R
Benga. Since we have time, ptc
combine SRB and pous do not to
these into onepky have so
on Vietnam
read twice.
Thx-
in GI Forum of the
kaRice
1e non-MFN Jackson-
>ly reviews our
it possible
W
Re Mgt.
EXER SEL - HOLD Till J-V
A = Action
I = Information
D=
cc:
package signal by POTUS.
CMML
Exec Sec Office has diskette up
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
1213
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504
February 20, 1998
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR SAMUEL R. BERGER
THROUGH:
SANDRA J. KRISTOFF Spk
FROM:
JAMES M. GAGNON HG
SUBJECT:
Letter from American GI Forum on Vietram
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.
SBfer
RBHer
NH fev
Concurrences by:
Eric Schwartz, Joe Bouchard, James Baker
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the memorandum to the President at Tab I.
Attachments
Tab I
Memorandum to the President
Tab A
Letter to Jake Alarid
Tab B
Incoming Correspondence
1213
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
SAMUEL BERGER
SUBJECT:
Letter to the American GI Forum of the United
States on Vietnam Policy
Purpose
To reply to Jake Alarid's letter on Vietnam policy.
Background
The National Commander of the American GI Forum of the United
States, Jake I. Alarid, wrote urging that we not waive the
requirements of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment 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 letter at Tab A.
Attachments
Tab A
Letter to Jake Alarid
Tab B
Incoming Correspondence
CC: Vice President
Chief of Staff
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Alarid:
Thank you for
I appreciate receiving your letter regarding the question of
granting a Jackson-Vanik waiver to Vietnam. I understand your
concerns about moving forward with the waiver, but I believe
this step 1S the right thing to de and will help us advance our
course is right one will
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, Vietnam has cleared for interview 14,000 of the 18,000
people we believe to be eligible 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.
2
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 4 m again for writing m and very important inno
Sincerely,
Mr. Jake I. Alarid
National Commander
American GI Forum of the United States
National Veterans Family Organization
Office of the National Commander
11212 Archway Drive
Whittier, California 90604