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9802214
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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:
2025
Document ID:
9802214
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
V
45
4
9
2
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9802214
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 25 MAR 98 18
TO: FERRIS, ELIZABÉTH
FROM: BERGER
DOC DATE: 06 APR 98
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: VIETNAM
MFN
NSA CORRESPONDENCE
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: JACKSON VANIK WAIVER FOR VIETNAM & ROVR
ACTION: BERGER SGD LTR
DUE DATE: 06 APR 98 STATUS: C
STAFF OFFICER: GAGNON
LOGREF: 9802290
FILES: WH
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
BRAINARD, L
BUSBY
GAGNON
HIGHSMITH
NSC CHRON
PRITCHARD
COMMENTS:
DISPATCHED BY B
DATE 4/10
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSSWD
CLOSED BY: NSTSM
DOC 3 OF 3
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
RECORD ID: 9802214
ACTION DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC ACTION OFFICER
CAO ASSIGNED ACTION REQUIRED
001 GAGNON
Z 98032518 PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
002 BERGER
Z 98040316 FOR SIGNATURE
003
X 98040613 BERGER SGD LTR
DISPATCH DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC DATE
DISPATCH FOR ACTION
DISPATCH FOR INFO
003 980406 FERRIS, ELIZABETH
UNCLASSIFIED
-
4/3
National Security Council
The White House
715pm
PROOFED BY:
LOG # 2214
URGENT NOT PROOFED:
SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS
BYPASSED WW DESK:
DOCLOG TMA A/O
d
SEQUENCE TO
INITIAL/DATE
DISPOSITION
Cosgriff
Rice
2 4/3
done
Davies
Kerrick
2
4/3
Steinberg
3
On
Berger
4
c
Situation Room
West Wing Desk
5
Tmss 4.6
H
Records Mgt.
6
R 4/6
D
A = Action
I = Information
D = Dispatch
R = Retain
N = No Further Action
CC:
COMMENTS:
"98 APR 3am11:46
Exec Sec Office has diskette yes
I
4/3
National Security Council
The White House
715pm
PROOFED BY:
LOG # 2214
URGENT NOT PROOFED:
SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS
BYPASSED WW DESK:
DOCLOG Tims A/O
SEQUENCE TO
INITIAL/DATE
DISPOSITION
Cosgriff
Rice
0 4/3
done
Davies
Kerrick
2
4/3
Steinberg
3
Berger
4
Or
c
Situation Room
West Wing Desk
5
Records Mgt.
6
Tmss 4/6 4.6 P
R
D
A = Action
I = Information
D = Dispatch
R = Retain
N = No Further Action
CC:
COMMENTS:
'98APR 3am11:46
Exec Sec Office has diskette yes
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 6, 1998
Dear Ms. Ferris:
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.
I share your interest in ensuring that the Resettlement Opportunity
for Vietnamese Returnee (ROVR) program is a success. Through the
efforts of Ambassador Pete Peterson, Vietnam agreed to revise its
emigration regulations, which allowed the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) to expedite interviews of Vietnamese
eligible for ROVR. As you know, 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. We believe the granting of a
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
accounting of the approximately 3,000 persons not presented for
interview under the ROVR program and for speedy processing of those
approved for immigration to the United States by the INS.
We welcome any assistance your organizations can provide in
addressing these issues. We will review these and other emigration
matters during the annual review of all countries receiving
Jackson-Vanik waivers, including Vietnam, in June 1998.
Thank you again for writing on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Damuel R Berger
Samuel R. Berger
Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
Ms. Elizabeth G. Ferris
Chair, Committee on Migration and Refugee Affairs
American Council for Voluntary International Action
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 801
Washington, D.C. 20036
2214
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504
April 1, 1998
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR SAMUEL R. BERGER
THROUGH:
JACK PRITCHARD
FROM:
JAMES M. GAGNON
SUBJECT:
Response to Letters Opposing the Jackson-Vanik
Waiver for Vietnam
Elizabeth G. Ferris, Chair of the American Council for Voluntary
International Action's Committee on Migration and Refugee
Affairs, wrote you to express opposition to the non-MFN Jackson-
Vanik waiver for Vietnam. Your reply reviews our policy and
reaffirms our intention to continue pressing the Vietnamese on
emigration issues.
NH
SB
43
Concurrences by: Newell Highsmith, Scott Busby, Lael Brainard
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the attached response at Tab A.
Attachments
Tab A
Letter to Ms. Ferris
Tab B
Incoming correspondence
2290
InterAction
®
American Council for Voluntary International Action
President &
Chief Executive Officer
Jim Moody
March 25, 1998
Chairperson
Kathryn Wolford
Lutheran World Relief
3/30/98
Vice Chairperson
Mr. Samuel Berger
Jose A. Aponte
National Security Advisor
PLEASE STAFF
American Red Cross
First Floor West Wing
Secretary
The White House
Nancy A. Aossey
International Medical Corps
Washington, DC 20500
Treasurer
John H. Costello
Dear Mr. Berger:
Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs
Assistant Secretary
We refer to our letter of January 22, 1998, urging that the
Victoria M. Sheffield
International Eye Foundation
Administration proceed less precipitously on the issue of a
Jackson-Vanik waiver for Vietnam. While acknowledging some
Assistant Treasurer
Andrew Griffel
hopeful developments, we pointed out that there remained many
American Jewish World Service
uncertainties about a full implementation by the Vietnamese of
their commitments on the Resettlement Opportunities for
Executive Committee
Iqbal Noor Ali, Aga Khan Fdn
Vietnamese Returnees (ROVR) program. We urged that the
Prema Mathai-Davis, YWCA USA
leverage inherent in Jackson-Vanik not be given up until these
Margaret C. McCullough,
uncertainties are resolved.
Christian Children's Fund
Ray Offenheiser, Oxfam-America
Daniel E. Pellegrom, Pathfinder Int'l
Cherie Bellamy,
We note that the President has now proceeded to grant a Jackson-
Service and Development Agency
Vanik waiver to Vietnam. We regret that is the case but assume
Roger P. Winter,
Immigration & Refugee Services of America
that such a decision was taken on a judgement that ROVR could be
Andrew Natsios,
completed successfully. We very much hope that will prove to be
World Vision Relief & Development
Dick Cobb, Winrock Int'l
correct and will do all we can to assist in making ROVR a
Sam Evans, YMCA of the USA
successful program.
MAR Charles Cormack, Save the Children
David Beckmann, Bread for the World
Peggy Curlin, CEDPA
Nevertheless, there remain important uncertainties that could
Neal Keny-Guyer, Mercy Corps Int'l
John M. Palmer, III, Helen Keller Int'l
impede ROVR. A major question will be which individuals named
Linda Pfeiffer,
on lists provided by the United States government (USG) to the
Int'l Medical Services for Health
Frances Seymour, CIDE/WRI
Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) as eligible for ROVR, will not be
Jane G. Covey,
made available by the SRV for ROVR processing. The decision to
Institute for Development Research
Louis Mitchell, Pact
grant a Jackson-Vanik waiver at this time appeared to us
Rudolph von Bernuth,
particularly hasty. The USG was aware that the SRV intended to
Save The Children
Elizabeth I. Ferris,
submit a list of some 3,000 persons, requested for INS interview by
Church World Service
the United States, who would not be made available. Nevertheless,
Robert Chase, World Learning
Meredith Richardson,
the Administration proceeded to grant the waiver without waiting
Pearl S. Buck
to receive and analyze the complete list.
William S. Reese,
Partners of the Americas
We urge that the Administration work closely with the NGOs as we
1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW
work through this issue. Many of the persons on the SRV list may
Suite 801
Washington, DC 20036
prove to be persons who simply left their home address to live
PHONE: (202) 667-8227
elsewhere and who cannot be located by the Vietnamese
MAR 30 17:21
FAX: (202) 667-8236
(202) 667-4131
authorities. Many such persons may turn out to be in contact with
E-MAIL: [email protected]
our agencies or with friends and relatives in the overseas
http://www.interaction.org
Printed on recycled paper
InterAction is a membership association of US private voluntary organizations engaged in international humanitarian efforts including
relief, development, refugee assistance, environment, population, public policy, and global education.
Vietnamese communities. We assume that, when such persons are located, the
USG will press the SRV to make them available for ROVR processing. Similarly,
we hope to work with the Department of State on other issues which may arise
in the implementation of ROVR.
As noted we thought the grant of the waiver was premature. However, we were
repeatedly assured by members of the Administration that, if the SRV failed to
adequately meet its commitments on Jackson-Vanik, the waiver could be
withdrawn at the end of six months. The Administration's judgement will be
tested by events over the next few months. We shall watch these closely and
hope for success but, should the Administration's optimistic prognosis for ROVR
prove unfounded, we shall expect and press hard for such a withdrawal of
Jackson-Vanik related benefits from Vietnam.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth M. Frief
Elizabeth G. Ferris, Chair
Committee on Migration and Refugee Affairs
on behalf of the following agencies:
Diana Aviv, Associate Executive Vice President for Public Policy
COUNCIL OF JEWISH FEDERATIONS
C. Richard Parkins, Director
EPISCOPAL MIGRATION MINISTRIES
Tsehaye Teferra, Executive Director
ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Leonard Glickman, Executive Vice President
HEBREW IMMIGRANT AID SOCIETY
Roger P. Winter, Executive Director
IMMIGRATION & REFUGEE SERVICES OF AMERICA
U.S. COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES
Reynold Levy, President
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
Ralston H. Deffenbaugh, Jr., Executive Director
LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES
Lionel A. Rosenblatt, President
REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL
Diana P. Bui, Deputy Director
SOUTHEAST ASIA RESOURCE ACTION CENTER
Mark Franken, Executive Director
U.S. CATHOLIC CONFERENCE/MIGRATION & REFUGEE SERVICES
Don Hammond, Vice President
WORLD RELIEF CORPORATION
cc:
Stanley Roth, DOS/EAP
Julia Taft, DOS/PRM
Eric Schwartz, NSC
Mar.
25.
1998
2:50PM
INTERACTION
No.
2600
P.
2/4
InterAction
2214
R
American Council for Voluntary International Action
President &
Chief Executive Officer
Jim Moody
March 25, 1998
3/25/98
Chairperson
Kathryn Wolford
Lutheran World Relief
PLEASE STAFF
Vice Chairperson
Mr. Samuel Berger
Jose A. Aponte
National Security Advisor
American Red Cross
First Floor West Wing
Secretary
The White House
Nancy A. Aossey
International Medical Corps
Washington, DC 20500
Treasurer
John H. Costello
Dear Mr. Berger:
Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs
Assistant Secretary
We refer to our letter of January 22, 1998, urging that the
Victoria M. Sheffield
International Eye Foundation
Administration proceed less precipitously on the issue of a
Jackson-Vanik waiver for Vietnam. While acknowledging some
Assistant Treasurer
Andrew Griffel
hopeful developments, we pointed out that there remained many
American Jewish world Service
uncertainties about a full implementation by the Vietnamese of
their commitments on the Resettlement Opportunities for
Executive.Committee
Iqbal Noor Ali, Age Knan Fon
Vietnamese Returnees (ROVR) program. We urged that the
Prema Mathai-Davis, YWCA USA
leverage inherent in Jackson-Vanik not be given up until these
Margaret C. McCullough,
Christian Children's Fund
uncertainties are resolved.
Ray Offenheiser. Oxfam-America
Daniel E. Pellegrom. Pathfindor Int'l
Cheric Bellamy.
We note that the President has now proceeded to grant a Jackson-
Service and Development Agency
Vanik waiver to Vietnam. We regret that is the case but assume
Roger P. Winter,
Immigration & Refugee Services of America
that such a decision was taken on a judgement that ROVR could be
Andrew Natsios.
completed successfully. We very much hope that will prove to be
World Vision Relief & Development
Dick Cobb. Winrock Int'l
correct and will do all we can to assist in making ROVR a
Sam Evans. YMCA of the USA
successful program.
Charles F. MacCormack, Save the Children
David Beckmann, Bread for the World
Peggy Curlin, CEDPA
Nevertheless, there remain important uncertainties that could
Neal Keny-Guyer. Mercy Corps int'l
John M. Palmer, III, Holen Keller Int'l
impede ROVR. A major question will be which individuals named
Linds Pfeiffer,
on lists provided by the United States government (USG) to the
Int'l Modical Services for Health
Frances Seymour, CIDE/WRI
Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) as eligible for ROVR, will not be
Jane G. Covey,
made available by the SRV for ROVR processing. The decision to
Institute for Development Research
Louis Mitchell, Pact
grant a Jackson-Vanik waiver at this time appeared to us
Rudolph van Bernuth,
particularly hasty. The USG was aware that the SRV intended to
Save The Children
Elizabeth I. Fems,
submit a list of some 3,000 persons, requested for INS interview by
Church wond Service
the United States, who would not be made available. Nevertheless,
Robert Chase. World Learning
Meredith Richardson,
the Administration proceeded to grant the waiver without waiting
Poort S. Buck
to receive and analyze the complete list.
William S. Reese,
Partners of the Americas
We urge that the Administration work closely with the NGOs as we
1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW
work through this issue. Many of the persons on the SRV list may
Suite 801
Washington, DC 20036
prove to be persons who simply left their home address to live
PHONE: (202) 667-8227
elsewhere and who cannot be located by the Vietnamese
FAX: (202) 667-8236
(202) 667-4131
authorities. Many such persons may turn out to be in contact with
E-MAIL: [email protected]
our agencies or with friends and relatives in the overseas
MAR 25
Printed on recycled paper
InterAction is a membership association of US private voluntary organizations engaged in international humanitarian efforts including
Mar. 25. 1998 2:51PM INTERACTION
No. 2600 P. 3/4
Vietnamese communities. We assume that, when such persons are located, the
USG will press the SRV to make them available for ROVR processing. Similarly,
we hope to work with the Department of State on other issues which may arise
in the implementation of ROVR.
As noted we thought the grant of the waiver was premature. However, we were
repeatedly assured by members of the Administration that, if the SRV failed to
adequately meet its commitments on Jackson-Vanik, the waiver could be
withdrawn at the end of six months. The Administration's judgement will be
tested by events over the next few months. We, shall watch these closely and
hope for success but, should the Administration's optimistic prognosis for ROVR
prove unfounded, we shall expect and press hard for such a withdrawal of
Jackson-Vanik related benefits from Vietnam.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth M. Frief
Elizabeth G. Ferris, Chair
Committee on Migration and Refugee Affairs
on behalf of the following agencies:
Diana Aviv, Associate Executive Vice President for Public Policy
COUNCIL OF JEWISH FEDERATIONS
C. Richard Parkins, Director
EPISCOPAL MIGRATION MINISTRIES
Tsehaye Teferra, Executive Director
ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Leonard Glickman, Executive Vice President
HEBREW IMMIGRANT AID SOCIETY
Roger P. Winter, Executive Director
IMMIGRATION & REFUGEE SERVICES OF AMERICA
U.S. COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES
Reynold Levy, President
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
Ralston H. Deffenbaugh, Jr., Executive Director
LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES
Mar. 25. 1998 2:52PM INTERACTION
No. 2600 P. 4/4
Lionel A. Rosenblatt, President
REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL
Diana P. Bui, Deputy Director
SOUTHEAST ASIA RESOURCE ACTION CENTER
Mark Franken, Executive Director
U.S. CATHOLIC CONFERENCE/MIGRATION & REFUGEE SERVICES
Don Hammond, Vice President
WORLD RELIEF CORPORATION
CC:
Stanley Roth, DOS/EAP
Julia Taft, DOS/PRM
Eric Schwartz, NSC
Mar: 25. 1998 2:50PM INTERACTION
No. 2600 P. 1/4
OInterAction
R
American Council for Voluntary International Action
1717 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. #801, Washington D.C 20036 phone (202)667-8227 fax (202) 667-8236
VIA FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
Total pages: 4
DATE:
March 25, 1998
TO:
Mr. Samuel Berger
National Security Advisor
FAX:
(202) 456-2883
FROM:
Dana Beegun, CMRA
RE:
Jackson-Vanik
MESSAGE:
Please see attached letter from InterAction's Committee on Migration and Refugee Affaris.
If you have any problems with this transmittal, please contact me at (202) 667-8227 ext. 105.
Thank you.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Ms. Ferris:
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.
I share your interest in ensuring that the Resettlement Opportunity
for Vietnamese Returnee (ROVR) program is a success Through the
efforts of Ambassador Pete Peterson, Vietnam agreed to revise its
emigration regulations, which allowed the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) to expedite interviews of Vietnamese
eligible for ROVR. As you know, 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. We believe the granting of a
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
accounting of the approximately 3,000 persons not presented for
interview under the ROVR program and for speedy processing of those
approved for immigration to the United States by the INS.
We welcome any assistance your organizations can provide in
addressing these issues. We will review these and other emigration
issues during the annual review of all countries receiving Jackson-
Vanik waivers, including Vietnam, in June 1998.
Thank you again for writing on this very important issue.
move
Sincerely,
up letter on
page
Samuel R. Berger
Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
Ms. Elizabeth G. Ferris
Chair, Committee on Migration and Refugee Affairs
Save
American Council for Voluntary International Action
Suite 801
1
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
space!