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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: 2039 Document ID: 9803788 Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: V 45 5 3 1 UNCLASSIFIED RECORD ID: 9803788 NSC/RMO PROFILE RECEIVED: 26 MAY 98 15 TO: PASCRELL, WILLIAM FROM: PRESIDENT DOC DATE: 18 JUN 98 SOURCE REF: KEYWORDS: VIETNAM MFN CO HUMAN RIGHTS POWS MIAS PERSONS: SUBJECT: LTR FM REP PASCRELL ON VIETNAM ACTION: FOR DISPATCH DUE DATE: 06 JUN 98 STATUS: C STAFF OFFICER: GAGNON LOGREF: FILES: WH NSCP: CODES: DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION FOR ACTION FOR CONCURRENCE FOR INFO WH STRIPPING DESK GAGNON 1 NSC CHRON RUDMAN COMMENTS: SP DISPATCHED BY DATE 6/19 BY HAND W/ATTCH OPENED BY: NSTSM CLOSED BY: NSGP DOC 4 OF 4 UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED RECORD ID: 9803788 ACTION DATA SUMMARY REPORT DOC ACTION OFFICER CAO ASSIGNED ACTION REQUIRED 001 GAGNON Z 98052615 PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER 002 BERGER Z 98060916 FWD TO PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE 002 STEIN, L Z 98060916 FOR SIGNATURE 002 EXECSEC Z 98061110 FOR FURTHER ACTION 002 STEIN, L Z 98061117 FOR SIGNATURE 003 PRESIDENT Z 98061722 FOR SIGNATURE 004 X 98061906 PRESIDENT SGD LTR 004 WH STRIPPING DESK X 98061906 FOR DISPATCH DISPATCH DATA SUMMARY REPORT DOC DATE DISPATCH FOR ACTION DISPATCH FOR INFO 004 980618 PASCRELL, WILLIAM 004 980618 WH STRIPPING DESK UNCLASSIFIED National Security Council The White House PROOFED BY: LOG # 3788 URGENT NOT PROOFED: SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS BYPASSED WW DESK: DOCLOG SUP A/O SEQUENCE TO INITIAL/DATE DISPOSITION Cosgriff 1 1826/18 Rice Davies Kerrick Steinberg Berger Situation Room 2 SWD6/18 A West Wing Desk D Records Mgt. A = Action I = Information D = Dispatch R = Retain N = No Further Action CC: Date COMMENTS: June 18, 1998 "98JUN 18 pm 6:01 Exec Sec Office has diskette - - National Security Council The White House PROOFED BY: LOG # 3788 URGENT NOT PROOFED: SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS BYPASSED WW DESK: DOCLOG M A/O R SEQUENCE TO INITIAL/DATE DISPOSITION Cosgriff Rice Davies / 86/8 Kerrick 2 06/9 Steinberg copy Berger cry Situation Room West Wing Desk 3 B 6/9 DPOR Records Mgt. A = Action I = Information D = Dispatch R = Retain N = No Further Action CC: COMMENTS: Don (6/8 "98JUN "98 8PM 7:52 Suggest you initial Exec Sec Office has diskette yes you National Security Council The White House PROOFED BY: LOG # 3788 URGENT NOT PROOFED: SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS BYPASSED WW DESK: DOCLOG SUP A/O SEQUENCE TO INITIAL/DATE DISPOSITION Cosgriff 1 1826/18 Rice Davies Kerrick Steinberg Berger Situation Room 2 8WD6/18 A West Wing Desk D Records Mgt. A = Action I = Information D = Dispatch R = Retain N = No Further Action cc: Date COMMENTS: June 18, 1998 "98 JUN 18PM 6:01 Exec Sec Office has diskette National Security Council The White House PROOFED BY: LOG # 3788 URGENT NOT PROOFED. SYSTEM PRS NSC INT ARS BYPASSED WW DESK: DOCLOG A/O d SEQUENCE TO INITIAL/DATE DISPOSITION Cosgriff Rice Davies / 66/8 Kerrick 2 D6/9 I Steinberg copy Berger cry Situation Room West Wing Desk 3 36/9 3 DP6R Records Mgt. ( 6/8 A = Action I = Information D = Dispatc Don Action CC: Suggest you initial COMMENTS: '98 JUN 8 pm 7:52 watirs Exec Sec Office has diskette yes THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON June 18, 1998 Dear Representative Pascrell: 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 to take 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. We have a comprehensive POW/MIA accounting program in Vietnam that includes joint operations and unilateral activities conducted by the Vietnamese. Because of the high degree of Vietnamese cooperation and the concrete results we have achieved, I determined Vietnam was cooperating fully and in good faith with us in achieving the fullest possible accounting for Americans unaccounted for in the Vietnam War. Similarly, I share the importance you attach to Vietnam's policy on emigration. Through the efforts of Ambassador Pete Peterson, Vietnam agreed last year 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 the 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. 2 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 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. The State Department's latest human rights report highlights Vietnam's poor record. 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 me on this very important issue. Sincerely, Bin Cluiton The Honorable Bill Pascrell, Jr. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 3788 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON June 17, 1998 '98JUN17 PRI1:01 ACTION MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM: SAMUEL BERGER after LARRY STEIN JJS SUBJECT: Letter from Representative Pascrell on Vietnam Purpose Reply to Representative Pascrell on Vietnam policy. Background Representative Pascrell objects to any waiver of the Jackson- Vanik amendment for Vietnam, arguing that Vietnam has not shown sufficient progress on POW/MIA accounting. Your reply expresses your belief that. the non-MFN Jackson-Vanik waiver will promote further progress on POW/MIA accounting, which remains our priority objective with Vietnam. RECOMMENDATION That you sign the letter at Tab A. Attachments Tab A Letter to Representative Pascrell Tab B Incoming Correspondence CC: Vice President Chief of Staff 267852 3788 BILL PASCRELL, JR. COMMITTEES: 8TH DISTRICT. NEW JERSEY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE WASHINGTON, OFFICE: SUBCOMMITTEE ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION 1722 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES WASHINGTON, DC 20515 AND ENVIRONMENT (202) 225-5751 (202) 225-5782 FAX Congress of the United States COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMPOWERMENT PATERSON OFFICE: House of Representatives ROBERT A. ROE FEDERAL BUILDING 200 FEDERAL PLAZA, SUITE 500 PATERSON, NJ 07505 (973) 523-5152 (973) 523-0637 FAX May 14, 1998 MAY 22 =5:10 President Bill Clinton The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: I am writing with regard to your recent waiver of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment of the Trade Act of 1974 as it pertains to Vietnam. As you know, the Jackson-Vanik Amendment bars the U.S. government from giving trade and investment funding to non-market economy nations unless the President certifies compliance with human rights and free emigration. Concerning the Republic of Vietnam, the Amendment also contains very specific requirements of cooperation toward the accounting of U.S. personnel missing from the Vietnam War. I believe that your waiver of Jackson-Vanik relating to Vietnam was premature because the current National Intelligence Estimate has not been fully completed. Therefore, I ask that you re-evaluate your decision to waive Jackson-Vanik. Moreover, if the National Intelligence Estimate, which is scheduled to be released shortly, indicates that Vietnam is not meeting U.S. intelligence expectations on the disclosure of information regarding our captured and missing in action, then I further ask that you suspend the waiver and reinstate Jackson-Vanik. We should not engage in full economic and trade relations with Vietnam until all our captured and missing in action are fully accounted for. This can only be achieved with Vietnam's full cooperation. This is a matter of great concern to numerous constituents of mine, many of whom served America with valor in Vietnam. I eagerly await your response. Sincerely, Bill Pascrell Bill Pascrell, Jr. Member of Congress THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON May 22, 1998 MEMORANDUM FOR GLYN DAVIES NSC Executive Secretariat FROM: JANET MURGUIA for Jon Legislative Affairs SUBJECT: Presidential Correspondence Attached are copies of letters sent to the President by various Members of Congress. Since these letters address national security issues, we would appreciate your assistance in drafting a response. Thank you very much for your assistance. If you have any questions, please call Peter Greenberger at x67500. The following is a brief description of the letters: 1) Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) and Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD), concerning the Northrop Grumman Corporation and Secretary Cohen's upcoming trip to Argentina, 2) Rep. David Dreier (R-CA) and others, concerning trade relations with China, 3) Rep. Bill Goodling (R-PA), concerning the President's upcoming trip to China, 4) Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) and 152 others, concerning the President's upcoming trip to China, 5) Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), concerning recent events in India, 6) Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), urging the Administration to support peace talks in Cyprus, 7) Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), concerning the Jackson-Vanik Amendment and Vietnam, 8) Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and 35 others, concerning Indonesia; and, 9) Rep. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), concerning U.S. MAY 22 19:16 foreign policy toward Iran. Enclosures UNCLASSIFIED RECORD ID: 9803788 NSC/RMO PROFILE RECEIVED: 26 MAY 98 15 TO: PRESIDENT FROM: PASCRELL, WILLIAM DOC DATE: 14 MAY 98 SOURCE REF: KEYWORDS: VIETNAM MFN CO HUMAN RIGHTS POWS MIAS PERSONS: SUBJECT: JACKSON - VANIK WAIVER FOR VIETNAM & NATL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE ACTION: PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER DUE DATE: 06 JUN 98 STATUS: S STAFF OFFICER: GAGNON LOGREF: FILES: WH NSCP: CODES: DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION FOR ACTION FOR CONCURRENCE FOR INFO GAGNON BAKER CLARKE LEE KRISTOFF RUDMAN MCCARTHY SCHWARTZ Do Incluels we 19.1 response, to to sign poetyer COMMENTS: IF FINAL REPLY CANNOT BE PREPARED BY DUE DATE, AN INTERIM RESPONSE MUST BE PREPARED FOR MARA RUDMAN'S SIGNATURE. DISPATCHED BY DATE BY HAND W/ATTCH OPENED BY: NSTSM CLOSED BY: DOC 1 OF 1 UNCLASSIFIED PRESIDENTIAL/NSA CORRESPONDENCE IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED ACTION OFFICER: GACONON LOG NUMBER: 3782 DUE DATE: GOW 6 DATE STAFFED: 26MMY CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESSED TO: PRESIDENT NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR FROM: RES. PASCRELL PREPARE A RESPONSE FOR THE PRESIDENT'S OR NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR'S SIGNATURE WITHIN 10 DAYS. IF A LETTER DOES NOT REQUIRE A RESPONSE, PLEASE RETURN IT TO RECORDS MANAGEMENT (RM 379) WITH THIS FORM, ANNOTATED ACCORDINGLY. NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL 3788 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504 May 28, 1998 ACTION MEMORANDUM FOR SAMUEL R. BERGER THROUGH: SANDRA J. KRISTOFF FROM: JAMES M. GAGNON SUBJECT: Letter from Representative Pascrell on Vietnam Representative Pascrell wrote the President regarding the Jackson-Vanik waiver for Vietnam. The proposed reply reviews our policy and reaffirms that achieving the fullest possible accounting for our POW/MIA's remains our top priority. CA mL SB Concurrences by: Charles Allen, Malcolm Lee, Scott Busby GAW Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley RECOMMENDATION That you sign the memorandum to the President at Tab I. Attachments Tab I Memo to the President Tab A Letter to Representative Pascrell Tab B Incoming Correspondence THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON Dear Representative Pascrell: 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 to take 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. We have a comprehensive POW/MIA accounting program in Vietnam that includes joint operations and unilateral activities conducted by the Vietnamese. Because of the high degree of Vietnamese cooperation and the concrete results we have achieved, I determined Vietnam was cooperating fully and in good faith with us in achieving the fullest possible accounting for Americans unaccounted for in the Vietnam War. Similarly, I share the importance you attach to Vietnam's } on emigration, Through the efforts of Ambassador Pete Pete (?) Vietnam agreed last year to revise emigration regulations, allowed the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (IN Opportunity expedite interviews of Vietnamese eligible for the Resettle Opportunity for Vietnamese Returnee (ROVR) program. The ch for The has increased significantly the number of ROVR candidates b Vietnameso processed by the INS. The Vietnamese authorities have loca and approved for interview 14,000 of the estimated 18,000 persons we believe are eligible to participate in ROVR. PHOTOCOPY PRESERVATION CLINTON LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY THE WHITE HOUSE (?) WASHINGTON Opportunity for The Vietnamese Dear Representative Pascrell: 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 to take 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. We have a comprehensive POW/MIA accounting program in Vietnam that includes joint operations and unilateral activities conducted by the Vietnamese. Because of the high degree of Vietnamese cooperation and the concrete results we have achieved, I determined Vietnam was cooperating fully and in good faith with us in achieving the fullest possible accounting for Americans unaccounted for in the Vietnam War. Similarly, I share the importance you attach to Vietnam's policy on emigration Through the efforts of Ambassador Pete Peterson, Vietnam agreed last year to revise emigration regulations, which allowed the 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. NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL ID 9803788 REFERRAL DATE: 19 JUN 98 MEMORANDUM FOR: WH STRIPPING DESK DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: TO: PASCRELL, WILLIAM SOURCE: PRESIDENT DATE: 18 JUN 98 SUBJ: LTR FM REP PASCRELL ON VIETNAM REQUIRED ACTION: FOR DISPATCH DUEDATE: 20 JUN 98 COMMENT: M.Parter FOR JOHN W. FICKLIN NSC RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICE