US Congress Voices Concern Re. Thai Binh


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Subject: [SOC] US Congress Voices Concern Re. Thai Binh

105th CONGRESS	
1st SESSION

H. RES. 231

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. ROHRABACHER (for himself, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. ROYCE, Mr. HUNTER,
Mr. BURTON of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred
to the Committee on September 18, 1997.

RESOLUTION

Urging the President to make clear to the Government of the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam the commitment of the American people in support of
democracy and religious and economic freedom for the people of the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam.

Whereas since May 1997, non-violent demonstrations supporting democracy,
religious freedom, and clean government have occurred throughout Thai Binh,
Thanh Hoa, Hung Yen and Nghe An provinces in northern Vietnam and in Long
Khanh, Bien Hoa and Ba Ria provinces in southern Vietnam;

Whereas between 100 and 200 leaders of the demonstrations have been arrested;

Whereas the criminal law of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is used to
punish advocates of political pluralism and religious freedom, and on April
14, 1997, an administrative decree was signed into law granting enhanced
judicial powers to the security forces to place under house arrest or subject
to reeducation camps, for up to two years, any civilians expected of
"endangering national security";

Whereas the leaders of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam are seeking to
expand trade relations with the United States;

Whereas there is widespread discontent within the foreign business community
in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with some companies pulling out
entirely, others freezing new investments, and nearly all complaining about
endemic corruption, intransigent bureaucracy, and a lack of clear commitment
to legitimate economic reform;

Whereas in August 1997, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported
that child labor exploitation is on the rise in the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam with tens of thousands of children under 15 years of age laboring in
gold and coal mines, often for 14 hours per day with meager or no payment;
and

Whereas the United States, as the leader of the free world, has
responsibility to promote political and economic freedom throughout the
world: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives --

urges the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release
immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners, including Dr. Nguyen
Dan Que, Prof. Doan Viet Hoat, Venerable Thich Quang Do, Reverend Pham Minh
Tri, and evangelist To Dinh Trung, with full restoration of their civil and
human rights;

requests the President to make clear to the leadership of the Government of
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam--

(A) the firm commitment of the American people to political and religious and
economic freedom for the people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and

(B) the United States fully expects equal protection under the law to all
Vietnamese, regardless of religious belief, political philosophy, or previous
association; and

urges the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam--

to permit all political organizations in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to
function without intimidation or harassment; and

to announce a framework and time-table for free and fair elections under the
sponsorship of the United Nations that will allow the Vietnamese people to
peacefully choose their local and national leaders.