From: groucho!thinh@uu.psi.com (Thinh N. Nguyen)
Subject: [POL]Re: Normalization w/ Vietnam
Originator: daemon@media-lab.media.mit.edu
Reply-To: groucho!thinh@uu.psi.com
Organization: SCV Relay
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 01:52:22 GMT

Hi netters:

I would like to response to the posting by Mr. Max Becherer about an article 
entitled "Light at the End of the Tunnel: US-Vietnam Relations" by Carlyle Thayer.

Overall, Mr. Becherer applauded the trade embargo that US put on Vietnam and 
expressed disapointment as he certained it will be abolished soon. My two questions 
to Mr. Becherer are:

1. Does the trade embargo punish Hanoi or the already over-suffering Vietnamese?
 
2. Are your motives in supporting the trade embargo have anything to do with human 
rights at all?

********** 1 ************ 

Is the normalization of relations will help Hanoi oppressed its people? I think not. 
These people have been at it for over 45 years and they don't need anyone's help 
or permission to do it. On second thought, they did had the US's permission when 
you walked out on S. Vietnam in 1975. We have to concentrate on having a chance 
to educated the Vietnamese, improved their condition and their will stand up for 
their rights. 

I believe that abolish the trade embargo would improve the human right situation 
in Vietnam. Once the trade embargo is lifted, many American businessmen and 
volunteers workers (especialy Vietnamese American) will flood the country with 
ideas and thoughts of freedom and democracy. There will be more eyes and ears 
to watch Hanoi's behaviors. An US embassy in Saigon (HCMCT) would serve as an 
excelent place for political disidents to seek refuge. How do we observe the 
human right condition in a place when we are not present? How can we force 
someone to change when we don't give them anything at all? There are many 
issues such as environmental protection, working conditions, education etc... 
that require the expertise and dedication of the Vietnamese American before 
it's too late. If it's up to the French and Japanese businessmen, they will 
turn Saigon into a another Bangkok for profits. Look at Vietnam right now, the 
protitution problem is already out of control. Didn't US GIs make enough 
protitutes out of Vietnamese women already.


********** 2 ************ 

Human rights including the right to be fed, the right to have jobs and the 
right to earn the wealth that you deserve.

I believe that the Communists are not the only culprits for the failure of 
Vietnam today. The US should be responible for destroyed her beyond repair 
for a war that they have no business being involved. Some former leaders of 
South Vietnam government should be responsible for looting her of wealth 
and limited capitals.

How about the right of boat people in Hong Kong who are being deported everyday? 
Why didn't the US concern about their rights? Human right issues can only be 
used when it is convenient for your political motives isn't it?.

+> breakthrough' was announced, a number of American politicians and
+> Vietnamese-American lobby groups voiced their opposition to normalization.
+> They argued that Vietnam should respect human rights first and that
+> normalization should occur only after the communist regime was removed from
+> power and freedom and democracy restored to Vietnam.
+            ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^
+   These are PRECICELY the conditions under which the United States should
+restore relations with Vietnam.  What, I would like to ask, is wrong with 
+that ?  Why shouldn't freedom and human rights be preconditions to normal 
+ .
+ .
+ .
+this article. In fact, Mr. Thayer trivialized the importance of these issues
+when he portrayed freedom-loving Vietnamese and their American friends as the
+villains in the normalization arguement.

I would like to bring your attention to this line:

+> normalization should occur only after the communist regime was removed from
                              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Does all this sound familiar to you Mr. Becherer? This is how the US'd got 
involved in Vietnam the last time. Are you suggesting that the US government 
should REMOVED the current government and support a group of fredom-loving 
Vietnamese friends of your? Didn't the US learn anything from the Vietnam war?
Didn't you support these people once and it didn't work out? Let's leave 
it to the Vietnamese to settle the differences peacefully among themself. 

We all know that the Communist regime in Vietnam has a very long way to go 
on the human rights and other issues, but why do you suggest that the US 
government should start all this to the people of Vietnam all over again. 
You don't seem to think that Vietnamese capable of choosing the right 
government. Not right now, but in the near future, when they have enough to 
eat, they will. Right now, one more Vietnamese die fighting is one more too many.

I strongly believe that the US should pay our debts to the Vietnamese one way 
or another. Isn't that the American way or has it been changed? When you see 
a homeless family on the street, are you going to help them or asking question?

+ will be a sad day for the Vietnamese people.  The United States maintained
+ the embargo for so long because of the MIA issue, and (though no one will
+ admit it) out of spite because America lost the war.

I admired your knowledge about Vietnam and your concerns for Vietnamese in 
Vietnam moved me deeply, but I disagreed with your reasonning. For those 
American who still want to punish Vietnamese for winning the war as you 
have suggested, I say: "Grow up a little and learn to live with it."
 
sincerely your,
Thi.nh n. Nguye^~n










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