From: nguyen@airmics.gatech.edu (Son Nguyen)
Subject: Re:  [Refugees] Please help stop starvation policy
Originator: daemon@media-lab.media.mit.edu
Reply-To: nguyen@airmics.gatech.edu
Organization: N/A
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 12:51:12 GMT

 > August 19, 1992
 > 
 > Dear netters:
 > 
 > We are writing to request your action on an urgent matter affecting the
 > life of thousands of Vietnamese boat people in Southeast Asia.
 > 
 > According to our reliable sources, the UNHCR has substantially reduced
 > the food rations in Galang Camp, Indonesia. As you can see in the
 > letters from the camps and in the affidavit of a former camp inmate,
 > many families have been in constant hunger for the past several months.
 > Just a few weeks ago, the UNHCR made even further cuts in the rations.
 > 
 > Also, the food situation in Sikiew Camp, Thailand, is comparable to the
 > one in Galang. The attached tables indicate that the caloric intake in
 > both camps is well below the minimum required for a normal person. This
 > means that a great number of Vietnamese boat people are facing
 > malnourishment.
 > 
 > We have contacted UNHCR and the State Department on this urgent issue.
 > However, as with all endeavors, one voice is not enough. We need your
 > help to draw the attention needed to urge UNHCR to reconsider its
 > actions. And, your letter to the State Department will remind it to
 > maintain contact with UNHCR regarding this issue.
 > 
 > Please write to Madame Sadako Ogata to protest the policy of UNHCR to
 > starve Vietnamese asylum seekers into voluntary repatriation.  Please
 > also write to the U.S. State Department (or your country's Ministry of
 > Foreign Affairs) and request a thorough investigation of this policy by
 > UNHCR.
 > 
 > Finally, please contact your representative and senators and urge them
 > to call the State Department and the UNHCR Branch Office in the United
 > States (or in your country) to inquire about the situation and the
 > actions they will take to end a policy which is inconsistent with the
 > proper implementation of the CPA. A list of addresses is enclosed and
 > relevant addresses are marked. Please keep the list for future use.
 > 
 > To aid your endeavors, a sample letter is provided. Also, information
 > on how to write, call, and visit your Congressperson is included.
 > Finally, for your personal information, the proper addresses of
 > government officials is enclosed.
 > 
 > To keep track of our common effort, we would like to request you to
 > return as soon as possible the enclosed form listing the organizations
 > that you have contacted, directly and indirectly, on this issue. Also,
 > for our own records, kindly send us a copy of all your letters
 > regarding the food rations. Our future correspondences will be
 > channeled through this network.
 > 
 > Your prompt action is very much needed because many families in the
 > camps cannot survive much longer under the meager food rations they now
 > receive from UNHCR.
 > 
 > Gratefully yours,
 > 
 > Boat People S.O.S.
 > 
 > ... Stuff deleted...


Dear Anh Tha<'ng,

I agree that this is a very urgent matter.  However, many agencies you
listed have been stonewalling in responding to our pleadings.  It
doesn't mean we should stop doing so, but, in addition, we need to
bring up this matter to the screens, to magazines where most people
will see, hear, and feel.  This result will force those responsible for
the refugees to quickly change their brutal policy.

We need to go to major broadcasters such as ABC, NBC, and CBS or
publishers such as Times, U.S. News, etc. to let them know the
mistreatments the Vietnamese boat people are undergoing.

If you or someone know the addresses of those agencies above, please
post.

Sincerely,

So+n Nguye^~n
Newsgroups: soc.culture.vietnamese