II

104TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. J. RES. 35

Prohibiting funds for diplomatic relations with Vietnam at the ambassadorial

level unless the President certifies to Congress that Vietnam is making

a good faith effort to resolve cases involving United States servicemen

who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, and for other

purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MAY 26 (legislative day, MAY 15), 1995

Mr. CHAFEE introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice

and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

JOINT RESOLUTION

Prohibiting funds for diplomatic relations with Vietnam at

the ambassadorial level unless the President certifies to

Congress that Vietnam is making a good faith effort

to resolve cases involving United States servicemen who

remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, and

for other purposes.

Whereas 2,231 Americans are still unaccounted for from the

Vietnam War, and approximately 100 of these individuals

were last known to be alive;

Whereas the families of missing American servicemen have

been waiting for more than 20 years for answers about

the fate of their loved ones;
2

•SJ 35 IS

Whereas the United States Government is committed to obtaining the fullest possible accounting of missing American servicemen;

Whereas on January 27, 1994, the Senate voted to support

a resolution urging the President to lift the trade embargo against Vietnam;

Whereas on February 3, 1994, the President lifted the trade

embargo against Vietnam;

Whereas on February 3, 1995, in Hanoi and February 1,

1995, in Washington, D.C., the United States and Vietnam opened diplomatic liaison offices;

Whereas the United States and Vietnam appear to be moving

closer to establishing normal diplomatic relations;

Whereas there is broad consensus that normalization of diplomatic relations with Vietnam must be contingent upon

the fullest possible accounting of American servicemen

unaccounted for during the Vietnam War;

Whereas normal diplomatic relations between the United

States and Vietnam would require an exchange of ambassadors between the two countries; and

Whereas the Senate, under the United States Constitution, is

responsible for confirming ambassadorial appointments

by the President: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That none of the funds made available under any provision

4 of law may be used to maintain diplomatic relations with

5 Vietnam at the ambassadorial level unless, prior to Senate

6 confirmation of any ambassador to Vietnam, the President
3

•SJ 35 IS

1 certifies to Congress that Vietnam is making a good faith

2 effort to resolve cases involving United States servicemen

3 who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

4 SEC. 2. Effective one year after the United States

5 commences diplomatic relations with Vietnam at the am6 bassadorial level, none of the funds made available under

7 any provision of law may be used to maintain diplomatic

8 relations with Vietnam unless a certification described in

9 section 3 is in effect.

10 SEC. 3. (a) A certification under this section is a cer11 tification made by the President to Congress that, during

12 the preceding year, Vietnam has made a good faith effort

13 to resolve cases involving United States servicemen who

14 remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

15 (b) Each certification made under this section shall

16 be effective for a period of one year.

Æ