IV

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 231

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.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 17, 1997

Mr. ROHRABACHER (for himself, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. ROYCE, Mr.

HUNTER, and Mr. BURTON of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

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;
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•HRES 231 IH

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

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) urges the Government of the Socialist Re3 public of Vietnam to release immediately and uncon4 ditionally all political prisoners, including Dr.

5 Nguyen Dan Que, Prof. Doan Viet Hoat, Venerable
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•HRES 231 IH

1 Thich Quang Do, Reverend Pham Minh Tri, and

2 evangelist To Dinh Trung, with full restoration of

3 their civil and human rights;

4 (2) requests the President to make clear to the

5 leadership of the Government of the Socialist Repub6 lic of Vietnam—

7 (A) the firm commitment of the American

8 people to political and religious and economic

9 freedom for the people of the Socialist Republic

10 of Vietnam; and

11 (B) the United States fully expects equal

12 protection under the law to all Vietnamese, re13 gardless of religious belief, political philosophy,

14 or previous association; and

15 (3) urges the Government of the Socialist Re16 public of Vietnam—

17 (A) to permit all political organizations in

18 the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to function

19 without intimidation or harassment; and

20 (B) to announce a framework and time21 table for free and fair elections under the spon22 sorship of the United Nations that will allow

23 the Vietnamese people to peacefully choose their

24 local and national leaders.

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