News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Vietnam to Release Data on POW-MIAs

Date: April 02, 1999

The following is just in to AII POW-MIA from Represntative Loretta Sbnchez's office.

Subj: RE: Trip Report
From: Laura.Rodriguez@mail.house.gov (Rodriguez, Laura)
To: Bob Necci AIIPOWMIAI@aol.com

Sanchez: Vietnam to release MIA data

GOVERNMENT: A May 4 ceremony will include 'good information,' the congresswoman says.

April 1, 1999

By DENA BUNIS

The Orange County Register

Vietnamese government officials told Rep. Loretta Sanchez in Hanoi this week that they will release information next month on hundreds of missing war-era soldiers, fulfilling a commitment made to US officials last year.

Sanchez, in an interview Wednesday from Ho Chi Minh City, said she was told there would be some "surprises" and "good information" about the list of 549 of the missing.

The information, she said, is to be turned over to the United States on May 4 at a ceremony in which remains of what are believed to be US soldiers would be returned.

"We impressed upon (them) the importance to American families and the humanitarian and compassionate reasons why we spend so much time and effort to try to close out these cases," said Sanchez, D-Santa Ana.

The release of information on the most sensitive and heart-wrenching issue remaining from the Vietnam War would come as Vietnam wants to prove it is cooperating with the United States.

Such cooperation would make it more likely the Clinton administration would continue to waive trade restrictions on the communist country and move toward more normalized relations.

Giving visiting US dignitaries a commitment to provide information is standard for Vietnamese officials. But following through isn't.

While there is no guarantee this time, the Pentagon is optimistic.

"The documents we hope they are turning over will shed some light on specific cases by name," said Defense Department spokesman Larry Greer.

Judie Taber of La Habra, whose brother disappeared in North Vietnam 33 years ago, said the information will be "significant if it turns out to be information that allows our government to pursue these cases further."