News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update 14 APR 99

Date: April 26, 1999

From the National League of Families.

National League of Families
UPDATE LINE: APRIL 14, 1999

Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Wednesday, April 14th. The number of Americans still missing from the Vietnam War is 2,063.

Some time ago, the Defense Department provided information that six Americans previously missing from the Vietnam War had been identified; however, their names are still not publicly available. Two of the four are the result of joint recovery in Cambodia; one in Laos was unilaterally recovered in February 1988, with subsequent recoveries in 1993 and 1998. Three were jointly recovered in Vietnam. This brings the number still missing and unaccounted for to 2,063: 1,537 in Vietnam, 444 in Laos, 74 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. It is again noted that of the 2,063 still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, over 90% were lost in areas under Vietnamese control at the time of their incidents. For this reason, the League looks to Vietnam to unilaterally provide remains and records that could help account for hundreds of Americans.

The League is again sending a delegation to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from May 12-20th in an effort to reinforce the families' views on the status of efforts to account for America's POW/MIAs. While appreciating and recognizing some improvements in the ongoing accounting process, the League has consistently stressed the need for increased unilateral actions by the Government of Vietnam, better integration of US efforts between departments and agencies and various improvements in Laos and Cambodia. The League last sent a delegation in May 1997.

>From February 23rd Ü March 27th, a team of about 100 US personnel conducted a series of joint field operations in Vietnam. Plans called for investigations and remains recovery operations in 34 Vietnamese provinces, involving 49 cases, both aircraft and ground losses, and as many as 8 excavations. Reportedly, remains were recovered from some sites. POW/MIA technical talks are taking place this week, and discussions on discrepancy cases involving Americans last known alive will follow.

>From March 9-April 7th, two US teams totaling 73 personnel conducted joint field operations in Laos and Cambodia. In Laos, 3 primary sites were excavated and, reportedly, remains were recovered. 30 cases involving potential aircraft and ground losses were scheduled for investigation. One excavation was extended for over a week longer than planned, with full cooperation of the Lao government. POW/MIA consultations will be held April 28-29th in Vientiane. US research teams completed review of wartime Lao archival films in Savannakhet Province and will soon do the same in Xieng Khoang and Houaphan provinces in the north, and Attapeu province in the south.

In Cambodia, 2 primary sites were excavated and several cases were investigated. Remains believed to be those of two US servicemen missing since the failed attempt to rescue the American merchant ship Mayaguez in 1975 were flown from Cambodia to the US army's CILHI on March 6th. All 40 crew members of the Mayaguez were eventually released by the Khmer Rouge regime then in power, but 18 members of the rescue mission disappeared on the island of Koh Tang on May 14, 1975.

The League's 30th Annual meeting will be held June 16-19th in Washington, DC. All Vietnam War POW/MIA families are welcome to attend. Veterans and other concerned Americans may attend by invitation. Registration and hotel reservation forms are available by request from the League's national office, 202-223-6846, or by email through the League's web site, pow-miafamilies.org.

Due to limited staff and funding, it is not possible to send large amounts of public awareness material. Instead, single copies of current information are available for duplication. POW/MIA window decals are available for $20 per 100. There is current, factual information available on the League's web site at pow-miafamilies.org. For information regarding any matter in this recording, call the League office at 202/223-6846. If no one can take your call, please leave a message with the subject, your name, address, and telephone number. Again, thank you for calling.