News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update

Date: October 07, 1999

National League of Families
UPDATE LINE: OCTOBER 7, 1999

Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Thursday, October 7th. The number of Americans now missing from the Vietnam War is now 2,047.

Although the public announcement of names has not yet been made, seven Americans previously missing from the Vietnam War have been accounted for, two from Laos and 5 from South Vietnam. All were accounted for as a result of joint field operations during the first Clinton Administration. The League is pleased that several more POW/MIA families have gained peace of mind by receiving answers and appreciates the cooperation of the Lao and Vietnamese governments with JTF-FA and CILHI that made possible the accounting for these 7 US personnel, two Air Force and 5 Army.

In honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 17th, Secretary of Defense William Cohen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Hugh Shelton and Senator Max Cleland of Georgia dedicated the inscription on the empty Vietnam War crypt at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery. All three expressed strong support for achieving the fullest possible accounting and honored the families of those still missing, while expressing our nation's gratitude for the service of returned POWs and those still missing. At the conclusion of the ceremony, immediately following the Missing Man flyovers of F16's and helicopters, League members in attendance were permitted to lay single yellow roses at the Tomb of the Unknowns for the Vietnam War. The inscription now carved in marble "HONORING AND KEEPING FAITH WITH AMERICA'S MISSING SERVICEMEN."

US Task Force Russia personnel continue to be actively engaged in conducting interviews with retired Russian servicemen who may have information on American losses, primarily in North Vietnam. Although access to archival material is still restricted, operations on the ground continue to be permitted. In addition, the Secretary of Defense recently raised to his Russian counterpart the need for continued cooperation and improved access to needed records. Receiving a commitment in response would be a welcome development, one that the League certainly supports.

Joint field operations in Vietnam are ongoing in several provinces, conducted by a large JTF-FA and CILHI team working with counterpart Vietnamese personnel. In Laos, the first Oral History Interview was conducted in Vientiane, a significant step, though no further interviews are as yet scheduled. The Joint Archival Research Team recently concluded film reviews in Xieng Khoang Province and is now in Houa Phan Province for the same purpose, expecting to complete their review by the end of this week. The US presented the work plan for the first FY2000 Joint Field Activity in Laos early this week and expect no problem with implementation in early November.

The League is very disappointed that there has been no serious US Government follow-up to the several initiatives that resulted from the League's May 11-22nd delegation to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Each of these governments agreed to participate in a 4-party conference concept and pledged renewed efforts in specific areas, including unilateral actions. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs Bob Jones briefly visited all three Indochina countries June 23-29th. The League had hoped that these important opportunities would not be squandered, but apparently they were. The full report of the League's May 11-22nd Delegation to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia is available on the League's web site: pow-miafamilies.org or by calling the League's office at 202-223-6846.

Due to limited staff and funding, the League is unable to provide large amounts of public awareness material. Current, factual information is available on the League's web site at pow-miafamilies.org or the League office can provide single copies for duplication. POW/MIA window decals are $20 per 100 from the League office. For information on any matter in this recording, call 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.