News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re:NLF Update

Date: November 10, 1999

National League of Families
UPDATE LINE: NOVEMBER 10, 1999

Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Wednesday, November 10th. The number of Americans missing from the Vietnam War is 2,045.

DOD announced today three of the seven names of Americans previously missing from the Vietnam War who have been accounted for. Two of the seven are air Force Major Thomas H. Amos of Springfield, MO, and Captain Mason I. Burnham of Portland, Oregon, both of whom had been missing in Laos along the Vietnam-Laos border since April 20, 1972. Their remains were jointly recovered over a lengthy period between 1994 and 1998. The third American whose name was released is Sergeant First Class William S. Stinson, US Army, unaccounted for since January 8, 1973, in a UH-1H Huey helicopter in South Vietnam. Another 4 US servicemen are now also accounted for from that same incident, but their families declined public announcement of the names of those involved.

It is also known that two additional servicemen are accounted for, though no announcement has been made regarding their identification. It is known only that their remains were recovered from North Vietnam, but the year is not yet known. This brings the total accounted for to 538. To each family identified, the League offers sincere understanding and the hope that long-awaited peace of mind is finally obtained.

The League appreciates the cooperation of the Lao and Vietnamese governments that made possible the accounting for these US personnel.

Joint field operations in Vietnam ended October 22nd, after a period of about 30 days. CILHI and JTF-FA teams conducted activities in several provinces, working with counterpart Vietnamese personnel. The previously scheduled joint field operations that were to occur later this month have been postponed due to the devastating floods that have occurred in central Vietnam. However, US-Vietnam technical talks were held November 5th in Nha Trang, Vietnam, in preparation for the next JFA, now delayed until after the new year.

In Laos, joint field operations began October 19th from a new base camp in southern Laos and are expected to conclude around November 19th. The Archival Research Team recently concluded film reviews in Xieng Khoang and Houa Phan Provinces, and the Lao Government has agreed to refocus unilateral efforts on archival research. The FY2000 operational plan was recently presented to the Lao Government by JTF-FA, and no problems are anticipated.

In Cambodia, after nearly one year, joint field operations are now scheduled to begin January 11th and will continue until February 9th. The lack of more frequent JFAs in Cambodia is not due to unwillingness on the part of the Cambodian government, but to lack of sites recommended for recovery. Vietnamese archives and sources of information on cases in Cambodia are needed and have been requested, thus far without much success.

The League is still very disappointed that there has been no effective 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. The League had hoped that these important opportunities would not be squandered, but apparently they were during Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Bob Jones June 21st trip to all three countries. Mr. Jones is now planning a return trip to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It is the League's hope that he will effectively follow up on the commitments made to the League during this upcoming visit. 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.