News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci
(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Vietnam to Release Prisoners

Date: July 26, 1998

Vietnam, a communist country that has kept its prisoners prisoner for countless years has suddenly been reported to be ready to begin granting upwards of 8,000 amnesties.

The odd timing comes in the middle of the Jackson-Vanik waiver battle where Vietnam's miserable human rights record has been publicly trashed and many people have stated that unless Vietnam gets with the program the battle will continue. One must wonder of there is a State Department script somewhere in the background giving Vietnam the map to follow to get all the perks of trade credits and MFN.

Just days away from a Congressional vote, Vietnam is suddenly reported as finding a conscience and releasing 'model' prisoners who have spent a minimum of 12 years of a life sentence or one-third of their term. Inclusive in the amnesty program would be those suffering ill-health or those who had previously served the revolution.

The releases are planned to coincide with the communist country's national holiday on September 2nd. With that in mind it should be noted that no information on political or spiritual prisoners has been made available. Not surprisingly Vietnam claims they have no political prisoners... then again, Vietnam claims it held no POWs either.