News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

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

Re: Jackson-Vanik Remarks

Date: June 23, 1998

NO WAIVER OF JACKSON-VANIK
(House of Representatives - March 19, 1998)

[Page: H1332]

(Mr. ROYCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, 1 week ago the administration issued a waiver of the Jackson -Vanik amendment, opening the way for OPIC and Exim funds to filter into Vietnam. I was expecting this decision to come from the administration; however, I had hoped that common sense would guide that decision. Vietnam is a Communist country. Its citizens enjoy no religious freedom, little economic freedom, and no freedom to vote, and it is not getting better.

The recent promotion of a hard-line Communist to the Secretary General position, a man who once stated that his government has concerns that foreigners are somehow out to undermine Vietnam's independence, has stalled all hopes of changing the economy in Vietnam. Vietnam is not ready for OPIC. Your support or opposition to OPIC and Exim is not in question here. What is is the government subsidies for businesses in Communist Vietnam.

In anticipation of this decision by the administration, I introduced H.R. 3159, legislation which will now make this waiver null and void. The United States should not extend these benefits to a country that has done little in the way of granting freedom to its citizens. I ask my colleagues to cosponsor this important legislation.