News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update Line

Date: February 10, 2001

"Update Line

Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Thursday, February 8th. According to the Department of Defense, the number of Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War is now 1,990.

The Department of Defense announced last week that LtCol Roscoe Fobair, USAF, is now accounted for. Missing since July 24, 1965, LtCol Fobair's remains, jointly recovered in Vietnam, were repatriated on January 16, 1998. The League extends understanding to the relatives and friends of LtCol Fobair, confident that the accounting for him brings long awaited peace of mind. This brings the number still missing and unaccounted for in Vietnam to 1497; 418 are still missing in Laos, 67 unaccounted for in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. Over 90% of the 1,990 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War were lost in areas under Vietnam's wartime control.

At the January 19th Salute to Veterans inaugural event, Vice President Dick Cheney pledged renewed efforts to achieve the fullest possible accounting for America's POW/MIAs. Following several earlier commitments by then President-Elect George W. Bush, this commitment, though not surprising, is most welcome and appreciated. Strong records of support and involvement by many senior Administration officials and nominees, including Ambassador Paul Wolfowitz, announced February 6th as the Deputy Secretary of Defense-designate, offer the promise of serious, objective policy on POW/MIA over the next several years.

In mid-January, the Commander in Chief, US Pacific Command, Admiral Dennis Blair, visited Laos and Cambodia for meetings with senior officials during which he reinforced the importance of serious efforts to account for missing Americans and expressed appreciation for their efforts. In both countries, the Admiral also visited incident sites to see firsthand the work of US and host-country personnel. The Admiral was also scheduled to go to Vietnam, but at the last minute, Vietnam canceled the visit.

During consultations in early December, the US at long last responded to the May 1999 Lao proposal to hold a seminar in Vientiane, during which JTF-FA, CILHI, Stony Beach and LSEL will brief Lao officials from throughout the country on the accounting effort.

This seminar, strongly advocated and supported by the League, will enhance understanding on the part of Lao officials whose help is crucial to success.

Both Laos and Vietnam conducted unilateral investigations during the month of December, pursuing leads provided by the US to locate witnesses for subsequent joint interview in both countries. Month-long joint field operations just concluded in Laos and begin today in Vietnam, preceded by technical talks in Hanoi late last week. Joint investigations in Cambodia, conducted in November, prepared the way for full-scale joint operations in Cambodia that concluded this week with a repatriation ceremony in Phnom Penh of remains associated with the Mayaguez incident. Several cases were scheduled for investigation and excavation in all three Indochina countries.

The next Family Update sponsored by the Defense POW/MIA Office will be held February 24th in San Francisco, CA, preceded by a forum for veterans on February 23rd. Family members within a 300 mile radius should have been notified; however, others who wish to attend the update should contact their Service Casualty Office to register for the meeting. Veterans and others who wish to attend the Veterans Briefing can obtain information by calling DPMO at 703-602-2101, Ext. 111.

A League Region II and III meeting will be held May 4-5th at the Naval Education Training Center, Newport, RI. This meeting is open to all League members and, by invitation, to concerned veterans and other citizens, by calling Region III Coordinator Maureen Dunn, 781-961-2110. Billeting in Navy Visiting Officers Quarters will be available on a first come-first served basis.

The League's 32nd Annual Meeting will be held June 21-24th at Crystal City's DoubleTree Hotel, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Family members and concerned supporters are urged to attend this important first annual meeting of the Bush Administration. We again anticipate DOD-sponsored, round-trip travel for two family members per missing man to attend the annual meeting.

POW/MIA car-window decals are available at a cost of $20 per 100 by sending a check to the League office at 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 919, Washington, DC 20036. POW/MIA lapel pins are also available at $3 each or 2/$5. For added information on any subject, please contact the League's web site at www.pow-miafamilies.org or call the national office at 202-223-6846. If no one is available to take your call, please leave a message. Again, thank you for calling.


The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia
1001 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Suite 919
Washington, D.C. 20036-5504
(TEL) 202-223-6846 Federal
Tax ID #23-7071242"