News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update

Date: February 21, 2001

"Update Line

Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Wednesday, February 21st. According to the Department of Defense, the number of Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War is 1,987.

The Department of Defense recently announced 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.

In addition, three US personnel previously missing in South Vietnam have been accounted for, though their names have not yet been publicly released. The remains of one, a US Army Warrant Officer, were turned over to US officials during field operations December 13, 1993. Remains of the second, also US Army, were jointly recovered and repatriated June 27, 2000. The third American, a civilian employee of the US Government, was unilaterally repatriated by the government of Vietnam in 1989. The accounting for these four Americans brings the number still missing and unaccounted for in Vietnam to 1494; 418 in Laos, 67 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. Over 90% of the 1,987 Americans still missing and unaccounted for 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 pledge was most welcome and appreciated, though not at all surprising. Strong records of support and involvement by many senior Administration officials and nominees offer the promise of serious, objective policy on POW/MIA accounting matters over the next several years. In addition to the Vice President and the Secretary of State, these include Ambassador Paul Wolfowitz, announced February 6th as the Deputy Secretary of Defense-designate, and Ambassador Richard L. Armitage, announced last week as the Deputy Secretary of State-designate.

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

Month-long joint field operations concluded in Laos on February 5th and will resume March 9th. Joint investigations and recoveries began in Vietnam on February 8th, preceded by a remains repatriation ceremony, and technical talks were held in Hanoi the prior week. The Lao and Vietnamese unilateral investigation teams provided US officials with reports of their efforts that, hopefully, provide leads that will bring accountability. November joint investigations prepared the way for field operations in Cambodia that concluded earlier this month with a repatriation ceremony in Phnom Penh of remains associated with the Mayaguez incident. These remains, along with others recovered earlier from Laos and Vietnam, a total of 6 remains that may account for Americans, arrived at CILHI on February 9th.

A DPMO Family Update will be held this Saturday in San Francisco, CA. The next DPMO Family Update will be held March 17th in San Antonio, TX, preceded by a forum for veterans on March 16th. Family members within a 300 mile radius should have been notified; however, others who wish to attend should contact their Service Casualty Office to register. Those who wish to attend the Veterans Briefing can obtain information by calling 703-602-2102, Ext. 111.

Region II and III League meetings 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 others, 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