News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update Line

Date: June 12, 2001

"Update Line
Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded Thursday, June 6th. According to the Department of Defense, the number of Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War is now 1,973.

On June 5th, the League was informed that the remains of six Americans previously missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War have been identified and are being returned to their families. Both jointly recovered and turned over by remains traders to Vietnamese officials, the remains of these six Americans were repatriated between 1988 and 1993, one from North Vietnam and the other five from South Vietnam. Three were US Marines and three were US Air Force personnel.

On May 17th, the League was informed that the remains of a Navy Seaman, listed as KIA/BNR on June 16, 1968, were recently identified and returned to his family for burial. The remains were jointly recovered October 6, 1993. The number now missing and unaccounted for in Vietnam is 1,481, with 417 in Laos, 67 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. Over 90% of the 1,973 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War were lost in areas under Vietnam's wartime control. As is the case with all Americans accounted for since mid-April, the names will be recorded on this Update Line as quickly as the Department of Defense provides them.

At the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery, while honoring all who sacrificed for our nation, President George W. Bush made a specific pledge regarding POW/MIA accounting. During his remarks, he stated, "Öon Memorial Day, we must remember a special group of veterans, Americans still missing and unaccounted for from Vietnam, Korea, the Cold War and World War II. We honor them today. They deserve and will have our best efforts to achieve the fullest possible accounting and, alive or dead, to return them home to America." This welcome commitment, his first as President, followed many such statements made during the campaign and sends a strong signal here and abroad that his administration intends to pursue answers with seriousness and priority.

Earlier this month, President Bush issued a formal certification to Congress that Vietnam is "fully cooperating in good faith" to resolve the issue, using the precise language earlier certified by President Clinton. The League is disappointed that this requirement was not amended by Congress to allow the President to certify, but with a waiver and a full, objective explanation on the status of the issue. Unfortunately, the certification decision came too soon. The administration has very few political appointees confirmed, especially in the Defense Department. US Ambassador to Vietnam Pete Peterson's visit to Washington was likely persuasive to Members of Congress, as was the likely skewed statistical justification still following the Clinton administration's policies. The League is looking forward, not backward, and has no interest in trying to regain leverage squandered earlier. We will continue to focus on improving the accounting effort to increase answers for the families. In view of the President's commitment and that of the Vice President and officials at the highest level, we are not concerned that priority on the issue will decrease; in fact we anticipate the opposite.

The Bush Administration has not yet formally announced the new Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs; however, the Defense POW/MIA Office informed the League that Mr. Jerry Jennings has been nominated for this post and is expected to be in office before the League's 32nd Annual Meeting, June 21-23rd. When formally announced by the White House, the League will be very pleased. Mr. Jennings is highly qualified for this crucial position, and will be the first ever to hold the position who is fully capable, committed and has the background needed to accomplish the mission. The League looks forward to working closely with him as we seek to achieve shared goals.

Named but not yet confirmed by the Senate are the US Ambassadors to Laos, Mr. Doug Hartwick, and to Vietnam, Mr. Ray Burghardt; both are career Foreign Service officers. Also announced was Mr. Matt Dailey, incoming Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian & Pacific Affairs, replacing Mr. Skip Boyce, recently nominated to become the US Ambassador to Indonesia.

In mid-July, BG Harry Axson will turnover command of JTF-FA to Air Force BG Steven Redmann, the first time that the Air Force has commanded the organization. JTF-FA Deputy Commander, COL Michael Kampsen, USMC, is also due for reassignment; he will be replaced by Marine COL Neil Fox. Many other changes are also occurring JTF-FA.

Operational assessment talks were held in Hanoi May 23-24th to determine how and when field operations will resume in the aftermath of the tragic accident that killed 7 Americans and 9 Vietnamese involved in the accounting effort. An investigation into the accident is ongoing and until completed, Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Command, Admiral Dennis Blair has ordered that US personnel will not be flown in Russian-built MI-8 or MI-17 helicopters. Since Vietnam has never allowed any helicopters except their own to be used during field operations, the next joint activities will be limited to those accessible by road. Follow-on technical talks will be held in Hanoi June 14-15th, just prior to the annual meeting.

POW/MIA consultations were held in Vientiane, Laos, on May 3-4th. Led by JTF-FA Commander, BG Harry Axson, US officials included representatives from the Embassy in Vientiane, CILHI and DIA's Stony Beach team. Though also unable to use the Russian-built helicopters for field activities, the Lao Government has long authorized use of privately owned helicopters for selected POW/MIA missions. Joint field operations are scheduled to proceed in Laos in early June with a schedule of cases utilizing only privately-owned helicopters.

The League's 32nd Annual Meeting will be held June 21-23rd at Crystal City's DoubleTree Hotel, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Registration is now closed, and the DoubleTree Hotel has no more rooms available. The League is encouraged by the high level of interest, both in and out of government, and looks forward to a productive 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"