News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: VN Names New Ambassador

Date: June 28, 2001

"Vietnam Names New Ambassador to U.S

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Vietnam has named a career diplomat with economic expertise as its new ambassador to the United States, state-controlled media reported Thursday.

Nguyen Tam Chien, 53, served as ambassador to Japan in 1992-95 before being promoted to vice foreign minister in 1997. One of five vice foreign ministers, Chien has been responsible for overseeing economic issues and Vietnam's participation in international organizations.

Chien's selection underlines the importance Vietnam is placing on economic ties with the United States. Congress is expected to soon approve a deal that grants normal trade status to Vietnam, effectively completing the normalization of relations between the two former foes.

Hanoi and Washington established diplomatic ties in 1995, 20 years after the end of the Vietnam War, and exchanged ambassadors in 1997.

Chien is to replace Vietnam's first ambassador to Washington, Le Van Bang. Vietnamese ambassadors are typically rotated after about three years in a post.

U.S. Ambassador Pete Peterson, a prisoner of war during in the Vietnam War, has submitted his resignation effective July 15."