News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update Line

Date: July 03, 2001

"Update Line

Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded Monday, July 2nd. According to the Department of Defense, the number of Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War is 1,973.

On June 20th, the League was informed that six Americans were recently accounted for. David W. Morrill and Maxim C. Parker, both USMC, were jointly recovered in South Vietnam June 9, 1993. The remains of Victor J. Apodaca, Jr., USAF, were repatriated April 27, 1989. The joint recovery of the remains of Harry A. Amesbury, Jr., USAF, occurred November 14, 1991. The remains of Harley B. Pyles, USAF, and Winfield Wade Sisson, USMC, were jointly recovered in South Vietnam on April 8, 1993. The accounting for these six US personnel brings the number now missing and unaccounted for in Vietnam to 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.

At the League's 32nd Annual Meeting June 21-23rd, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz was the principal administration representative. Secretary Wolfowitz's strongly supportive remarks at the annual dinner cited President Bush's many commitments and pledged to strengthen POW/MIA efforts through policy-level negotiations and improvements in all organizations that work the issue. His remarks set the stage for a very positive meeting. The well-attended sessions included briefings from all agencies most directly involved and were considered by most in attendance to be the most informative briefings yet given. Many families present received positive news concerning their individual cases, some learning that DNA identification of loved ones had been concluded. All in all, the 32nd Annual meeting was deemed a real success, and a positive year for the issue is anticipated with Bush Administration officials increasingly in place.

The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on June 26th regarding the bilateral US-Vietnam trade agreement that is expected to sail through the Senate with little opposition. Senate passage of normal trade relations status will likely follow soon thereafter.

Nevertheless, the League is looking forward, not backward, and has no interest in trying to restore leverage squandered during the Clinton Administration. The League will continue to focus on improving the accounting effort to increase answers for the families.

The Bush Administration has not yet formally announced the new Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs; however, the League was informed that Mr. Jerry Jennings will shortly be named. He is highly qualified and in our view will be the first person to hold the position who has the necessary background and experience. The League looks forward to working closely with Mr. Jennings and other Bush Administration officials as we seek to achieve shared goals.

Named but not yet confirmed by the Senate are US Ambassadors-designate to Laos, Mr. Doug Hartwick, and Vietnam, Mr. Ray Burghardt, both career Foreign Service Officers. Also announced was Mr. Matt Dailey, incoming Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian & Pacific Affairs.

In mid-July, Air Force BG Steven Redmann will assume command of JTF-FA, replacing BG Harry Axson, the first time that the Air Force has commanded the organization. Technical talks were held in Hanoi June 14-15th in preparation for joint field activities that begin in early July. Joint excavations and investigations in Laos are now ongoing, and initial reports are positive concerning results.

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"