News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Peterson & Politics

Date: July 16, 2001

"Ex-Ambassador Mulls Fla. Gov. Race

By TINI TRAN, Associated Press Writer

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - After serving for four years as America's first postwar ambassador to Vietnam, Douglas ``Pete'' Peterson is ready to focus on a different mission: the Florida race for governor.

``My focus now will be virtually 100 percent on that decision'' of whether to run for governor, he said as he prepared to depart from Hanoi's airport on Sunday.

Peterson, 66, is being courted by Florida Democratic leaders who believe he can win the 2002 race against Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, brother of President Bush (news - web sites).

Peterson, a three-time former congressman, said he is considering running but will weigh his chances more closely.

A former U.S. Air Force pilot, Peterson was held prisoner for 61/2 years during the Vietnam War. He was appointed ambassador in 1997 by then President Bill Clinton.

Diplomatic ties were established between Vietnam and the United States in 1995, two decades after the war's end. Peterson guided a gradually warming detente with Hanoi that culminated in the signing of a historic trade pact last year.

The deal, negotiated for more than four years, is expected to greatly increase two-way trade. Currently being debated in Congress, the trade agreement represents the final step in the normalization of ties between the two former foes.

Relations between the two countries are now ``strong, resilient,'' Peterson said, the result of hard-earned reconciliation.

``I'm proud of that. I had some contribution in making a difference. The world and the U.S. look at Vietnam now from a positive viewpoint. And the Vietnamese people realize that Vietnam and the U.S. are now friends, not enemies as we were,'' he said."