News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: New US Ambassador in Vietnam

Date: December 27, 2001

"New U.S. ambassador takes up post in Vietnam

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - The new U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, Raymond F. Burghardt, arrived in Hanoi on Saturday to begin a term that will focus on putting a new trade agreement into action.

He replaces Douglas "Pete" Peterson, who had been considering a run for the Florida's 2002 governor's race before dropping out in September.

Arriving at Noi Bai International Airport with his wife, Burghardt said he would work to ensure both nations benefit from the landmark trade pact, which went into effect on Dec. 10.

"I'm looking forward to also making my own contribution to improving the relations between our two great countries," he said.

Burghardt, 56, a veteran diplomat, most recently served as the head of the American Institute in Taiwan, an embassy in all but name, for two years.

His predecessor in Hanoi, Peterson, is a former prisoner of war who served as America's first postwar ambassador to Vietnam from 1997-2001. Peterson won high praise for guiding reconciliation efforts that culminated in the trade agreement and a historic visit by then-President Clinton last year.

In September, he dropped out of the running to challenge Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in the 2002 election. He said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks affected him deeply and he was looking for other ways to serve the country.

Burghardt's tenure is expected to primarily focus on overseeing implementation of the trade pact, which was ratified by the U.S. Congress in October and Vietnam's National Assembly last month.

Under the deal, Vietnamese goods and services will gain access to U.S. markets with the same low tariffs enjoyed by most nations. In return, Vietnam must open its state-controlled markets to foreign competition and international standards. "