News-Info-Alerts

Re: NLF Update Line

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: June 18, 2002

"Update Line
STILL MISSING: According to the Department of Defense, there are now 1,912 Americans missing from the Vietnam War, 1,453 in Vietnam, 393 in Laos, 58 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. At the end of May, the remains of two American civilians, previously missing in Laos, were identified, but their names have not been publicly released, nor have the names of several Americans identified over the last six weeks.

LAOS OPERATIONS: The 73rd joint field operations in Laos have concluded. A team of 50 US specialists focused on joint investigations and recoveries over a 30-day period.

REMAINS RETURNED: A repatriation ceremony was held on Memorial Day at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to honor remains believed to be those of four Americans previously missing in Vietnam and Laos.

REFUGEES DEBRIEFED: In Cambodia, Stony Beach Team members completed screening over 900 Montagnard refugees from Vietnam and obtained what may be useful POW/MIA-related information.

PRC AGREEMENT REACHED: US specialists met recently with PRC officials in Beijing to discuss future efforts to recover remains of Americans unaccounted for from the Cold War and World War II. Based on interventions by the State Department and the US Ambassador, preliminary agreement was reached to move forward.

DASD SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES TALKS WITH DPRK: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs Jerry Jennings recently concluded successful talks with North Korean officials in Bangkok, and agreement was reached for further joint recoveries later this year. Just prior to these talks, Jennings had met with Israeli, Saudi and Kuwaiti officials to generate closer cooperation, a move that the League supports.

ANNUAL MEETING & OTHER NOTES: The League's 33rd Annual Meeting is June 19-22nd at the Crystal City DoubleTree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Registration is closed; however, media are invited to contact the League's national office for details.

NOTES: POW/MIA car window decals are $20 per 100 and lapel pins are $3 each or 2/$5, by sending a check to the League office. For added information on any subject, please contact the League's web site at www.pow-miafamilies.org or call the national office at 703-465-7432. Again, thank you for calling.


The National League of Families of
American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia
1005 North Glebe Road
Suite 170
Arlington, Virginia 22201
(TEL) 703-465-7432
Federal Tax ID #23-7071242"