News-Info-Alerts

Re: National League of Families Update Line

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: November 23, 2002

"Update Line
STILL MISSING: According to the Department of Defense, there are now 1,902 Americans missing from the Vietnam War, 1,445 in Vietnam, 391 in Laos, 58 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. The name of the most recent American accounted for has not yet been released, but the US Navy officer was listed as MIA in North Vietnam in March, 1967. His remains were jointly recovered in August, 1996, and identified on November 4th.

PRESIDENT RENEWS PLEDGE: On Veterans Day, at Arlington National Cemetery, President George W. Bush reaffirmed his commitment to accounting for America's POW/MIAs, stating, "America must, and will, keep its word to those men and women who have given us so much. Veterans have been promised good health care when they are sick and disabled; they must be treated with fairness and respect. And to families across this land with loved ones whose fate is still undetermined, America owes the fullest possible accounting of our prisoners of war and those missing in action." He received resounding applause for both commitments from the hundreds gathered in the amphitheater.

US DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE VISITS LAOS: On October 21-24th, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs Jerry Jennings met in Vientiane, Laos, with former Lao President Nouhak, Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat, Minister of Defense Phicit and other senior Lao officials to advocate greater accounting results. These high-level Lao officials reaffirmed their government's commitments on the issue. The former Lao President made clear his position that all Lao archives should be open and provided to the US, noting that the Lao have nothing to hide on POW/MIA. A new base camp in Salavan Province was constructed, opened and operational in time for the 76th joint field activities that will continue for about two more weeks.

US/RUSSIAN COOPERATION: MG Roland Lajoie, USA-Ret., US Chairman of the US-Russian Commission on POW/MIAs, has just concluded talks in Moscow with counterpart Russian officials, aimed at generating greater cooperation between the two sides. Greater emphasis needs to be focused on the work of this Commission than has previously been evident, and it is the League's hope that the Bush Administration will raise reinforce the work of the commission to their political counterparts in Moscow.

US/CAMBODIA ACTIVITIES: A two-week period of joint field activities was recently completed in Cambodia. Large-scale operations will be conducted from January 16 - February 18th. Cambodian officials are conducting very helpful interviews of sources with useful information to augment efforts of the DIA Stony Beach specialist, now permanently assigned in Phnom Penh. On December 5th, JTF-FA Commander BG Steve Redmann will conduct technical talks and, the next day, host a POW/MIA Seminar for province-level Cambodian officials to increase their understanding about US efforts and objectives.

US/VIETNAM EFFORTS: BG Redmann also will lead technical talks in Vietnam on December 10th, and the 72nd joint field operations in Vietnam will commence February 18th, continuing for about 30 days. In the interim, Vietnamese specialists are reportedly conducting unilateral investigations.

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.

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"