News-Info-Alerts

Re: NLF Update Line

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: April 13, 2003

"Update Line March 7th, 2003
POWs IN IRAQ: The League is heartened with the rescue of PFC Lynch from Iraqi captivity, but deeply saddened at the loss of life and the capture of other brave Americans. Our understanding, thoughts and prayers are with their families. We applaud President Bush's reaction to the treatment of US POWs by Iraq. His actions reinforce our view that the Bush Administration will demand the prompt, safe return of our POWs and the repatriation of remains of those who have lost their lives in the war on terrorism now ongoing.

STILL MISSING: There are 1,887 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War, 1,442 in Vietnam, 381 in Laos, 56 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. The names of Americans recently accounted for have not yet been publicly released, but will be announced when received from the Department of Defense.

LEAGUE DELEGATION TO SOUTHEAST ASIA: League Chairman of the Board Jo Anne Shirley, former Reagan Administration Director for Asian Affairs, now League Adviser, Richard Childress and Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths traveled to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for talks with officials in each country to try to expedite accounting efforts. The delegation found that Cambodia continues to provide outstanding cooperation to Defense Intelligence Agency POW/MIA specialists and to our joint field recovery teams. The Lao Government is also working very effectively with US officials and showing increasing flexibility, a welcome development. Though Vietnam's support for joint field recoveries is appreciated, the League urged Vietnam to take the necessary unilateral actions outlined by President Bush in his certification to Congress. The delegation also visited the new U.S. base camp and several crash sites in southern Laos and the recovery site in Cambodia where a U.S. helicopter crashed with several Americans on board. In all instances, the League delegation was impressed with the quality of US personnel conducting field operations.

JOINT OPERATIONS: As noted above, field operations in Laos and Cambodia were ongoing during the League delegation, and the Cambodia recovery extended until well after the Vietnam field activities began on February 18th. Of significant interest in Vietnam was the first-time use of dogs trained to locate long-buried remains. Preliminary tests were positive, and this JTF initiative offers significant potential. After a quick turn-around, joint operations were resumed in Laos, again operating out of the base camp in southern Laos, but also focused on Phou Pha Thi in northeastern Laos, near the Vietnam border, also known as Lima Site 85. JTF-FA Commander BG Steve Redmann just completed technical talks in Vietnam, held to discuss upcoming field operations that start soon.

RUSSIA INITIATES DECLASSIFICATION: In December, League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths met in Moscow with senior officials of the US-Russia Commission on POW/MIA Affairs and former Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov. The focus was to gain greater access by US specialists to archival records and sources of information. Minister Primakov, now head of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated his belief that it was time for Vietnam War records to be declassified and made available for research. On January 27th, Russian news reported that the State Duma's Defense Committee, chaired by MG Bezberodov, the Commission's Vietnam War Working Group Chairman, had asked the Chief of the General Staff to declassify most documents dealing with the Vietnam War. In mid-February, further coverage reported preliminary screening of documents had succeeded in locating information on 56 possible Americans. The League welcomes and appreciates these positive developments and looks forward to full implementation.

NOTES: Start planning now to attend the League's 34th Annual Meeting, June 26-29th, at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, Arlington, VA. Registration and hotel reservation forms will be distributed to all League members, family and associate, and all POW/MIA family members are eligible to attend. 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"