News-Info-Alerts

Re: NLF Update Line 15 APR 03

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: April 21, 2003

"Update Line
POWs IN IRAQ: The League is heartened with the rescue of our American POWs from Iraqi captivity, but deeply saddened at the loss of life and concerned over the four U.S. personnel still missing. Our understanding, thoughts and prayers are with their families. We are confident that President Bush will insist on accounting for every missing Americans and settle for nothing less. The League is also gratified to see our POW/MIA flag, long ago expanded beyond the Vietnam War to represent all Americans captured and missing while serving our country, is flying proudly in Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as well as across the U.S.

STILL MISSING: There are 1,885 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War, 1,440 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 DIA POW/MIA specialists and to our joint field 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 as needed. 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, we were impressed with the quality of US personnel conducting field operations. A full report on this mission will shortly be distributed.

JOINT OPERATIONS: Recent, month-long field operations in Laos focused on a joint mission at Phou Pha Thi in northeastern Laos, near the Vietnam border, also known as Lima Site 85. Reportedly, remains and artifacts were recovered, but information is not yet clear. A limited recovery in Cambodia has been completed earlier than expected and joint operations will resume in Vietnam on April 20th. Of significant interest in Vietnam was recent use in southern Vietnam of dogs trained to locate long-buried remains. Preliminary tests were positive, and this initiative offers significant potential.

34TH ANNUAL MEETING: The League's 34th Annual Meeting will be held June 26-29th at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, Arlington, VA. Registration and hotel reservation forms are now being distributed to all League members, family and associate. Both are also available to download from the League's website at www.pow-miafamilies.org , and all POW/MIA family members are eligible to attend.

POW/MIA decals for car windows are $20 per 100, and POW/MIA lapel pins are $3 each or 2/$5, by sending a check to the League office. For added information on any subject, please log onto the League's web site 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"