Re: NLF Update Line

Date: February 16, 2004

"Update Line
POW/MIAs - VIETNAM WAR: According to the Department of Defense, there are still 1,870 Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, 1,425 in Vietnam, 382 in Laos, 55 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. Remains of Captain Clinton A. Musil, Sr., USA, listed as KIA/BNR in Laos on May 31, 1971, were recovered in Laos on February 14, 1995 and identified in May of 2003, but only recently announced by DPMO. Also, Major Randolph A. Perry, Jr., missing in North Vietnam since December 20, 1972, is now accounted for. His remains were recovered April 10, 1986, identified September 10, of last year and recently announced. Over 90% of all Americans missing from the Vietnam War were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Hanoi's wartime control.

US-SRV MIL-TO-MIL RELATIONSHIP GROWING: As an appropriate follow-up to the visit to Washington by Vietnam's Minister of Defense, ADM Tom Fargo, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, visited Vietnam February 8-11th for talks there. In addition to broader topics, ADM Fargo intended to raise the use of a U.S. Navy recovery vessel for conducting underwater survey and recovery operations along the coastline of Vietnam. Raised with senior Vietnamese since 1994 by the League, the subject has recently been raised by senior U.S. officials, including Vietnam's Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs. It is the League's hope that our State Department and Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will finalize agreement so that these operations can commence without inordinate delay, but certainly before the end of this year
.

POW/MIA TALKS HELD: Officials from JPAC, DPMO and DIA/Stony Beach met January 13th in Hanoi for talks. BG Winfield, JPAC Commander, who led the talks raised the US government's hope for agreement to use a US Navy recovery ship, as noted above, and covered many other operational aspects. US Ambassador to Vietnam Ray Burghardt participated in the talks, again demonstrating support and commitment that the League recognizes and appreciates.

JOINT FIELD OPERATIONS: JPAC investigation and recovery operations to account for Americans missing from the Vietnam War are nearing conclusion in Laos and Cambodia, and prepared to begin next week in Vietnam for about one month. In Cambodia, two recovery teams are working to excavate sites in Mondolkiri and Kracheh Provinces. Ambassador Charlie Ray recently accompanied Cambodian officials and Commander, JPAC, to review the progress. In Laos, recovery teams are focused on Salavan Province, with the Investigation Team operating in Xekong. The JPAC operations in Vietnam will include seven recoveries, plus several investigations, augmented by DIA's Stony Beach collectors. Recovery teams are also still working in Palau to recover the remains of US personnel killed in World War II. As in Laos and Cambodia, these operations are due to conclude very soon, but 30-day recovery operations will commence in Burma on February 25th, and the PRC on April 5th, including on Cold War cases. The worldwide focus of operations is intense and varied.

US-DPRK TALKS HELD IN BANGKOK: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs Jerry Jennings led talks in Bangkok with North Korean officials to work out important new arrangements on POW/MIA accounting operations. For the first time, DPRK officials agreed to discuss establishing a specific point of contact on the live sighting reports. Importantly, they agreed to overland transport of supplies and equipment for the three joint field operations to be conducted in 2004 and to holding repatriation ceremonies at Panmunjom, not held at the DMZ since 1999. These talks were encouraging, but not too surprising. At present, the DPRK is trying to appear cooperative, but implementation is needed to judge the level of real cooperation, as with Hanoi.

LEAGUE MEETINGS SCHEDULED: A Region IV Meeting (OH, IN, MI, WI, MN) is scheduled for April 3rd at the Defense Dept. Supply Center, Columbus, OH. Registration forms and information are available from the League office. As was the case last weekend in San Antonio, US officials with responsibility for POW/MIA accounting efforts worldwide will participate, as will the League's executive director, and be open to questions from family members, veterans and other concerned Americans who attend.

A Region III Meeting (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) is also now scheduled for May 1st at the Naval Education Facility, Newport, RI. Additional information will soon be available.

The League's 35th Annual Meeting will be held June 24-26th in Washington, DC, again at the Hilton Hotel in Crystal City. Start planning now to attend this year's important meeting. Registration and hotel reservation forms will be available soon, as will additional information.

POW/MIA decals for 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, 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"