Re: NLF Update Line

Date: January 19, 2004

"Update Line January 16
POW/MIAs - VIETNAM WAR: According to the Department of Defense, there are now 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. In addition, 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 announced today. 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 RELATIONSHIP GROWING: Vietnam's Minister of Defense General Pham Van Tra, visited Washington in mid-November for talks with the US Secretaries of State and Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy National Security Adviser, and many other US officials, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for POW/MIA Affairs Jerry Jennings. The Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) hosted the SRV delegation for an official briefing and short presentations by The American Legion's National Commander and other veteran leaders from VFW and AMVETS.

During his visit, the Minister met privately with DASD Jennings and League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths. POW/MIA accounting efforts, especially President Bush's criteria urging unilateral Vietnamese actions and improved archival research, were high on the discussion list, as was use of a US Navy vessel for POW/MIA accounting efforts. The Minister pledged full support for increased cooperation. Very importantly, he stated support for use of a US Navy salvage ship in accounting efforts, indicating that bilateral agreement should be reached between the US Secretary of State and the SRV Foreign Minister and that the Ministry of Defense would support it. The League has long advocated use of a US Navy vessel to map and excavate aircraft crash sites, especially along the coast of northern Vietnam. This positive development must be followed up quickly; the League will work to achieve that objective.

As a follow-up to Vietnamese Defense Minister Tra's visit, a US Navy warship visited Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, for an official port call. This further expands the military-to-military ties and is a useful development on the heels of an early October visit by Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien who met in DC with Secretary of State Colin Powell. In HI, he met with Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Tom Fargo, DASD Jennings, BG (P) Que Winfield, USA, Commander of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and the League's Executive Director.

While meeting with JPAC and the League, the Foreign Minister pledged full cooperation on the Jennings-proposed archival research initiative, suggested expediting interviews to obtain intelligence information from sources due to their advancing age, and offered support for resolving cases along Vietnam's coastline. Vietnam's Ambassador to the US, accompanying the Foreign Minister, raised potential use of a US vessel for this purpose. If implemented, these pledges offer great potential.

OPERATIONAL MATTERS: Officials from JPAC, DPMO and DIA/Stony Beach met January 13th in Hanoi for talks aimed at further improvements in the accounting process. BG Winfield, JPAC Commander, also planned to raise the need for agreement to use a US Navy salvage ship in underwater survey and recovery efforts. This long-standing League objective was the subject of mid-November discussions with Vietnam's Defense Minister who was amendable to looking for agreement to proceed. US Ambassador to Vietnam Ray Burghardt participated in the session, a demonstration of support and commitment that the League recognizes and appreciates.

JPAC investigation and recovery operations began January 15th in Laos and Cambodia to account for Americans missing from the Vietnam War. Recovery teams will also be working in Palau to recover the remains of US personnel killed in World War II. The operations are due to conclude in approximately 30 days.

LEAGUE MEETINGS SCHEDULED: A Region VI Meeting (TX, LA, AR, OK, NM, CO) is scheduled for February 7th at Brooks City-Base, San Antonio, TX. Registration forms and a draft agenda were distributed to all League members - family and associate - and veteran leaders in the region inviting them to hear briefings from US Government and League officials about efforts to account for Americans still missing from the Vietnam War. Arrangements have been made for accommodations at a nearby Comfort Inn for only $47.50 per night, per room, by calling 210-333-9430; ask for Group POW.

A Region IV Meeting (OH, IN, MI, WI, MN) is now scheduled for April 3rd at the Defense Supply Center, Columbus, OH. Additional information will be distributed soon. This is a date change made to accommodate a DPMO Family Update that was in conflict.

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

35th ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED: 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"