June 1998
Summary of news for the entire month.
For recent and daily news, please go to: InterNetwork
00 JUN 98: The 'official' unaccounted for number of SEA Americans Prisoner or Missing is 2,089.
01 JUN 98: The DOD announced that an identification of SEA remains has been made. Harold J. Hellbach, USMC was lost on May 19, 1967 and not until 1997 was his crash site excavated and effects, artifacts and his remains located.
06 JUN 98: An international meeting was held in Paris, France. The meeting was attended by lawyers for "repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners in South Korea". Among the many statements delivered at the meeting was one that stated that South Korea must do away with its 'anti-reunification' laws and repatriate three long-term North Korean POWs and that pressure must be placed on the UN, South Korea and US authorities. Not surprisingly absent was the mention of South Korean and AMERICAN POWS unrepatriated from North Korea. However, an appeal to governments, involvement of human rights groups, political parties and international groups, as well as a fact-finding mission to South Korea in support of North Korean POWs were put on the docket.
Not surprisingly, no mention of an appeal, involvement of human rights groups, political parties and international groups or a fact-finding mission TO North Korea was evident. For the record, we have the statements of Yang Sun-yong, a POW of North Korea for 45 years who escaped some months ago. According to this gentleman, he has personal knowledge of several dozen POWs who remain in captivity, and, Defense Ministry records confirm the names he has provided as legitimate South Korean MIAs. By combining these names with previously known unrepatriated men, there are in excess of 80 known South Korean POWs in North Korea. Yang Sun-yong stated that at one point nearly 600 unrepatriated POWs worked in collectives and coal mines, many succumbing due to the rigors of captivity and harsh conditions. North Korea steadfastly denies any POWs, MIAs or missing persons (the recent situation with Japan should be remembered here) reside within their barricaded borders. Perhaps they believe if they say it enough, people might believe them. Their continued denials sound a bit Orwellian - "Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past."
07 JUN 98: CNN aired a highly questionable and contentious report on the use of lethal gas by US forces against US deserters during the Vietnam War. The issue of deserters is complex and volatile, yet we have to remember that there are many families of unaccounted-for men who may be categorized as deserters, when in fact they were POW or MIA. Let us not forget the plight of the family who lived with the stigmata of a desertion status for their son only to find they were right in their conviction all the time... their son did not desert, he had been murdered.
12 JUN 98: The Pentagon announced that although there was no 100% chance of identification, they were confident that the remains removed May 14th from the Tomb of the Unknowns could be identified. Stating that the DNA extracted was of good quality, it will be compared to eight of nine families who have yet to find resolution. The ninth family was excluded from the mtDNA test as there are no matrilineal members to provide the required DNA sample.
15 JUN 98: Once an unforgettable image seared into our memories, the former US Embassy in the former Saigon has been razed. The battered building, scene of the exodus of humanity fleeing the brutal attack by North Vietnam, withstood the onslaught but not the wrecker's ball. Nationalized after the fall of Saigon in 1975, it briefly housed the state run petro offices and then remained vacant. The property was returned to the US during the fast-track process to get Vietnam up to speed for normalization, and upon the site will be built the new US Embassy.
June 17-20 - National League of Families 29th Annual Meeting - National Alliance of Families Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
17 JUN 98: While the US Presidential delegation to China is wined and dined during the summit, official announcements state that the question of US servicemen unaccounted-for from the Korean War will be raised. State officials claim discussions "with great regularity" in order to gain access to archives, museums, and sites. State is quoted, "At this point I can't say we're satisfied with Chinese cooperation in this area." It is a fact that POW-MIA families aren't satisfied either, considering they have waited an average of 45 years for answers. The comments go on to mention that 'there's probably a gold mine of information to be had.' And if that's the case, we advise the USG to start digging in that mine pronto. The Washington Post is also stating that, " It has been well documented that China, with Russian help, ran most of the POW camps in North Korea. Less well understood has been the extent of POW camps in China and what became of American and other prisoners held there." Among key areas of interest, are the People's Liberation Army records repositories and official archives. We recommend that camps, hospitals and other facilities where live POWs may be should be the main focus. China has consistently stated that all unaccounted-for questions were resolved at the end of the Korean War.
18 JUN 98: The Defense POW Missing Personnel Office released the second issue of its Personnel Recovery Update. Interesting reading.
19 JUN 98: In the ongoing Jackson-Vanik waiver debate, two separate committees took testimony and prepared statements for the record. The House Ways and Means Subcommittee and the House International Relations Committee heard the testimony of many including: Bill Bell, Ann Mills Griffiths, Ambassador Peterson, Congressman Gilman, Charles Kartman, and numerous other US, Vietnamese, Montagnard, and officials of the USG. As testimony becomes available we will post it to our Archives.
20 JUN 98: Although it's been many months since since the name LIPPO has been heard, the issue of cash for influence has reared its head again. Johnny Chung stated that he was allowed to donate six-figure sums to the DNC even though they had expressed a 'concern' that the money was an illegal campaign contribution. Chung's admission comes as part of a plea-bargain arrangement with the Just-Us Department.
21 JUN 98: Jackson-Vanik Waiver - Some months ago, Clinton granted the Jackson-Vanik waiver in effect telling Vietnam to do whatever they wish, there would be no ramifications. In support of that action John Kerry, former boss to Francis Zwenig (now a power player on the US-Vietnam Trade Council who campaigned for the waiver), has told Congress that any action to overturn the waiver "will reduce our influence and threaten future progress" in the POW-MIA accounting process. Sounds curiously like the language Kerry used to convince the country that lifting the embargo and normalizing would resolve the issue... which it didn't. Long time MOCs Dana Rohrabacher and Chris Smith, both of whom have a very long issue history, have flatly stated that the waiver should be reversed. And that the Communist country has failed to meet its responsibilities with respect to the POW-MIA issue, human rights abuses and free emigration. All of which should have improved had Jackson-Vanik been left in place In support of his stance, Rohrabacher stated that Vietnam was keeping POW records from US inspection teams... although the President certifies to the contrary, Vietnam is NOT being forthright and cooperative.
In support of the waiver, Kerry stated, those who "want to turn the clock back ... to a policy of denial in place for 20 years that was a failure."
The only failure from our vantage point is that of the US and Vietnam honestly, truthfully and aggressively accounting for the men we left behind. 21 J
N 98: Public Law 105-85, Section 1082, mandates that the POW/MIA Flag will be flown on six specific Federal holidays at different locations. One of those locations is ALL Federal Post Office facilities. If your Post Office failed to comply with this Public Law, as outlined in Postal Bulletin 21967 -- which outlined the requirement for flying the POW/MIA Flag and how to obtain the flag through federal procurement procedures -- issued March 12, 1998, obtain Postal Form PS 4314-C. This is the standard complaint form. We suggest you obtain many of the PS 4314-C's and bring them to your Post or Chapter and have others complete them. If they won't do it because it is the right thing to do, then they will do it because it is the Law. We appreciate everyone's efforts in advocating for this public awareness.
24 JUN 98: The House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee has voted to support the Whitewash House's efforts to shore up and open up trade with Vietnam. Although Vietnam, along with North Korea, Laos, and three other nations, is denied Most Favored Nation status, it appears the Jackson-Vanik waiver is setting the Communist country up for special treatment. Although Vietnam is ineligible for MFN status because a bilateral treaty has yet to be hammered out, the waivers granted in March and June will allow them to amass investment guarantees and government credits. MOC Dana Rohrabacher has steadfastly argued against the waiver and has proposed legislation that would allow Congress to reject the waiver. In a voice vote, the panel reported the measure 'adversely' to the full committee. That particular motion tells us that Congress is opposed to the measure and it will be an uphill fight to get it passed.
25 JUN 98: The infamous US-Vietnam Trade Council began issuing News Update with respect to Jackson-Vanik. The following is verbatim:
"JACKSON-VANIK UPDATE On June 25, 1998, the House Ways & Means Committee voted in support of the Jackson-Vanik renewal for Vietnam. The Committee acted by voice vote to reject H.J. Res. 120 -- a bill sponsored by Representatives Rohrabacher (R-CA), Gilman (R-NY), Smith (R-NJ) and Royce (R-CA) to oppose the Jackson-Vanik Amendment waiver for Vietnam. The floor vote in the House is expected during the third or fourth week of July.
A similar motion to reject Jackson-Vanik for Vietnam is being presented to the Senate Finance Committee. S.J.Res. 47, a resolution sponsored by Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) and Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) was introduced on June 4, 1998. A committee vote is expected soon after the Senate reconvenes after the July 4th recess."
26 JUN 98: S.J.RES. 47, the Senate measure introduced by Bob Smith and Jesse Helms, will be under discussion during Hearings scheduled for July 7th in Washington, DC. The Subcommittee on International Trade members are: Grassley (IA) Moynihan (NY) Roth (DE) Baucus (MT) Chafee (RI) Rockefeller (WV) Hatch (UT) Breaux (LA) D'Amato (NY) Conrad (ND) Murkowski (AK) Graham (FL) Gramm (TX) Moseley-Bra (IL) Lott (MS) Kerrey (NE) Mack (FL)
29 JUN 98: The DOD has announced that an official statement on identification of the Unknown will be presented upon completion of family contact.
30 JUN 98: The remains of two unaccounted-for men, lost in SEA, have been identified. They are identified as U.S. Marine Corps Capt. John B. Sherman of Darien, Conn., and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert F. Preiss Jr., of Cornwall, N.Y.
30 JUN 98: KNOWN - 1st LT Michael J. Blassie was officially identified as the Vietnam Unknown. After 26 years of uncertainty, years of rumors and possibilities, then months of official red-tape, the Tomb was finally opened and the Vietnam remains exhumed for mtDNA testing. Original reports on the identity show that the remains were associated at the time of recovery with Blassie. Yet, by 1984, desperate for a Vietnam Unknown, the remains became unidentifiable according to CIL-HI and DOD and were entombed with full honors. Only after extreme pressure and publicity was the Tomb opened and the Unknown ultimately identified. Another family has an answer, and that's what it is all about... answers.
REMINDER - July 25, 1998 League Update - Detroit, MI
REMINDER - July TBD, 1998 DPMO Family Briefing - Detroit, MI
REMINDER - September 18 - National POW/MIA Recognition Day
POW-MIA Issue Update July 1998