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that has developed since the end of the war throughout the United States and draws attention to their progress, but also contrasts that with the continuing human rights abuses and problems that continue in Vietnam, while acknowledging the service of our countrymen in that effort 25 years ago, and the sacrifice made of some 58,000 Americans as well as 300,000 wounded Americans, in addition to the 270,000 South Vietnamese military personnel who gave their lives in that battle as well.

So, I would submit my statement for the record and ask for this body to pass this on to the House Floor.

Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, the gentleman's statement and the Chairman's statement will be made a part of the record.

Seeing no other Members for discussion, the resolution is open for amendment. The Chair recognizes Mr. Rohrabacher.

Mr. ROHRABACHER. I have an amendment as a substitute.
Mr. BEREUTER. The Clerk will read the amendment.

[The amendment of Mr. Rohrabacher appears in the appendix.] CLERK. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Con. Res. 295, offered by Mr. Rohrabacher.

Amend the preamble to read

Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read, put in the record, and the gentleman is recognized to explain this amendment, which addresses a number of minor concerns that the Administration and various Members have raised, and I thank the gentleman for his cooperation and I recognize him.

Mr. ROHRABACHER. The purpose of the amendment is to perfect the amendment and as other Members have brought their concerns forward and they have been very justified, we have made them part of the bill.

Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Rohrabacher. Seeing no members for discussion, the question is on the amendment. All those in favor will say "aye".

[Ayes.]

Mr. BEREUTER. As many as are opposed will say “nay”.

[No response.]

The amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to. Are there further amendments?

[No response.]

If no amendments, then the question occurs on agreeing to the resolution, as amended. As many as are in favor will say "aye". [Ayes.]

Mr. BEREUTER. As many as are opposed will say “no”.

[No response.]

The ayes have it, and the resolution is agreed to. Without objection, the staff is authorized to make technical, grammatical, and conforming changes to the text just agreed to, and I will recommend that the resolution be marked up by the Full Committee tomorrow and, if possible, handled on the suspension calendar.

I thank the gentleman for his initiative, and we look forward to working together on other resolutions.

If there is no further business before the Subcommittee, we are adjourned.

[Whereupon, at 3:50 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]

APPENDIX

APRIL 12, 2000

IV

106TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION

H. CON. RES. 295

Relating to continuing human rights violations and political oppression in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 25 years after the fall of South Vietnam to Communist forces.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 29, 2000

Mr. ROHRABACHER (for himself, Mr. ROYCE, and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Relating to continuing human rights violations and political oppression in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 25 years after the fall of South Vietnam to Communist forces.

Whereas 25 years after the Vietnam War ended, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a one-party state ruled and controlled by the Vietnamese Communist Party;

Whereas the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam continues to violate the liberties and civil rights of its own citizens through arbitrary arrests, detentions without trial, and the censorship of peaceful expressions of political and religious beliefs;

Whereas the Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1999 notes that the Govern

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ment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam "continued to repress basic political and some religious freedoms and to commit numerous abuses";

Whereas the Socialist Republic of Vietnam still retains Article 4 in its Constitution that ensures the supremacy of the Vietnamese Communist Party as the only political party in the country while continuing to enforce an extralegal administrative decree to detain or place under house. arrest any dissidents or civilians for up to two years, without trial, under the pretext of "endangering national security";

Whereas the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is one of the most repressive and poorest countries in the world, with an average per capita income of $330, despite the Vietnamese Communist party's claims of political and economic reforms, or "Doi Moi", since 1986, and the subsequent lifting of the trade embargo and the provision of economic assistance and credits by the United States since 1995;

Whereas, according to the Department of State and inter

national human rights organizations, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam continues to restrict unregistered religious activities and persecutes its citizens on the basis of their religious affiliation through arbitrary arrests and detention, harassment, physical abuse, censorship, and the denial of the rights of free association and religious worship;

Whereas the Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999 on Vietnam estimates that "there are from 30 to 50 religious prisoners" but "the number is difficult to verify with any precision because of the secrecy surrounding the arrest, detention, and release process";

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Whereas the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

continues to prevent human rights organizations from unfettered and open investigations of allegations of statesponsored oppression of the right to worship by its citizens, and has prevented the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance, Abdelfattah Amor, from meeting with various religious leaders during his visit to Vietnam in October 1998;

Whereas the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam systematically violates the tenets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in contravention to its standing as a signatory to those agreements and as a member nation of the United Nations;

Whereas April 30, 2000, marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of Saigon to Communist forces of North Vietnam; and

Whereas it is in the interest of the United States to promote political, religious, and economic freedom throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it

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Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress

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(1) requests the President to restate and make clear to the leadership of the Government of the So

cialist Republic of Vietnam

(A) the firm commitment of the American people to political, religious, and economic free

•HCON 295 IH

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