Approximately 9.000 Vietnamese detainees entered the United States through the detainees resettlement program In 1990. An estimated 20.000 will come to the United States through that program this year. While I am grateful that the Vietnamese Government appears to be cooperating with this emigration prodram. it saddens me to realize that each detainee being released spent an average of 61/ years In a detention camp before being freed. I have also received reports that the Vietnamese Government has rearrested some of the detainees who have already been given permission to emigrate under the detainees resettlement program. According to these reports. many of these arrests have occurred since this spring. when the Government of Vietnam began a new crackdown on political opponents. In response to these reports. and because more than 100.000 detainees still remain In Vietnam. I am introducing today a concurrent resolution calling upon the Government of Vietnam to: First. continue providing the names of people In detention or in prison because of their opposition to the Government. second. release all reeducation camp detainees and all other prisoners of conscience. third. promptly grant all Vietnamese who qualify for resettlement In the United States permission to Imigrate. and fourth. end Immediately all arrests or rearrests of detainees or former detainees. It Is my hope that the Vietnamese Government will continue to cooperate with the United States regarding the emigration of these detainees. We must see a good faith effort and evidence that the Government of Vietnam is committed to political change. however. for United States relations with Vietnam to Improve. I urge my colleagues to join In cosponsoring this resolution to further signal to the Vietnamese Government that this Issue Is still important to the American people and Is key to Vietnam becoming an accepted member of the International community.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration