I received this yesterday from Congressman Ed Royce's office:
ROYCE WELCOMES U.S. AMBASSADOR TO VIETNAM'S DIALOGUE WITH VIETNAMESE-AMERICAN COMMUNITY
Washington, Oct 14 - Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce welcomed newly installed U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak to Orange County, where the two participated in a town hall meeting with the vibrant Vietnamese American community.
Rep. Ed Royce, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the Subcommittee on Asia, made the following remarks:
It is time for Vietnam to emerge from the dark ages and embrace freedom, the rule of law and universal human rights.
Ambassador, your predecessor left Vietnam listing the lack of improvement on human rights as his 'biggest disappointment.' I hope that you will be able to leave Hanoi with it as your biggest accomplishment. No doubt, you have a difficult road ahead of you. But one thing is for sure: the status quo is unacceptable.
U.S.-backed Radio Free Asia is a "surrogate" broadcasting service, acting as a free press for Vietnam would if the Communist government in Hanoi would allow one to flourish. Vietnam has a history of heavily jamming RFA - jamming it since the first day of its broadcasts. I wonder what news the communist regime is afraid of? We are not getting the full potential out of these broadcasts. Ambassador, objections to Vietnamese jamming of these vital broadcasts must be raised to the highest levels. It must stop.
Ambassador, we have got to make sure that we are bringing as much pressure to bear in our annual human rights dialogue. I'd also ask the Vietnamese American community be included in pre-dialogue discussions, as you will find that they have unique insights into the country. I hope this is your first of many visits with my Vietnamese-American constituents.
who cares?
Posted by: Boring | October 15, 2007 at 06:02 PM
You did, apparently enough to leave a comment.
Posted by: Cow | October 15, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Pointless anti-Viet Nam speechifying meant for local consumption is rather dreary.
I guess "vibrant" is a diplomatic description of the Nguyen vs. Nguyen melt-down.
Posted by: redperegrine | October 15, 2007 at 06:08 PM
Does anyone know where Van, Janet, and Trung were during this?
Posted by: curious george | October 15, 2007 at 07:49 PM
Van was there as was Trung. Janet was not there. What is missing from this post is the fact that the event was hosted by Loretta Sanchez.
Posted by: | October 15, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Loretta hosted? That's not surprising after her orchestrated Viet Nam encounter last winter - right after Nguyens went 1/2 in the 1st District Supervisor's race.
Posted by: redperegrine | October 15, 2007 at 09:06 PM
redperegrine:
It might be important to point out that the "orchestrated" event you are referring to happened months before the supervisors race.
Posted by: aria ghafari | October 16, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Did someone forget to let Tomahawk know that Mr. Royce is now part of the MINORITY on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Ed's opinions won't matter much for the foreseeable future.
This is what happens when you're not a bridge-builder while in the majority.
Posted by: Publius | October 17, 2007 at 12:35 AM
Wrong, aria:
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Thursday, April 5, 2007
O.C. lawmaker: Hanoi 'goons' accosted group
Rep. Loretta Sanchez says she saw women who were trying to meet with her stopped by Vietnamese soldiers.
By DENA BUNIS
The Orange County Register
Rep. Loretta Sanchez said Thursday that she witnessed firsthand what happens to dissidents in Vietnam when a group of women who were trying to meet with her at the American ambassador's residence in Hanoi were roughed up by Vietnamese soldiers.
"We still don't know where some of them are, if they got home,'' Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, said in an interview from her hotel room. "There were about 15 goons roughing them up."
Sanchez said Ambassador Michael Marine, who had invited the women to tea at his home, tried to intercede but finally advised the women to go home because he feared for their safety.
Sanchez, who has been outspoken about human rights in Vietnam, said she believes this will be the last time the Vietnamese government will let her into the country.
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Note the date of the article. The 1st District Supervisorial election was in early February. Post hoc ergo propter hoc? I wonder.
Posted by: redperegrine | October 17, 2007 at 07:09 AM
redperegrine:
I'm sorry. With I thought you were referring to the event about a year and a half ago when her visa was designed. Which ironically makes my points. Loretta has taken issue with the Vietnamese so many times, I wasn't sure which one you were referring to. This isn't a new thing she just recently picked up because of an election next to her district.
And really? You think that last event yo were really referring to was "orchestrated".
Posted by: aria ghafari | October 18, 2007 at 10:51 PM
Yeah, maybe it wasn't orchestrated. Only exploited.
Posted by: redperegrine | October 19, 2007 at 08:10 AM