WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives voted 410-1 on Thursday to link increases in non-humanitarian aid to Vietnam to progress on human rights.
But in a nod to U.S. business concerns, the measure would allow President Bush to waive the restrictions if he finds increased aid for Vietnam would promote U.S. interests.
The House approved the measure shortly before taking up a landmark agreement to establish normal trade relations with Vietnam. That pact is expected to clear the House by a wide margin despite the persecution of religious leaders and other human rights abuses in Vietnam.
Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican, said
approval of the Vietnam Human Rights Act would show Hanoi that the United
States remains concerned about human rights conditions in Vietnam despite
moving to normalize trade.
The measure also would assist efforts to overcome
Hanoi's jamming of Radio Free Asia broadcasts, Smith said.
09/06/2001 15:34
RTos
House OKs Pact to Normalize Trade with Vietnam
By Doug Palmer
The pact signed in July 2000 in Hanoi would remove one of last vestiges of a bitter war that ended 2-1/2 decades ago with the defeat of U.S. and South Vietnamese forces and the establishment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The House approved the bill on a voice vote. The measure now goes to the Senate, which is expected to approve it before adjourning by the end of October. The agreement was negotiated by the administration of former President Bill Clinton, but sent to Congress for approval by President Bush.
"This agreement is a sensible and necessary step," said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas, a California Republican. "Vietnam has emerged as one of Southeast Asia's more promising economies and it has the potential to be a strong trading partner for America."
But a number of lawmakers said the action was premature, accusing Hanoi of persecuting religious leaders and ethnic minorities and other human rights abuses.
"I'm concerned that we're losing our economic
leverage without gaining concrete, verifiable steps toward reform in exchange,"
said Rep. Loretta Sanchez, a California Democrat whose district is home
to a large Vietnamese community.
To address that issue, lawmakers also voted 410-1
to approve the Vietnam Human Rights Act which would link future increases
in non-humanitarian aid to progress on human rights.
That legislation would require Bush to determine whether the Vietnamese government has made "substantial progress" in a number of areas, including the release of political and religious prisoners.
TOO EARLY FOR 'BUSINESS AS USUAL'
Rep. Michael McNulty, a New York Democrat, objected to normalizing trade with Vietnam until the remains of all U.S. servicemen killed in the war have been repatriated.
"Can't we just wait until this process is completed," said McNulty, whose brother was killed in the war. "I do not oppose the eventual normalization of relations with Vietnam, but I do oppose declaring business as usual when the remains of American service personnel are still being recovered."
Vietnam is one of just a few countries that do not have normal trade relations with the United States. As a result, U.S. tariffs on products from the country average 40 percent -- more than 10 times the level for most other nations.
The trade pact commits Vietnam to an ongoing process of economic reform and market opening in exchange for the United States' renewing an extension of normal trade relations on an annual basis. It also brings a reconciliation process begun nearly 10 years ago between the two countries closer to completion.
Looking ahead, Rep. Sander Levin, a Michigan Democrat
who serves on the Ways and Means panel, said he would push for provisions
aimed at improving labor market conditions in any future textile and apparel
trade pact with Vietnam.
09/06/2001 17:40
RTos
