OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Extending Permanent Normal Trade Relations to Vietnam

Date: Nov. 13, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Trade


EXTENDING PERMANENT NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS TO VIETNAM -- (House of Representatives - November 13, 2006)

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Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I have serious concerns about establishing Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Vietnam without mandating essential human rights protections.

In August, the Government of Vietnam arrested and held a U.S. Citizen, Cong Thanh Do, on false charges. Only with the efforts of many U.S. officials was Mr. Do released.

The Government of Vietnam arrested and imprisoned Mr. Do, a U.S. citizen, on false charges even when it was trying to convince the U.S. Congress to grant permanent normal trade relations.

What practices will the Government of Vietnam engage in when they are not trying to convince the U.S. Congress to pass PNTR?

I believe that had the Majority allowed us ample time for consideration and debate on PNTR, we may have been able to include critical human rights protections.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill until sufficient time is granted to include necessary human rights protections.

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