We the undersigned are the interim representatives of Bloc 8406, who represent tens of thousands of those who have signed the Manifesto on Freedom & Democracy for Vietnam, released on April 8, 2006, to openly confront the Communist dictatorship in a non-violent struggle for a democratic, free, and pluralistic Vietnam....We also know that you have met on August 10 a number of our compatriots in Washington, D.C. You indicated at this meeting that when you assume your position in Vietnam, you shall focus your attention on the issues of human rights, economic development, as well as education in Vietnam. We believe that these are the real issues currently facing our country. They are inter-related since there is a serious lack of respect for human rights and the Vietnamese people have lost all freedoms and are thereby unable to contribute fully to the economic development of the country. This, in turn, results in a stagnated and backward education system. Signed by four interim representatives of Bloc 8406 on August 16, 2007.    more »

Statements of U.S. Ambassador Michael Marine in leaving office in Vietnam have been reported quite differently by the Associated Press and the Communist-controlled media known as Vietnambridge. Disappointment and disapproval of the regime for jailing political activists by Ambassador Marine characterizes the AP report; chirping congratulations to Vietnam for achieving PTNR status with the US and the visits between presidents Triet and Bush are the subjects of Vietnamnet.   more »

Thank you Tieng Dan Weekly for the attached copy of the response from Nguyen Tam Chien of the VN Embassy to a letter from Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D - San Jose) regarding the recent demonstration and arrests in Saigon. The letter is particularly odious and deceptive, saying that the issue is not human rights but "land disputes" as "stated by sources unfriendly to Vietnam." The letter, dated August 1, 2007, was authorized by VN President Nguyen Minh Triet. Congresswoman Lofgren is fighting hard and well to insure the rights of small groups of immigrants and their children to the USA as well as speaking out for human rights in Vietnam. Her battle with showboating Republicans who are appealing to ethnic prejudice with "immigration backlash" as chair of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee is front-page news in the San Francisco Chronicle today. Also in Congress yesterday, Representative Tom Lantos (D - San Mateo), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has opened an inquiry into the conduct of Yahoo when it turned over information to Chinese officials about the pro-democracy journalist Shi Tao. A human rights group has recently published the search warrant presented by China to Yahoo to gain information and it is clear to Congressman Lantos that Yahoo should be investigated for misrepresenting their role in the jailing of Mr. Shi Tao. Jean Libby, editor, VietAm Review.   more »