Michael Michalak, who was nominated by President Bush on May 24 to replace Michael Marine as Ambassador to Vietnam, has testified to two key U.S. senators, Barbara Boxer (D- California) and James Webb (R – Virginia) that he will seek improved human relations performance by the current VN government after his expected confirmation by the Senate. In response to questions by Senator Boxer on the nature of the crackdown on human rights in Vietnam, Mr. Michalak suggested the U.S. State Dept. could implement current human rights dialogue and a “public diplomacy program to train investigative journalists.” The American Embassy in Hanoi has been following the Viet Weekly’s attacks and lies too. They provided me with an actual transcript of the press conference on April 6, 2007, which proves the pro-communist proclivity and the complete absence of education about the U.S. Constitution, rights and responsibilities of the press, by the Viet Weekly. Jean Libby, editor, VietAm Review   more »

Bloc 8406 are a group of freedom-seekers in Vietnam who have advocated many meaningful changes in the Communist regime, such as national referendum. They are harassed and subject to arrest themselves, yet speak out to the world in asking support for democracy in Vietnam. The Letter of protest No. 16 protests the Vietnamese Communist government's suppression of petitioning victims of injustice on July 18 and July 19 in Saigon. English translation by MyPhuong Le, Women for Human Rights in Vietnam, www.whrvn.org.   more »

This is a presentation of documentary evidence of significant differences between a published audio recording by Viet Weekly Magazine of a press conference held by the American Embassy at the Hilton Hanoi on April 6, 2007 and the official Embassy transcription of that conference. I received the Embassy transcription from James Warren, Counselor for Public Affairs, on July 7 after repeated inquiries beginning May 29, 2007. This press conference is still not listed on the American Embassy website, although other press conferences that occurred afterward are given normal coverage. It was transcribed from a recording in the U.S. at an unknown date. The substance of my charge continues to be evidence of Viet Weekly’s manipulation of the audio recording and their pro-Communist viewpoint, which can be seen further in their absence of coverage of the press conference of April 6 regarding the physical prevention of invited guests at the Ambassador’s residence from entering his home by the Vietnamese police. It is clear that Ambassador Michael Marine has been violated by the Vietnamese police by their actions toward his invited guests who are Vietnamese citizens. This was the major topic of the press conference and the context of his statements. Jean Libby, VietAm Review   more »

Life, Poetry, and Prison--Cuoc Song, Thi Van, va Tu Day is a new bilingual publication of the poetry of Nguyen Chi Thien especially designed in small inexpensive size for students use and organization benefits. The author and his editorial assistant Jean Libby will be presenting some of these poems at the Milpitas Community Library on July 14, 2007. The Vietnamese reading is at 3:00 p.m.; English reading at 4:15 p.m., and a reception at the the library is at 5:15 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome. 40 N. Milpitas Blvd. 95035 The Friends of the Milpitas Library program sponsors have prepared a souvenir for attendees which commemorates the anniversary (Ky Niem Hoa Dia Nguc) on July 16, 1979 when the author brought his manuscript of prison poems to the British Embassy in Hanoi, asking that they be published in "their free country." The souvenir reproduces the original handwritten French inscription by the poet (he brought it first to the French Embassy on July 14, 1979 but was unable to get in), the English translation published by the Index on Censorship in London in July 1982, and a new handwritten translation in Vietnamese by the author. The original inscription and English translation was first published by QueMe in 1982 in a trilingual collection Nguc Ca--Chants de Prison--Prison Songs--with music by Pham Duy. This is reprinted with the permission of the original publisher in 1982, QueMe in Paris. The author was presented commendations from the Mayor of Milpitas, Jose Esteves, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and the Viet Arts Institute.    more »