U.S.-Asia Pacific Council John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary Washington, DC April 11, 2008 Our relationship with Vietnam has also entered a new chapter. Our countries enjoy significant and growing trade and economic ties; an emerging military-to-military relationship; successful cooperation on health and development issues; growing cultural and educational links; and a shared interest in ensuring peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.... I see three major tasks that the United States faces in the coming decade as we look at Asia: (1) further improving regional cooperation to complement our existing bilateral security alliances, (2) promoting continued prosperity, and (3) accommodating rising Asian powers into the international system while also challenging them to assume global leadership on major international issues. Entire speech: http://www.state.gov/s/d/2008/103464.htm ************************************************************* No mention of human rights issues, political imprisonment, labor trafficking, Congressional resolutions (H.R. 3096). Why should Hanoi bother about any of these issues when the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State does not? Jean Libby, editor VietAm Review   more »

Dear Community Partners, I am delighted to inform you that the Assembly Education Committee passed Assembly Bill 2064 with a 6-0 vote in yesterday’s hearing. As many of you are aware, AB 2064 will require the State Board of Education and the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission to adopt textbook and instructional materials that include instruction on the Vietnam War. This bill specifically requires textbook and instructional materials to include the “Secret War” in Laos; the role of Southeast Asians in that war; AND the refugee/immigrant/new American experience as a result of the Vietnam War. The bill is attached to the letter from Assemblyman Juan Arambula, 31st District.   more »