2007-05-29
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. President George W. Bush was meeting Monday with four Vietnamese-American opponents of Vietnam's communist government in a show of disapproval of Hanoi's increasingly harsh treatment of anti-government activists.
In announcing the visits, National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the meeting was «to discuss the best way the international community can support efforts to promote greater freedom and openness in Vietnam.»
Vietnam appeared to have taken a new path toward a more open society as it worked toward acceptance as a member of the World Trade Organization last year. After a new government came to power a year ago, the screws began tightening. The main crackdown began leading up to a Pacific Rim summit late last year hosted by Hanoi.
One of Bush's guests, Cong Thanh Do, founding member of the People's Democratic Party of Vietnam, has been associated with three activists sentenced two weeks ago on conviction of spreading anti-Vietnamese propaganda over the Internet.
They were accused of violating Article 88 of Vietnam's criminal code, which broadly prohibits disseminating information harmful to the state. Vietnamese prosecutors say the three used the Internet to spread their ideas.
The three were among six people convicted and sentenced to prison in the Vietnamese government's latest crackdown on dissent. One of those convicted was charged with trying to organize anti-government demonstrations during a visit by Bush to Hanoi last year.
In addition to Cong Thanh Do, Bush was meeting with Diem Do, chairman of the Vietnam Reform Party; Nguyen Le Minh, chairman of the Vietnam Human Rights Network; and Dr. Quan Nguyen, chairman of the International Committee for Freedom to Support the Nonviolent Movement for Human Rights in Vietnam.
«The United States has been concerned by the increasing incidence of arrest and detention of political activists in Vietnam for activities well within their right to peaceful expression of political thought,» Johndroe said.
«As Vietnam's economy and society reform and move forward, such repression of individuals for their views is anachronistic and out of keeping with Vietnam's desire to prosper, modernize and take a more prominent role in world affairs.»
In another development, the Democratic chairman of the U.S.-Vietnam Caucus in Congress resigned Friday and introduced a resolution condemning the convictions of pro-democracy activists.
«I have been a consistent friend to Vietnam, but I cannot compromise my support for human rights,» Rep. Earl Blumenauer said. «While I have always argued that we need to judge Vietnam on the progress it makes, it is clear to me that the Vietnamese government is headed in the wrong direction on democracy and human rights.»
1 comment:
Good words.
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