Text: Ambassador-Designate Outlines U.S. Priorities Toward Vietnam
(Ambassador-designate Burghardt's Nov. 6 statement)The United States in its relations with Vietnam will continue to put a high priority on the fullest possible accounting of U.S. servicemen who were prisoners-of-war or missing-in-action, according to Raymond F. Burghardt, the U.S. ambassador-designate for Vietnam.
In prepared testimony for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Burghardt, a career U.S. diplomat, also called the recent approval of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between the United States and Vietnam "a major milestone."
Burghardt told senators November 6 that both Hanoi and Washington would benefit from the BTA.
Vietnam "will now be able to export products to the United States at the normal tariff rates that are given to almost all other countries in the world," he told the lawmakers.
At the same time, the communist regime is "committing itself to significant economic reforms" that could help prepare the way for Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), Burghardt said.
Burghardt said the United States "will provide technical assistance to Vietnam for its efforts to implement the Bilateral Trade Agreement."
Human rights "will continue to be a fundamental issue" in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Vietnam, according to Burghardt.
The United States will continue to engage the Hanoi regime "in an increasingly frank and honest dialogue on human rights," and will also speak out on issues such as religious freedom and workers rights, he said.
Following is the text of Burghardt's remarks, as prepared for delivery:
(begin text)
STATEMENT BY RAYMOND F. BURGHARDT
SUBMITTED TO THE U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
NOVEMBER 6, 2001Chairman Kerry and Members of the Committee:
I am honored to appear before you today as the President's nominee to be the United States Ambassador to Vietnam. I am grateful for the confidence and trust that President Bush and Secretary Powell have placed in me.
I began my Foreign Service career in Vietnam during the war years, over thirty years ago. After several months of working with USAID to assist refugees, I served for two years in our Embassy in Saigon. One of my main jobs was to be the Embassy's liaison with religious groups including the Catholics, Cao Dai, and Hoa Hao. Six years later, when I was at our Consulate in Hong Kong, I worked to assist the Vietnamese boat people who were arriving there in great numbers. I then worked as Deputy Director of the Department's Office for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. In March 1982, I accompanied Richard Armitage, then a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, on the first official visit to Vietnam to negotiate resolution of the POW/MIA issue.
Therefore, it is a very special honor for me to have been selected by President Bush to serve as the second U.S. Ambassador since normalization of relations. Our first Ambassador to Hanoi, Pete Peterson, performed with great dedication and determination. He made major progress in developing the new relationship between our two countries. If confirmed as Ambassador, I would aspire to build on Pete Peterson's outstanding work.
Mr. Chairman, in my last two assignments, as Director of the American Institute in Taiwan and Consul General in Shanghai, I had the privilege of hosting visits from many members of this committee and others in Congress. If confirmed by the Senate, I hope to welcome you, Mr. Chairman, and many of your colleagues to Vietnam. Advancing our interests in Vietnam will require continued close cooperation between the Administration and Congress.
If confirmed as U.S. Ambassador, my primary mandate will be to protect American citizens and promote U.S. interests, while fostering and developing a relationship with the leadership and the people of Vietnam that will benefit both countries. I will work diligently to gain continued cooperation from Vietnam on our efforts to achieve the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel from the Vietnam War. Achieving the fullest possible accounting remains one of our highest priorities in our bilateral relationship with Vietnam.
The recent approval of the Bilateral Trade Agreement is a major milestone in relations between the U.S. and Vietnam. Both sides will gain from this agreement. Vietnam will now be able to export products to the United States at the normal tariff rates that are given to almost all other countries in the world. At the same time, Vietnam is committing itself to significant economic reforms. These reforms will provide enhanced opportunities for U.S. business in Vietnam and can prepare Vietnam for future entry into the World Trade Organization. The U.S. will provide technical assistance to Vietnam for its efforts to implement the Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Promotion of U.S. interests abroad includes promotion of U.S. values. We have been able to engage the Vietnamese in an increasingly frank and honest dialogue on human rights. I will continue this dialogue and espouse our ideals on religious freedom, workers rights, and all other aspects of human rights. Human rights will continue to be a fundamental issue in our bilateral relationship.
Since the terror attacks of September 11, we have sought Vietnam's cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The Vietnamese government has expressed its support and provided additional security for our people and properties. Vietnam has also used information provided by us to conduct immigration namechecks and review of banking accounts to ensure that terrorists and their supporters are not using Vietnam as a base of operations. If I am confirmed, I will seek to strengthen the cooperation of Vietnam in combating terrorism.
The United States wishes to see a prosperous Vietnam that develops the potential of its 78 million citizens. The people of Vietnam are famed for their industriousness, their entrepreneurial talent, and the high value they place on education. The success of the Vietnamese-American community is a testament to these qualities. A prosperous and confident Vietnam can contribute greatly to the peace and security of the East Asian region. We seek a cooperative and constructive relationship with a Vietnam that is a confident member of the global community.
I appreciate this opportunity to exchange ideas. If confirmed, I welcome the opportunity to work together advance our goals and objectives in Vietnam. Thank you.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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