Viet Electeds in Rosemead

 

VIETNAMESE AMERICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS IN ORANGE COUNTY

9191 Bolsa Avenue, Suite 209

Westminster, CA 92683 
 

 
 

VIETNAMESE AMERICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS OBJECT TO THE ORANGE COUNTY VISIT BY VIETNAMESE PRESIDENT NGUYEN MINH TRIET 
 

Until Vietnam makes further democratic reforms to respect the rule of law, release all of its political prisoners and comply with the minimum human rights standards expected of a member of the civilized community, they should not be rewarded with further trade privileges.

 

LITTLE SAIGON, ORANGE COUNTY – To show solidarity with the Vietnamese American communities throughout the United States, the highest ranking elected official of Vietnamese-American decent, California Assemblyman Van Tran, and the Vietnamese-American elected officials in Orange County strongly urge all public officials and business leaders to boycott the reception with the Vietnamese President, Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, at the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point on Saturday, June 23^rd.  
 

Mr. Triet represents a government that blatantly violates the human rights and religious freedoms of the Vietnamese people. 
 

Vietnam has recently arrested, tried, convicted and imprisoned a large number of human rights activists including Catholic Priest Nguyen Van Ly, Attorney Nguyen Van Dai and Attorney Le Thi Cong Nhan. This crackdown came right after joining the World Trade Organization with a promise to improve political freedom in Vietnam. This behavior only confirms that Vietnam is not ready to join the international community - even for international business endeavors. 
 

Though our nation is in the midst of a great struggle worldwide, above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have. 
 

If every American would learn this lesson, we would be able to continue to look forward to a better future and have confidence that -- as President Reagan used to say -- "the best is yet to come." 
 

As Vietnamese-American elected officials, we understand that freedom comes at a great price and know first-hand that it must be fought for, protected, and handed on for the next generation to do the same. 
 

But until Vietnam makes further democratic reforms to respect the rule of law, release all of its political prisoners and comply with the minimum human rights standards expected of a member of the civilized community, they should not be rewarded with further trade privileges.  The United States needs to adopt a more aggressive strategy for negotiating with our trading partners on economic rules, international trading agreements, and the environment. 
 

The United States government should also make the protection of intellectual property rights a major issue and should be prepared to retaliate economically against countries, like Vietnam, that steal American goods and services.  Today American inventors, entertainers, researchers and manufacturers are victims of theft, and their government should do more to protect them. 
 

Vietnam cannot begin a healing process to rebuild the political, economic and moral ruins which have gone on for decades until these reforms are embraced. 
 

As Vietnamese-American elected officials, we urge you to take this opportunity to send a clear message to the Vietnamese regime that its current conduct is not acceptable in today’s world.  
 

By boycotting any meeting with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet or any of the Communist Vietnamese delegation, you will demonstrate your solidarity with the Vietnamese American community which has demanded freedom and democracy for the 84 million people in Vietnam for over three decades and will show your displeasure with Vietnam’s oppressive policy towards its own citizens. 
 

Please do not hesitate to contact Assistant Republican Leader, California Assemblyman Van Tran’s office with any questions or concerns.  For more information, please contact Mr. Truong Mien Diep at (714) 600-7836. 
 

Sincerely, 
 
 
 

Van Thai Tran, Esq.

California State Assemblyman

Assistant Republican Leader 
 
 

Andy Quach

Council Member

City of Westminster 
 
 

Tri Ta

Council Member

City of Westminster  
 
 

Dina Nguyen, Esq.

Council Member

City of Garden Grove 
Lan Quoc Nguyen, Esq.

President, Board of Education

Garden Grove Unified School District 
 
 

Trung Quang Nguyen, Esq.

Vice-President, Board of Education

Garden Grove Unified School District 
 
 

Andrew Nguyen

Trustee

Westminster School District 
 
 

Truong M. Diep

Director

Midway City Sanitary District