Vietnam trade bill draws criticism
HANOI - American businesses and aid groups are lobbying U.S. senators to vote down a bill that
ties aid money to Vietnam's human rights record, saying it will harm relations between the two countries.
Hanoi's leaders have already said passage of the bill would be a ``big mistake,'' hinting strongly that it
could interfere with and delay U.S. ratification of a bilateral trade bill. The human rights bill was passed
by the House on Sept. 6 and is expected to come before the Senate within a month.
Last week a group of international non-governmental organizations and the American Chamber of
Commerce sent letters to U.S. senators urging them to vote against the bill.
``It will have a disastrous effect on our relations,'' said Lady Borton, representative of the
Philadelphia-based American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker aid organization in Hanoi. ``It will
really undermine the work that so many people have put into reconciliation efforts.''
The legislation seeks to link increases of non-humanitarian aid to Vietnam to progress on human rights.
It would also provide $2 million in funding to U.S. groups that promote democracy in Vietnam —
something that Hanoi's communist one-party regime sees as a threat.
Borton said she is afraid that if the U.S. legislation is passed, Vietnam would retaliate by restricting the
work of non-governmental organizations here.
The trade pact Hanoi says could be threatened is widely expected to substantially boost commerce
between the former foes. That legislation is pending in the Senate.
Vietnam is routinely criticized by international human rights groups and the State Department for its
repressive policies against religious and political dissidents.
The Associated Press - September 24, 2001.
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