Formation Of The French Committee For Democracy In Vietnam

In the effort to widen support from international political institutions and public to the struggle for freedom and democracy in Vietnam, the Free Vietnam Alliance has campaigned continuously to form international committees to help meet the goal. Among the bodies which have been formed are the Swiss-Vietnam Committee For Freedom And Democracy, the Belgium Committee For Democracy In Vietnam, the Canadian Friends For A Free Vietnam, and German-Vietnamese For Democracy In Vietnam. A number of similar committees are being organized in the United States, Japan, and Australia.

In France, the Free Vietnam Alliance began its campaign in May 1995 with a series of meetings with respected elected officials, scholars, and writers. Soon after the campaign started, Christian Vanneste, Representative and Councilman of Northern France joined the effort to form a French committee. A few months later, ten other members of the Legislature agreed to work with Mr. Vanneste toward this end. They are Louis de Broissia, Denis Jacquat, Michel Hunault, Pinte Etienne, Jean-Pierre Foucher, Emmanuel Dewees, Thierry Mariani, Michel Bouvard, Pierre Lellouche, and Georges Mesmin. Others who have worked on this cause include Councilwoman Liliane Durieux, former Councilman Carlo Olgiati, Bernard Taillades, and Jean-Marie Massonnau.

On February 14, 1996, Christian Vanneste, in coordination with the Free Vietnam Alliance, called a meeting at a National Assembly office to discuss the goal, direction, and by-laws of the prospective committee.

After careful discussions, the attendants at this meeting decided to officially form the French Committee for Democracy in Vietnam. The founding members of the committee set out 4 goals:

1. Advocating the democratization of Vietnam,
2. Campaigning the French public and the Europe communities to be aware of and to support the Vietnamese aspirations for freedom and democracy,
3. Conveying the truth about Vietnam to the French and the European public and government officials,
4. Supporting organizations that are struggling for democracy in Vietnam.

The founding members of the committee also decided to organize a conference to elect its officers and prepare for the public commencement ceremony on March 12, 1996, at the National Assembly complex.

For more information on this effort please contact:

- The Free Vietnam Alliance Coordination Office: (33) (1) 46 30 37 85
- Madame Forges, Secretary to Representative Vanneste: (33) (1) 40 63 83 24

Paris, February 14, 1996
The Free Vietnam Alliance