Gene Green 29th District, Texas Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515-4329
June 6, 2001
The Honorable Phan Van Khai
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
1 Bach Thao, Hanoi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Dear Prime Minister Khai:
It has been brought to my attention that your government arrested Father Nguyen Van Ly for the practice of his religious beliefs. I vehemently oppose this action by your government.
Religious tolerance is the most fundamental individual right a person can have because, regardless of whether you are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian, freedom to worship transcends political ideology. Holding Father Ly once again demonstrates that your government is incapable of discerning political dissent from the simple exercising of one’s faith. I urge you to immediately release Father Ly and recognize both his and his flock’s right to follow a higher power than the government in Hanoi.
Your actions will directly influence my voting stance on all free trade issues between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I cannot, in good conscience, support any economic measures that would reward Vietnam when it continues to arbitrarily imprison its citizen for exercising their religious beliefs. The Vietnam conflict ended over two decades ago and your government to stifle any perceived dissent indicates to me that the Communism in Vietnam is seriously flawed and will cease to exist in the near future.
As a sign of good faith, I urge you to release Father Ly and other religious prisoners, and allow differing religious views to be heard. Thank you for your consideration of my correspondence and I look forward to a prompt rely.
Sincerely,
Gene Green
Member of Congress