The 10-member U.S. Congressional Staff Delegation visited Vietnam from March 25th to April 1st. Delegation members are chiefs-of-staff or senior legislative staffers and directors, senior policy advisors from both the Senate and the House of Representative.
At the meeting, Phong briefed the delegates on VUFO's activities in people-to-people diplomacy as well as peace movements of the peoples in two countries. He also emphasised key milestones in the evolution of bilateral relations, highlighting the role of VUFO, the Vietnam – U.S. Society (VUS) and people’s organisations in fostering the Vietnam – U.S. friendship.
VUS Vice President, Bui The Giang briefed the guests about the humanitarian support programme between the two countries, especially the recovery from the consequences of war-era landmines, issues regarding Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims, and the search for remains of missing U.S. servicemen (POW/MIA) in Vietnam.
Sharing Vietnam’s efforts in settling the consequences of war, Giang spoke highly of the U.S. veterans' organisations in promoting the two countries' friendship and cooperation and redress the consequences of the war on the Vietnamese people.
VUFO Vice President in-charge and Secretary General Don Tuan Phong (M) at the meeting.
In turn, Natalie stressed that the visit of a delegation of U.S. Senate Staff Assistants, from both Democratic Party and Republican Party, is meant to show U.S. congressmen’s deep interest in boosting the broader and deeper affiliation between the law-making bodies of Vietnam and the U.S. as well as the two countries’ ties.
She added the visit of her delegation helped promoting exchanges and mutual understanding, delivering the delegation members’ suggestions for holding more exchanges and sharing experience in related activities.
At the meeting, the two sides also discussed issues regarding Vietnam – U.S. ties, the settlement of war consequences, globalisation and Vietnam.
10 members of U.S. Congressional Staff Delegation.
The delegation visited Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue, Hanoi and the province of Tien Giang. The delegation met with officials at the central, provincial and municipal levels and discussed a broad range of key issues in bilateral relations and of mutual interest. They also visited AO/Dioxin decontamination project at Da Nang Airport, witnessing the process to clean up the soil and difficulties to solve the war consequences. In Hanoi, staffers met with External Relations Committee of the National Assembly, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Industry and Trade, etc.
At the same time, as part of the Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act (MECEA), staffers also visited historical and cultural sites in Vietnam.
The team is scheduled to have a work trip to Quang Ninh before heading back to U.S. on April 1st./.
VNF
