Fresno, California 93727 3April 16, 2003 The Honorable Chairman Williams Thomas And Congressional members of the Ways and Means Committee 2208 Rayburn HOB Washington, D.C. 20515-0522 Re: Granting of Normalize Trade Relations to Laos Dear Chairman Thomas, My name is Sam Thowsao Bliatout, a private US citizen who came to this country from Laos via refugee camp of Thailand in 1976. Graduated with Ph. D. in business administration in 1987, and currently owned a shopping center in Fresno, California, taking initiative and serve as chairman for economic development project on Southeast Fresno/Southeast Asian, funded by the city of Fresno, Vice-President of API Republican Coalition for the State of California. Also, in collaboration with the international business team I had made frequent flying to Southeast Asia for the last 12 years to do business consulting, specifically for Thailand and Laos and therefore I am writing this letter to request that NTR be granted to Laos for future sake of the poor Laotian citizens. Please co not allow this matter be interfered by conditions set by few small group of Laotian overseas political organizations as will cripple millions of their own citizen back home rather than do any good. We realize that problems such as human rights and democracy are existed, but not only Laos. As such, we should not take a small claim made by few small factions into consideration and panelize Laos for what they have been working hard to improve it. Within the Laotian's educational background and management capacities they have tried their best to adapt to the world by adjusting much of their rules and regulations for economic revitalization while improving human rights activities on the other hand. As an economic consultant in the region for over ten years I am confident enough that human rights and democracy will definitely follow when sufficient education and health care are properly provided, and by granting NTR to Laos I believe will be a major step toward achieving it. Despite the many negative issues voiced out by some political factions I have seen that Laos had been improving tremendously for the last ten years such as new construction can be seen almost every corner of the country, pave road and other communication systems are well connected, banking and business development gradually spread throughout the nation. With NTR in place, economic development in Laos will undoubtedly_catching up with its neighboring countries, such as Vietnam, China and Thailand. Lastly, I believe that it is part of this country's responsibility as the superpower nation to ensure equal access and services offer to our friends who are trying hard toward reaching our goals of promoting democracy and equality. I pledge that you vote "YES" to NTR for Laos at the United States Congress. If I can be of assistance to this matter, please do not hesitate to let me know. Sincerely, Sam T. Bliatout, Ph.D. Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104 Granting Normal Trade Relation to Lao P.D.R. is a Moral Obligation The Honorable Charles B. Rangel Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives Dear Congresman Rangel: On April 21, 2003, the Lao-American community seeks your support for extending normal trade relations (NTR) status to Laos. This will bring into force the comprehensive bilateral trade agreement that the United States concluded with Laos in 1997. Laos has been unfairly denied NTR status in the past due to the legacy of the Indochina War. Those who oppose NTR for Laos are mostly former military officials who oppose anything that would strengthen the tie between Laos and the US. They are claiming genocide and ethnic cleansing in the country. On the contrary, according to Ambassador Wartwick, there is no evidence to support these claim. Their accusation is motivated by their bitterness that they can't let go due to the legacy of the Indochina War. Most of Lao-Americans, especially the younger generation, would rather to move on and see that the two countries strengthen their ties. I have traveled to Laos five times in the last five years and visited extensively thorough out the country. Laos has suffered tremendously because of the Indochina War. Hundreds and thousand of men, women and children still die each year due to the unexploded cluster bombs that the US dropped between 1964 and 1973. Lao people have suffered enough, however, they are every humble, generous and willing to move on. They deserve US economic involvement. The US has a moral obligation to improve tie with Laos and provide assistance to its development. Unlike Vietnam and Cambodia, Laos is the only Indochina country that has maintained unbroken ties with the US through the Indochina War and its aftermath. Laos has been providing a tremendous support to the US on the issues of POW search and narcotic control. Laos has also become a great support on counter-terrorism after the September 11, 2001 incident. And yet, Laos is the only Indochina country that US has not granted NTR. This is morally wrong. Please vote for NTR for Laos. It is the only right thing to do. Sonelay Boualouang Lao-American Community Dallas, Texas 75206 To: Honorable Philip M. Crane, Chairman, Subcommittee on Trade of Ways and E-mail: hearingclerks.waysandmeans@mail.house.gov Honorable Crane: This letter is in strong support of granting normal traderelation status (NTR) to the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos). After more than twenty years in their new country, many Laotian-Americans still have a need for goods and services that used to be part of their daily lives back in their motherland. These goods, which include arts and crafts, agricultural products and canned food items, are unavailable to Laotian-Americans here in the United States. Many Laotian-American entrepreneurs see this as a promising job and business opportunity. Granting NTR status to Laos will allow these entrepreneurs to pursue their ideas. American businesses will also benefit from granting of NTR. Currently, US have a very small business establishment in Laos, compares to China, Thailand, and Japan. NTR will encourage and allow a greater presence of US companies in this country. Laos has established itself to become an important market for US goods and services when it joined the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) in 1997. The United States Government should help American companies grab a bigger share of this market by granting NTR status. NTR status will help strengthen good understanding between the governments and peoples of the United States and Laos. Cooperation on POW/MIA, narcotics control and terrorist issues indicate that Laos is committed to building a better relationship with the United States. Granting NTR status will demonstrate that the United States is also committed. I appreciate very much a joint proposal of Honorable Colin Powell, Secretary of State and Honorable Robert Zoellick of the USTR, for granting NTR to Laos. I should appreciate if you could kindly support the proposal in granting NTR to Laos. Sincerely, Congressman Philip M. Crane Fax: 202-225-2610 Re: Granting Laos NTR Dear Congressman Crane: Prasith Sid Bounsouaysana Arlington, VA 22204 As a concerned Lao-American, I am compelled to help my country build a competitive economy and I believe granting Laos normalized trade relations (NTR) is one of them. Laos had suffered tremendously and it will get worse without the immediate lending hands of the U.S. Currently, almost half of the population live under poverty while the rest of the world is developing at a great rate. We cannot blindly turn our backs against them and let them die because I truly believe we can save them, however big or small. The US is the most compassionate and generous nation on this earth and by giving Laos a chance, it will be able to stand up on its own one day. Without NTR, Laos will not only collapse economically, but socially and politically as well. If you don't believe me, please go to Laos and see the reality of life with your own eyes. You'll see how sick and starving the people have become. They desperately need to be rescue and feed. By granting Laos NTR, the US will help the country and the people build better lives. It's indispensable that this action be taken now before it's too late. Thank you immensely for your attention and I look forward to seeing you granting Laos NTR in the near future. Regards, Anola Boutah Personnel Analyst South Riping, Virginia 20152 To: Honorable Charles Grassley, Chairman, Committee on Finance, United States Senate. Honorable William M. Thomas, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means. Honorable Philip M. Crane, Chairman, Subcommittee on Trade of Ways and Means Committee, E-mail: hearingclerks.waysandmeans@mail.house.gov Fax: (202) 225-2610 Honorable: This letter is in strong support of granting normal trade relation status (NTR) to the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos). After more than twenty years in their new country, many Laotian-Americans still have a need for goods and services that used to be part of their daily lives back in their motherland. These goods, which include arts and crafts, agricultural products and canned food items, are unavailable to Laotian-Americans here in the United States. Many Laotian-American entrepreneurs see this as a promising job and business opportunity. Granting NTR status to Laos will allow these entrepreneurs to pursue their ideas. American businesses will also benefit from granting of NTR. Currently, US have a very small business establishment in Laos, compares to China, Thailand, and Japan. NTR will encourage and allow a greater presence of US companies in this country. Laos has established itself to become an important market for US goods and services when it joined the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) in 1997. The United States Government should help American companies grab a bigger share of this market by granting NTR status. NTR status will help strengthen good understanding between the governments and peoples of the United States and Laos. Cooperation on POW/MIA, narcotics control and terrorist issues indicate that Laos is committed to building a better relationship with the United States. Granting NTR status will demonstrate that the United States is also committed. I appreciate very much a joint proposal of Honorable Colin Powell, Secretary of State and Honorable Robert Zoellick of the USTR, for granting NTR to Laos. I should appreciate if you could kindly support the proposal in granting NTR to Laos. Sincerely, Caristan Braun California-Asia Business Council (Cal-Asia) Letter in support of Normal Trade Relations with Laos: To the Chairman House Ways and Means Committee U.S. House of Representatives Washington DC Electronically to: hearingclerks.waysandmeans@mail.house.gov Sir: The California-Asia Business Council has steadfastly supported commerce between California and Asian nations throughout its 32-year history. At this time, we ask the House of Representatives to favorably consider granting Normal Trade Relations to the People's Democratic Republic of Laos. We understand that US Trade Representative Zoellick and Secretary of State Powell have written to the House Ways and Means Committee in support of Lao NTR. Normal trade relations with Laos will positively affect economic development in Laos and thus benefit the people of Laos. The relative size of the two economies means that the reduction of tariffs implicit in NTR will hardly be felt by the U.S. However, the message NTR sends to the world could not be more relevant. Namely, trade brings peoples of the world together and we wish our relationships with every legitimate nation to be one of mutual respect. Our continuing liberalization of trade relations with Vietnam serves to illustrate the importance of such action. Jeremy W. Potash, California-Asia Business Council Ways and Means Committee Big Lake, Minnesota 55309 Subject: Establishment of Normal Trade Relations with the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) Dear Sirs: We are writing in support of the legislation the will acted upon shortly concerning the establishment of Normal Trade Relations (NTR) with the LPDR. We support this action. As stated recently by the United States ambassador to Laos, this country is one of only four that do not benefit by NTR status. Based on statements by our ambassador we see no reason to continue to exclude LPDR from trade with the United States. The United States has many people from Laos living within its boarders. Better trade relations would allow them to buy items from their homeland at an affordable rate. Many of these people once assisted our government during its conflict in Southeast Asia. For various reasons they had to leave their homeland and it only seems fair that they be able to have contact with their culture by having realistic access to products from Laos. Laos is a poor country. Yearly income for many of its people is measured in hundreds of dollars. Establishing better trade relations would improve the economic future of the people of Laos. Critics of the NTR point to human rights violations by the LPDR. While this should be a concern, it should not be a reason to deny NTR status to the LPDR. The United States has trade relations with many counties that have abysmal human rights records. One needs only to look at the Middle East for these examples of abuse. Critics want to deny NTR because the government of Laos is communist. During the cold war we engaged in trade with many communist governments, including our great nemesis the Soviet Union. We currently trade with many communist coun tries, including China, Vietnam and Cambodia. The cold war is over, its time to treat Laos as we would any other country. Good trade relations can go a long way towards improving the lives of the people of Laos. To this end we urge you to support the establishment of Normal Trade Relations with the LPDR. Thank you for your consideration of our concerns. Mark and Janice Carroll Caterpillar Asia Singapore 627968 The Honorable Phillip Crane Chairman, Subcommittee on Trade House Ways & Means Committee Dear Chairman Crane: On behalf of Caterpillar Asia, I would like to urge you to move forward to pass Normal Trade Relations (NTR) with Laos. We are well aware that NTR with Laos has been strongly endorsed by Secretary of State Powell and U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick. Laos NTR is important to our company for the following reasons: -Laos is a member of the ten country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) group-ASEAN is America's third largest overseas market; our trade with ASEAN contributes nearly 800,000 high paying U.S. export jobs; and, American companies have tremendous equity in the region as its top investor. -Passing NTR for Laos is a key step to building the foundation for moving forward with the Enterprise for ASEAN Initiative (EAI) which was announced by President Bush on October 26, 2003 at APEC in Los Cabos, Mexico. Engaging ASEAN through the EAI is an important step for U.S. competitiveness in this key market. As you know, China is moving forward with negotiations for a ChinaASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and Japan and Europe are also beginning to implement similar frameworks with ASEAN. -The Administration and U.S. Embassy in Vientiane report that Laos is showing signs of moving forward on key areas of past concern as we enhance engagement with the country. These areas, including religious freedom, human rights and economic reform are highlighted in the Administration's letter to you recommending moving forward on Laos NTR. -This legislation will allow U.S. companies to have enhanced protection for trademarks and investment in Laos and ASEAN. For all these reasons, I hope that the House Subcommittee on Trade will move forward with NTR for Laos as soon as possible. This would be considered a positive step forward for U.S. leadership on trade in Asia, and particularly in the ASEAN region. Thank you for your consideration and support. Mark Schoeneman General Manager/Director CFCO International Washington, D.C. 20006 April 21, 2003 The Hon Phil Crane Chairman US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Trade Washington DC 20515 Dear Congressman Crane: Congressional authorization of Normal Trade Relations for Laos is doing the right thing, because it is the right thing to do! The official US conflict in Indo-China is long over, as is the American Secret War in Laos. |