Recently, a number of short-sighted congressmen sent their letters to the Senate Committee on Finance urging the US Congress not to approve PNTR for Vietnam as they said it would be a big mistake committed by the US administration. Their arguments were still based on the old story that Vietnam’s human rights record remained bad.

It is apparent that over the past 15 years, since the normalisation of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations, they have incessantly made slanderous allegations about human rights in Vietnam.

Some of them, also known as authors of the so-called Vietnamese Human Rights Bill, often capitalise on sensitive issues relating to democracy, human rights, religious freedom, and press freedom to sabotage Vietnam and undermine the positive development of relations between the two countries.

In fact, Vietnam-US relations are entering the final stage of the normalization process. If the US Congress approves PNTR for Vietnam, the process will be regarded as a complete work to create favorable conditions for further developing comprehensive relations between the two countries. Regrettably, there remain some Americans continuing to oppose the current trend of development and cooperation in the world. Wrong actions taken by such people show that they still bear old grudges against Vietnam. Their views are erroneous and prejudiced and in stark contrast to Vietnam’s constant efforts to do its utmost to rebuild and develop the country in spite of serious consequences of the US war of aggression.

Judging from Vietnam’s national development history, particularly its 20 year-old process of Doi Moi (Renewal), it is clear that the country has made remarkable progress in improving human rights. The late President Ho Chi Minh once declared: “I have only one desire, a most earnest- to achieve complete independence for our country, complete freedom for our people, and opportunities for all our countrymen to have adequate food and clothing and education”. His wish has become a reality.

The United Nations (UN) has recognised Vietnam’s success in implementing the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) on poverty reduction ahead of schedule by 2015. The country has also provided primary education services to all school-age children. About 99.5 percent of communes nationwide have primary schools. Ethnic minority children can study at boarding schools with funding from the State budget. The rights of speech and religious freedom have received due attention. The number of religious followers has increased rapidly in recent years to 20 million at present from 15 million 10 years ago. Press agencies can frankly mention the dark side of the society and actively take part in the fight against negative phenomena. Moreover, at the National Assembly (NA) sessions, deputies representing voters nationwide can give their opinions on important issues of the nation. Vietnam never denies mistakes and social evils emerging during the country’s development process.

In fact, not all American people, especially US congressmen, have wrong views on the human rights situation in Vietnam and use this as a pretext for obstructing the development of bilateral relations. So far, as many as 50 US congressmen have voiced their support and asked the US Congress to quickly grant permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status for Vietnam. Most of them have objected to the abuse of human rights issues to prevent the PNTR approval process. For them, the approval of PNTR status will bring about many benefits to US enterprises. US Senator Bananh said that the move will help the US enhance relations with one of the most dynamic and high-growing markets in Asia’s key region. US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Marine also said President Bush’s administration supports the approval of PNTR status for Vietnam and the US President will visit Vietnam by the end of this year, making a gesture of goodwill from American people towards Vietnamese people.
There is no denying that Vietnam and the US are looking to a bright future in line with the current trend of co-operation and development. In such a context, all attempts to undermine the development of bilateral relations are doomed to failure.