Laotian-American National Coalition
Richmond, California 94804

Honorable Congressman Philip M. Crane
Chairman, Subcommittee on Trade of the Committee on Ways and Means
Capital Hill
Washington DC
Fax (202) 225-2610

Subject:  US NTR for Laos

Dear Honorable Congressman Philip M. Crane

We, the Americans of Laotian descent, hereby express our wholehearted support the Bush Administration’s Trade Initiative in Southeast Asia to extend the US NTR to Laos and ask that you support this initiative as well.

Respectfully Yours,

The Voice of the Laotian American National Movement
In support of
The Bush Administration's Trade Initiative
To extend Normal Trade Relations to Laos 

We believe that:

Widespread and rapidly growing unemployment among youth in Laos has driven tens of thousands of them to flee to Thailand and other neighboring countries where they fall prey to exploitative and inhumane treatment by their employers and criminals; while the land-locked Laotian economy continues to weaken due to decline in foreign investment and its weak capability to compete with its neighbors in the export markets. The situation is further aggravated by the continued denial of US NTR while such privilege is enjoyed by its stronger immediate neighbors, including Vietnam and Cambodia.

US NTR for Laos is not a panacea for its social economic problems, but it will put Laos on a level playing field with its neighboring countries on which to compete for a share of the U.S. markets. This in turn will stimulate domestic and foreign investment in Laos and give the country a fair chance to provide decent jobs for its youth and thereby help reverse the current ill treatment and suffering they have had to endure, both in Laos and in neighboring countries.

We realize that Laotian communities across the U.S. are not unanimous in their views about the current Laotian Government and its policies, and that the majority of Laotian Americans still wish to see more political reforms and changes. But we believe that a stronger Laotian economy will improve living conditions of the Laotian people who, in turn, will then become real stakeholders and, eventually catalysts for change. Experience in Asia has amply demonstrated that the democratization process has been economically driven.

While understanding and respecting the views of those opposing the granting of US NTR for Laos, we ask that they also understand and respect our views and positions on this important matter. As American citizens, we have the obligation to respect each other's rights and freedom to express our views in accordance with our belief and conscience.

The majority of Laotian Americans have reconnected with their homeland. Most of them have returned to Laos for visits and have relatives who are still there and wish to see that they be given a fair chance for a better living. Most Laotian Americans believe that promoting economic development is the best way to promote peaceful and sustainable change in Laos.

We wholeheartedly applaud and share the position taken by the Bush Administration on the issue of US NTR for Laos. Ambassador Hartwick is trying to encourage discussion and favorable consideration of this initiative.

Laotian Americans and friends of the Laotians who share our views should exercise their right of freedom of speech by voicing their views to their respective Congressional representatives, especially members of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The opposition to the US NTR to date seeks to isolate and impoverish Laos for their own ambiguous political agenda. They have organized and financed aggressive lobby efforts to prevent hearings on this matter. Some of them continue to believe that poverty will force change in Laos. Recent history in Asia shows otherwise. People in isolated and poor North Korea have no means to ask for change, they starve in silence; while in relatively rich South Korea and other parts of Asia (Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines etc.) growing affluence of the peoples have created economically strong and well educated middle class who in turn have proven to be the real incubators and guardians of the growing democratization process.

A constructive engagement approach is a better alternative for the U.S. to promote change in Laos; and that promoting change through peaceful socioeconomic development is far more effective and humane than deliberate impoverishment of our fellow Laotians in Laos. Laos needs to adopt international standards and strengthen the rule of law. We should voice our collective efforts to urge the U.S. Congress to grant Laos the US NTR.

Laotian American National Movement will try to coordinate and in some cases help to campaign for US NTR for Laos. Our American friends can certainly help to do the same. Let's not leave out any body that can help.

For more information, please contact:

The US-Lao NTR Coalition
C/o Laotian-American National Coalition
120 Broadway, Suite 4
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 235-5005, (510) 235-5065
Website: Laotianlink.com
Email: Laotianlink@USA.com

____________________

The list of endorsers and supporters