[soontobethree]

The summary below was written by **** Graham (a prominent advocate in the adoption arena) and summarizes the current situation very well…we need everyone's help in the Form of letters, email or fax now.

As you may know, adoptions in Vietnam have been suspended for almost three years since the Vietnam law requiring an adoption agreement between Vietnam and any country adopting from Vietnam went into effect. Since that time negotiations have been on going between the United States and Vietnam. Those negotiations have now reached a critical stage.

Prime Minister of Vietnam Phan Van Khai will be in Washington on June 21 to meet with President Bush. This will be the highest ranking Vietnamese official to visit the United States since the end of the Vietnam War. They will be discussing a wide range of issuesand we must have the agreement between Vietnam and the United States as one of the major issues to be discussed. We have heard through sources in Vietnam that it is extremely important that President Bush address this issue with Prime Minister Khai. It is hopeful that soon after such discussions an agreement could be reached.

The Vietnamese have just sent their latest proposal to the Department of State so this is a great opportunity to impress upon everyone inashington how important it is to address this issue in the upcoming meeting.

I urge everyone, even if you are not contemplating adopting from Vietnam to write, fax and email President Bush (address, fax and email are below) and urge him to talk directly with Prime Minister Khai as this may be our best hope yet of once again opening adoptions in Vietnam. I also urge you to write your Senators and Congressman and ask them to contact the White House about this issue. This needs to be done this week and also again around June13 to keep this issue on their minds.

This issue should be important to all adoptive parents and families and not just those who may adopt from Vietnam. Problems can arise with any country's adoption program so let us all support those families that have been waiting so long to adopt from Vietnam.

We do have a voice, let's use it to get this agreement completed and get on with helping these children find their homes.

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Phone Numbers

Comments: 202-456-1111

FAX: 202-456-2461

E-Mail: President George W. Bush: president@whitehouse.gov

Vice President Richard Cheney: vice.president@whitehouse.gov