Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Against Larry Agran's proposal. IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. --=----6 · \
From: Betty Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 4:49 PM To: info Subject: Against Larry Agran's proposal.
Hello, I'm an Irvine resident for 17 years. My family totally against the proposal of being a sister with Nha Trang city in Viet Nam. We are anticommunist for 4 generations and we don't want our children go through those horrible days again. We think council member Larry Agran making a huge mistake. Thank you, Betty Nguyen Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposa IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. 5 · \
------· ------·------·----·-----· ------From: L.T.D. Engineering [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 4:04PM To: info Subject: Fw: Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal
Dear Sirs, We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Irvine city for the past 6 years. We very much against this proposal.
Thanks
LONG DANG
1 Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal
-·---·------·--·-·-·----·-·- --··-··-··-···--·---·---·--·----·-··--;=--=·-=-=====·=-==-=-=;--·--·- From: LTNguyen [mailto:[email protected] IN CONNECTION Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 3:43PM WITH AGENDA To: info Subject: Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ITEM NO.5·\-=----'---
Dear Sirs, We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Irvine city for the past 20 years. We very much against this proposal.
Thanks LTN Ci'ty of Westminster
fro-m- t:her~or Mayor Tri Ta
April 4, 2014
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members IN CONNECTION City of Irvine WITH AGENDA 1 Civic Center Plaza ITEM NO.5.\__;;;;..;...._..;....._ __ Irvine, CA 92606-5207
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
I am writing to express our concerns regarding your City's consideration of making Nha Trang, in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a "Sister City". As you know, the City of Westminster is home to one of the largest Vietnamese communities outside of Vietnam. As a community, we have always strived to promote our collective culture and heritage. An important touch/stone for this community is freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of ideas, and most importantly, freedom from oppression. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam's communist government has a well documented history of human rights violations. These violations and the government's continued abuse of its citizens should not be rewarded by formalizing relations with an American city such as Irvine.
While this stance on human rights is held by the majority of the Vietnamese-American community in Orange County, this sentiment is particularly strong in Westminster. As a City, we have enacted a number of resolutions calling for reform in Vietnam and condemning the government's human rights violations·. We would ask that you carefully consider your City's proposed action and the impact it will have on the Vietnamese American community in Orange County. s~a~.--·-- Tri Ta Sergio Contreras Mayor Council Member
8200 Westminster Boulevard - Westminster, California 92683 Phone (714) 366-0376 Fax (714) 898-2021 a Email [email protected] Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRVINE CITY & NHATRANG CITY OF VIETNAM
From: tran hinh [mailto:hinh [email protected]~J------r=I=N=C=O=N=N==E=C:;:T~IO~N~=l Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 9:19 AM WITH AGENDA To: info; irvinecitycouncil ITEM NO. ~5~,.-.\ -- Subject: NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRVINE CITY & NHATRANG CITY OF VIETNAM To whom it may concern . Dear Sir/Lady ! My name is Hinh Tran , I have been living in orange county for 25 years , I strongly disagree and against the Sister's city relationship between Irvine city & Nhatrang City of Vietnam . Hinh Tran Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: City Hood IRVINE & NHA TARNG
IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: tuan vu [mailto:[email protected] ITEM NO. 6' I Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 9:19 AM To: info Subject: City Hood IRVINE'& NHA TARNG
My name is Tuan Vu and phone number is 949-587-1374,
I DO NOT SUPPORT CITY HOOD of IRVINE & NHA TRANG which w'll be voted IN YOUR MEETING on Tuesday 4/8/2014 Thanh you for your vote NO on City hood Irvine & NhaTrang for the reasons which our elected officers and Jane Nguyen, our Supervisor reported to you yesterday
Thanks again
Tuan Vu
1 Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Objection to establishing relationship with Nha-Trang!
IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA -----Original Message----- ITEM NO.6.\ From: Hieuhuele [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 9:37AM To: info Subject: Objection to establishing relationship with Nha-Trang!
The beautiful, peaceful, prosperous, democratic city of Irvine, USA, should NOT have anything to do with Nha-Trang or ANY city in Viet-nam, because: -they do not have a democratic government. -they are lack of all the characteristics described above for Irvine. -the people in Viet-Nam right now are under the control of the dictatorship of the communist party! Our peaceful Vietnamese community in Irvine and everywhere in the free world does NOT want to see the Communist leaders wandering amongst us! Please do not invite them to come here. Nha-Trang has nothing to offer Irvine. Irvine would loose everything that we have been protecting! Respectfully submitted.
Hieu Hue Le
(Paracellslands & Spratly Islands belong to VIET-NAM) Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Irvine and Nha Trang
IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: minh tran [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO. _5_. _. ..._) __ Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 9:50AM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Irvine and Nha Trang
I am an Irvine resident. I object to any relationship between Irvine and Nha Trang. Please vote no to this proposition. I will be at the city hall tomorrow, at 4PM. Minh Van Tran 20 Riverside Irvine, CA 92602 Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: NO on sisterhood with Nha Trang, VN IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. 5. \ From: Lethuy Tanya Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 9:50AM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: NO on sisterhood with Nha Trang, VN
Good morning Mayor Choi and members of the Council,
Please consider voting No on making Nha Trang, VN as our sister city. Our family has lived in Irvine since 1979 and has seen all the changes, most are wonderful and some are not so wonderful. By incorporating this sisterhood will be a very sad day for our family. My dad was a lieutenant colonel for the Republic of Vietnam and almost lost his life to the Communist in 1975. My mom at 40 year-old took all seven children to flee the country in search for freedom with $100 in her hand. Two days after the flee, she met her nephew and gave him $20. We arrived in California 3 months later with only $50 for 8 of us. The reverend of First Lutheran Church took us in and gave us a steady start and now almost 40 years later, we are all successful engineers and doctors. Four of seven children and my parent are still living in Irvine. My dad will be the one most affected by this sisterhood. He is now 80 years-old and has not seen his mother country half his life time and will cry to see the communist flag fly in the city he has lived almost 35 years. This flag represent so much sadness. First, his father was killed by the communist with so much cruelty. They buried him alive because he worked as a cook for the French during their regime. Second, the communist confiscated all their belongings and they had lived over 30 years in poverty. Third, the communist flag represents all my father's friends and his soldiers blood whom were killed during the war and also those whom killed themselves at fall of Saigon, not wanting to be killed in the hand of the communist. In 1975, thousands of family flee to find freedom and those stay had experience the cruelty and soon flee by boat to search for freedom, which hundred of thousands have lost their life. Their flag flying at city hall will only remind us of all the sadness and will continue remind us everyday of all the bloodshed. I would not imagine the Jewish community have to face the chall~nge of seeing the Hitler flag flying in the city they live in. Keep in mind the Communists are still confiscating the farmers land and developing as they wish. This government has never consider developing the country for their people but for their selfish greedy wealth.
For the last 35 years, our family has never voiced on any issue but now our voice needs the be heard. My dad will not be with us much longer, I will commit to do my best to see him smile with pride and walk with dignity. Please members of the council and Mayor Choi, vote No on the sisterhood of Nha Trang, VN. We have made Irvine our hometown and will continue to want our children build a stronger city. Again, please please please vote NO, not just for theVietnamese American but also for our Vietnam Veteran.
Sincerely,
Lethuy Tanya Nguyen, 00
1 Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: protest the sisters between city of Irvine,California and City of Nhatrang Vietnam.
Fro~: Joe Dao [m~ilto:joeldao~qmail.coml ~-IN CONNECTION Sen~. Monday, Apnl 07, 2014 9.55 AM VVITH AGEND To: 1nfo A Subject: protest the sisters between city of Irvine,California and City of Nhatrang Vietn~niJEM NO _5=--· \.___ __
We are resident ofWestminster,california, a Vietnamese refugee. We don't want to see any Vietnamese communist agent who will back and forth in any city of this Orange County. Therefore we protest the City oflrvine wants to make sisters with City ofNhatrang Vietnam Communist. Joseph Dao Westminster.
1 Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: STOP SUPPORT FOR DICTATORSHIP,ONE COMMUNIST PARTY RULING MAFIA VC :NO SO CALLED "sister cities" with Mafia Communists.
IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA iTEM NO. 5 · \ From: Tiger Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] 1 Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 10:00 AM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: STOP SUPPORT FOR DICTATORSHIP,ONE COMMUNIST PARTY RULING MAFIA VC :NO SO CALLED "sister cities" with Mafia Communists.
Dear Irvine city council, We know that the DUMP Larry Agran ,a member of Irvine city council is willing to support Mafia VC
A dictatorship communist ONLY ruling party in VN.Under this communist regime,The Vietnamese people living · in a worst situation - NEVER BEFORE .. EVEN during the VN war ! -The Vietnamese of variuos RELIGIONS cannot practice their religious even that written in VN communist constitution ifNOT JOIN to their designed STATE CONTROLLED ORGANIZATION,Thay control all media systems .Jail and arrest all Vietnamese people who raise their VOICE peacefully against the ruling communist party take their land,property,limitted or prohibited practicing their freedom of speech, worship
.. .inappropriattely using their Mafia POWER !.. We suggest this dump council member should go and live in Mafia style communist VC country to be a "flat,real citizen of Vietnam Communist" in order to KNOW what this REGIME IS!
We ,the Citizen of Great U.S.A respect Human Right;Freedom ofSpeech,Worship .. CAN NOT make friend,sister WITH A Mafia BANDIT organization style country like Vietnam Communist- ONLY -PARTY Dictatorship ruling Country (or Cities).As long as they continue to SUPPRESS all basic RIGHTS of Vietnamese PEOPLE ..
Sincerely,
John Vinh. Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Vote NO to have relationship between 2 cities Irvine and Nha Trang
IN CONNECTION From: Annie Vo [mailto:[email protected]] WITH AGENDA Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 10:11 AM To: info ITEM NO. --.::5=-· -=-'__ Cc: Nga Vo Subject: Vote NO to have relationship between 2 cities Irvine and Nha Trang
To Whom it may concern, My name is Annie Vo, our family was one of many boat people, Irvine resident since 1986, we vote NO to the suggestion to have the relationship between 2 cities Irvine and Nha Trang, please proceed our votes. 1/ Annie Vo 23 Willowhurst Irvine, Ca. 92602
2/ My parents Ngon Vo and Nam Do 1 Perryville Irvine, Ca 92620
3/ My brother and his wife Hoa Vo and Mindy Tran 1 Kernville Irvine, Ca 92602
4/ My daughter Lisa Tran78 Clifford Irvine, Ca 92618
Sincerely. Annie Yo Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Against "Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City" Proposal. Attachments: Tho_ Goi_NTKH_Irvi ne_Ag ran_040614.doc; ATIOOOOl.htm
IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: T2ngo [mailto:[email protected] ITEM NO. _5...._.----'\_ __ Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 10:19 AM To: irvinecitycouncil; info Subject: Against "Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City" Proposal.
April 6, 2014
Mr. Larry Agran Irvine Councilman cc: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember
Subject: Against "Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City" Proposal.
Dear Mr. Larry Agran:
We are writing to ask you to withdraw "Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha-Trang City" Proposal. We are strongly against your proposal of Sisterhood between Irvine City of America and Nha-Trang City of Vietnam for the following reasons:
1. Nha-Trang City is governed by corruptive Communist officials. They terrorize their own people and any other opponents to maintain communist party dictatorship in VietNam. 2. Currently they are trying to reach foreign relationships around the world on behalf of their Communist government to rescue their ill falling-apart dictatorship policy. 3. They are trying to make relationship with Irvine City to protect their own communist party-oriented interests. They are not aiming to promote the real human cultural and social relationship between Irvine and Nha-Trang City in VietNam.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Nha-Trang Khanh-Hoa Friendship Association
Ngo Thi$n Tanh, President Van Hung 86c, Controller V6 HD'u Chanh, Advisor Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal
IN CONNECTION -----Original Message----- WITH AGENDA From: Kieutien Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 10:37 AM ITEM NO. 5-\ To: info Cc: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal
Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC : Dr. StevenS. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember
We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County for the past three (3) years ( 23 years in USA). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely,
Tram Bui Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: To prote.st the Proposal of Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City
1 IN CONNECTION From: Tang [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 1:53AM To: info iTEM NO S- \ Subject: To protest the Proposal of Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City
Dear Irvine City Councilors,
I am a Vietnamese American living in Irvine. I have lived here for 33 years. I would like you all to reconsider "the Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal". I strictly dislike and oppose it.·
Thank you very much for your kind consideration on such a delicate issue.
Sincerely, TNN Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Stop a naive suggestion!!!
IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: tehat [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO. 5-) Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 7:34AM To: info Subject: Stop a naive suggestion!!! Please stop to be a communist city's sister. It is a human right violation when your city try to help these animals who defied all human right of their people.Don't be a naive and stupid city Anson Phan Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Petition to Irvine City Council Larry Agran.
From: Thuy Dang [mailto:[email protected] IN CONNECTION Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 10:45 PM WITH AGENDA To: info ITEM NO 5. \ Subject: Petition to Irvine City Council Larry Agran.
My name is Thuy Dang...... Tel # (408)923-8816 I am opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran : Formation of a friendship city relationship between city of Irvine and city of Nha Trang VietNam The reason is : Vietnam is still a Communist country. Because the Communist, millions of Vietnammese people must escape from their country and hundred thousand of Vietnamese people were died on the way to find the freedom. Please don 't believe anything the Communist told you , let's see what the Communist do with their people " Sincerely, Thuy Dang Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Against the idea of Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City of Viet Nam
IN CONNECTION From: Ti Ha [mailto:[email protected]] WITH AGENDA Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 6:11PM ITEM NO _5 _ 1 To: info - . Subject: Against the idea of Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City of Viet Nl;a;m;-----_:--==J
Dear Mr Larry Agran, Councilman,
I have learned about the proposal Sisterhood of the two Cities (Irvine ,California and Nha Trang,Viet Nam) As you know that VietNam still under Communist Regimen that ran by Dictatorship for the last fourty years. Being a Vietnamese who lives in the USA since 1975,1 know that this is a BAD proposal. Beside, the City of Irvine has many Vietnamese to live in. And also it is next to City of Garden Grove and Westminster where there are more than three hundred thousand Vietnamese.
In the past,you are probably aware that there were more than twenty thousand Vietnamese gather to protest the VietNam officers who visited Westminster.
I can predict that City of Irvine would have to deal with once the two cities have connected I am strongly oppose this proposal. Sincerely, Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: Opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran
IN CONNECTION From: Tin Tran [mailto:[email protected]] WITH AGENDA
Sent: Friday/ April 04 1 2014 10:27 PM ITEM NO. 5 I~ To: info Subject: Opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran
My name is Tran,Tin Luong,Tel # 714-423-0890 I am opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran : Formation of a friendship city relationship between city of Irvine and city of Nha Trang VietNam The reason is : Vietnam is still a Communist country. Because the Communist, millions of Vietnammese people must escape from their country and hundred thousand of Vietnamese people were died on the way to find the freedom. Please don 't believe anything the Communist told you , let's see what the Communist do with their people " Thanks Tin-Tran Valarie Burlingame
Subject: FW: please don't make the relation with vietnamese communists ! ·
IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: TO NGUYEN [mailto:[email protected] ITEM NO 5. \ Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 11:32 AM To: info Cc: Thu Dzung Do Ky; Long Vu; [email protected]; Binh le khac; Jady Le; ngocquynh le Subject: please don't make the relation with vietnamese communists !
Dear Lady/Sir, We, the Vietnamese Americans as the former refugees from the communist Vietnam,would like to request that you, please don't make any relation with the Vietnamese government, even at the city level, because : The Vietnamese communists are dominating their people with a brutal police -based policy to suppress all people's voices for the human rights, the free speech, the free religion and even for their love to the nation against China's aggression. Currently, tens bloggers are in jailed by the this communist government just because they only expressed their opinion against Chinese communist government 's aggression and many more other persons including the lawyers, doctors, reporters have been or are being in jailed or house-jailed by protesting the injustice or demanding the democracy for people.Here is one of the communists 'trials when they convicted the priest Den van Ly just because the fatherLy raised his voice for the justice and the democracy :
On social life, most Vietnamese people are still living in a poor level while most members of communist party are living in the luxurious and extremely satisfied life. Following are the images that show how this communist government cares the children's life when they go to schools. Have you ever you known that such government ignore these poor kids like these while the top state officials sent their own children oversea to United Stated, French, Japan, British, German, Switzerland, Australia, etc ... These Communist are living with the corruption, under table money from the foreign investments or international aids. These poor kids and their families never received these money and they have to go to schools on the dangerous ways because their government couldn't even build a small bridges in such poor countrysides after 39 years since the Vietnam war ended. (We knew that the Japaneses just needed 15 years to rebuild their devastated-by-atomic-bombs nation becoming a great nation !)
....., ··. _.. -.·~··:·i~~~~ .>L.,; ... ,.:ol'l;.·::.·~..~ :, :~ f1~, ;-: X,;:';::.,., 'I' • ,,, ·~ •- Since the wars befor~ and now, the communists always show that they are the master in deceiving and covering the worst of their regime in international relations. Our Vietnamese people have an old saying:" Don't listen to what the communists say, but just look at what they have done." Please, please don't make the Nhatrang city from Vietnam a sister city with our Irvine City. The communists will take advantage from our liberty to make benefits for themselves, instead of the poor Vietnameses. Sincerely yours, To Nguyen ( 408) 772-3968 2 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: http://www.irvi nequ ickrecords.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid =4614 &doctype=Agenda Attachments: cha ly.jpg IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. _,5...._· ...... ,_\...___ From: Tri Minh Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 5:56PM To: info Cc: Anh Dao; An Hao HT CNS Levanduyet; "[email protected]" Minh Thu We Oppose COUNCILMEMBER AGRAN'S FRIENDSHIP CITY RECOMMENDATIONS lvine-Nha Trang (Vietnam): SISTER CITY because communist Vietnam strongly violated human rights an freedom ( http://www.irvinequickrecords.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=4614&doctype=Agenda) Tri Minh Nguyen 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: No sister with Viet Nam IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA -----Origi na I Message----- ITEM NO. 6 · \ From: Tuan [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 6:40AM To: info Subject: No sister with Viet Nam To city of Irvine, Would you please Not consider any relationship with VietNam unless they untie, release their citizen from the jail; unless they immediately Stop their torture to their citizen, who only exercise their Human Right to against China to capture, torture the shipmen of Vietnam in VN . Best regards, Anthony Pham and Samnhung Nguyen 17763 Liberty In, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Sent from my iPad Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Opposed· the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA -----Origi na I Message----- From: Uythao [mailto:[email protected]] ITEMNO. 5. \ Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 1:53 PM To: info Subject: Opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran To : Mr Larry Agran, Council member of Irvine. My name is William Pho, my telephone number is 321-304-5240. I am opposed the resolution of Irvine council member LARRY AGRAN : Formation of a friendship city relationship between city of Irvine and city of Nha Trang Viet Nam. The reason is: VietNam is still a communist country. Because the communist, millions of Vietnamese people must escape from their country and hundred thousand of Vietnamese people were died on the way to find the freedom. Please don't believe anything the communist told you, let's see what the communist do with their people. My best regard, William Pho Sent from my iPad 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Communist Vietnam Coming to Irvine Case [ IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ,I iTEMNO 5.\ From: Van Cao [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 7:56PM To: info Subject: Communist Vietnam Coming to Irvine Case My family is strongly against the case about the people ofNha Trang being united together with the Vietnamese people in Irvine. Tung. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sister cities program with Nha Trang, Viet Nam IN CONN5CTION From: Ha Nguyen thu [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 8:46AM ITEM NO _.,6~~:.....\+--- To: info Cc: [email protected] Subject: Sister cities program with Nha Trang, Viet Nam Dear Mayor Choi and Council members As a refugee from the evil Communism, I appreciate with all my heart for another chance to live with dignity and freedom that this great country has offered me and my family. Now that one of your council members considered inviting the representative of that inhuman government to come to this beautiful city of Irvine, my family and Vietnamese community in general feel hurt and offended once again! I urge your fair and great city councilmen think twice about this and make the right decision about keeping the Communism and its symbols away from us . Your city administration has done a wonderful job to keep Irvine one of the most worthy to live in cities .in America. Please continue your great work and say NO to any efforts to penetrate our society from Vietnamese communists on behalf of your voters. Truly yours, Ha Nguyen and family Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Objection to establishing relationship with Nha-Trang! -----Original Message----- IN CONNECTION From: Hieuhuele [mailto:[email protected]] WITH AGENDA Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 8:14AM ITEM NO. 5-\ To: info Subject: Objection to establishing relationship with Nha-Trang! The beautiful, peaceful, prosperous, democratic city of Irvine, USA, should NOT have anything to do with Nha-Trang or ANY city in Viet-nam, because: -they do not have a democratic government. -they are lack of all the characteristics described above for Irvine. -the people in Viet-Nam right now are under the control of the dictatorship of the communist party! Our peaceful Vietnamese community in Irvine and everywhere in the free world does NOT want to see the Communist leaders wandering amongst us! Please do not invite them to come here. Nha-Trang has nothing to offer Irvine. Irvine would loose everything that we have been protecting! Respectfully submitted. Hieu Hue Le (Paracellslands & Spratly Islands belong to VIET-NAM) Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: To protest the Proposal of Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City. From: Ho Ngo [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 7:37 PM IN CONNECTION To: info WITH AGENDA Subject: To protest the Proposal of Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City . ITEM NO . .5. \ Dear Honorable City Councilors, I am a Vietnamese American and living in Irvine . I request you all to reconsider the Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. I strictly dislike and oppose it . ( I hope you realize that all levels of the Vietnamese Government are together in one corrupt system; also its police and secret police forces terrorize their citizens 24/7. Local government like Nhatrang, was ordered to terrorize and/or harass all dissidents, although they were peaceful demonstrators. Thank you very much for kindly consideratipn on such delicate issue. Sincerely yours, Ho Ngo Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran ------·-··------· ·-·--··--·-·------·------·------·------·· From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected] ··-----·------, Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 8:18 AM IN CONNECTION To: info WITH AGENDA Subject: Fw: Opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran liTEM NO 5, \ Subject: Fw: Opposed the resolution of Irvine council member larry Agran Reply-To: hoa tran On Friday, April 4, 2014 7:37 PM, Tien Nguyen Xin qui vi Gi.fi ngay email t6·i City Irvine theo address : [email protected]. us a@ phan afii vi~c k~t nghHi gifra Irvine v6i Nha Trang cua VN . Quen ai thi phfi bi~n , ai vi~t ciing auQ·c khong nhftt thi~t phai Ia resident cua Irvine. Cftn lam ngay vi councils Irvine se hQp a@ quy~t aiJ}h vao Tuesday April 8th tuftn t6i rfii. Noj dung c6 th@ tuo·ng tv· nhu sau : 11 My name is ...... Tel# I am opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran : Formation of a friendship city relationship between city of Irvine and city of Nha Trang Viet Nam The reason is : Vietnam is still a Communist country . Because the Communist , millions of Vietnammese people must escape from their country and hundred thousand of Vietnamese people were died on the way to find the freedom. Please don 't believe anything the Communist told you , let's see what the Communist do with their people 11 Phfi bi~n cang nhi~u , cang tat va cftn lam ngay Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: KhoaTran- 414Y [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 9:50AM IN CONNECTION To: info WITH AGENDA Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ITEM NO. S-) April 5, 2014 Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in the United States for the past 38 years (12 of 38 years in Orange County) . We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City Proposal due to violations of human rights in Vietnam. Sincerely, Khoa Tran Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Oppose friendship between Irvine and Nha Trang City in VN -----Original Message----- IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Ken Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 2:38 PM ITEM NO_ 5.\ To: info Subject: Oppose friendship between Irvine and Nha Trang City in VN I'm strongly oppose making Friendship between Irvine and NhaTrang Cities, because Nha Trang authorities also Vietnam government in general do not respect basic human right, violating HR International Law that they signed! Ken Nguyen Sent from my iPhone Cooldad Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ·-- From: KhoaTran - 414Y [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 9:44AM IN CONNECTION To: info WITH AGENDA I Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ITEM NO 5.) .. I! April 5, 2014 Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember 1 We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in the United States for the past 38 years (12 of 38 years in Orange County) . We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Khoa Tran 2 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: no friendship with City of Nha Trang From: Khiem Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] IN CONNECTION Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 8:58PM WITH AGENDA To: info Subject: no friendship with City of Nha Trang ITEM NO. 6· \ we oppose the relationship with bad city of Nha Trang in Vietnam under local · authority that never respect human rights, democracy and freedom to Vietnamese people!!!!!! liar communist government get out of VN community in 1 Orange County!!!! All members of Nguyen Family in Irvine 2 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: AGAINST SISTERHOOD OF IRVINECITY & NHA TRANG CITY PROPOSAL ~~~~;j~~-~~-~Y~~~~-r~n-0 ~-~~-~~~:j~:~~~i~26g-1@-ya-h~-o.c~~-]------·-··------\ ~~~~~~~~~~N ------· -- To: info ITEM NO. 5 · \ Subject: AGAINST SISTERHOOD OF IRVINECITY & NHA TRANG CITY PROPOSAL , -- .. .. ·--· ------·-·- --- ______Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 24 years (18 of 24 years in Mission Viejo). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Johnny & Marion Nguyen 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Irvine & Nha-Trang cities From: Natalie Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 4:00PM To: info IN CONNECTION Subject: Fw: Irvine & Nha-Trang cities WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. 5· \ On Saturday, April 5, 2014 3:56PM, Natalie Nguyen My name is Natalie Nguyen, tel# 949-551-4586 I reject the resolution of Irvine council member Larry A gran : Formation of a friendship city relationship between city of Irvine and city of Nha Trang VietNam The reason is : Vietnam is still a Communist country . Because of the communist dictatorship, millions of Vietnammese people must escape from their country and hundred thousand of Vietnamese refugees died on the way to find the freedom. Please do not believe anything the Communist told you, let us see what the Communist did and doing to their people ". Thank you to vote "NO" for the formation of a friendship cities between city Irvine (Ca, USA) and city Nha-Trang (Vietnam). Natalie Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Protest the proposal of a Friendship City relationship with Nha Trang, VietNam From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: FW: Protest the proposal of a Friendship City relationship with Nha Trang, VietNam Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2014 23:52:56 -0700 --- ··------·--- Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 3:43PM To: info IN CONNECTION Subject: Sisterhood oflrvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal WITH AGENDA ITEM NO ...... 6~. \J--- Dear Sirs, I am a Vietnamese American, I against this proposal. ThankYou My Nguyen On Thursday, April3, 2014 10:12 PM, DoxSon Thank you very much for keeping an eye on such delicate issue. Please feel free to forward my opinion. Sincerely yours, /JbXu{mSon Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against the sisterhood of Irvine and Nha Trang city proposal From: Dai Pham [mailto:[email protected] -··------Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 10:42 PM ! li\J CONNECTION To: info f '/\liTH AGENDA Subject: Against the sisterhood of Irvine and Nha Trang city proposal ! TEM NO ~5.....,.._;;,. _.\ __ My name Dai Pham, US citizen in Orange County. And former political prisoner in Vietnamese Communist detention camp I strongly protest the sisterhood between Irvine city of Orange County and Nha Trang city (of Vietnamese Communist) Dai Gia Pham US citizen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: tN~eeNNEG:noN------ From: Le Xuan Vinh [mailto:[email protected] wtrHAGENDA Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 11:26 PM To: info \TEMNO. ?·\ Subject: Oppo§erll tlhle Ire§oll1llltnoll1l (Gf llirvnll1le ~Ollllilll~ftll member LairirY Agrailll Xin gui ngay email t6i City Irvine theo address : [email protected]. us d~ phan dBi vi~c k~t nghHi giii·a Irvine v6i Nha Trang cua VN . Quen ai thi phfl bi~n giup , ai vi~t cfing dU'Q'C khong nhftt thi~t phai Ht resident cua Irvine. cAn l~m ngay vi councils Irvine se hQp d~ quy~t dil)h viw Tuesday April 8th tuAn t6i roi. Noj dung c6 th~ tU'O'ng tt,r nhu sau : " My name is Chin Tel # I am opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran : Formation of a friendship city relationship between city of Irvine and city.of Nha Trang Viet Nam The reason is : Vietnam is still a Communist country . Because the Communist , millions ofVietnammese people must escape from their country and hundred thousand of Vietnamese people were died on the way to find the freedom. Please don 't believe anything the Communist told you, let's see what the Communist do with their people " Phfl bi~n dmg nhi~u ' cang tfit va cAn lam ngay Thanks Tien Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Please stop the infiltration of the Communists of VN to our beautiful Irvine County IN CONNECTION From: lan huynh [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 7:45AM ITEM NO 5- \ To: info Subject: Please stop the infiltration of the Communists of VN to our beautiful Irvine County Dear Sir/Madame, My name is Lan Huynh, a Vietnamese Boat People and Refugee ofthe Communists ofVN. I live in Florida. I have many friends who live in the most beautiful and cleanest and safest Irvine County of California. I urgently request your consideration in immediately stop dealing with the inhuman communists of VN. Please, by all means don't let them infiltrate into USA, our second and most beloved country of the Vietnamese community who are victims of the Communists of Vietnam for many generations. Respectfully yours, Lan Huynh 752 Live Oak Terrace, N.E. St. Petersburg, Fl 3 3 703 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Lam-Thuy [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 7:45 PM To: info Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 25 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, · Thuy Deo Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: NO to Irvine-NhaTrang friendship From: Steve Phan [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 8:19AM To: info Subject: Fwd: NO to Irvine-NhaTrang friendship Subject: NO to Irvine-NhaTrang friendship Dear City Counsels, As you know the actual Vietnamese government and on a same scale the city ofNhaTrang' leaders are oppressing all the basic Human Rights and Religious Freedom. There is no Justice, no freedom of the Press,No Laws governing the country. All the leaders from Ho Chi Minh to nowadays are barbaric, crual and no mercy.They killed millions and millions with their "agricultural reform", "the cultural purge', the Tet Mau Than,, Ho Chi Minh and his party commit genocide compare (or even surpassing) to Hitler. Their hands are dipped in the blood of their compatriots.It is Horrible. They are now all corrupted and igobles. There is no more communism and now they become dictators. The dictatorship is the enemy of the Civilisation dictators are the enemies of the people. Do you want Irvine to be a partner of the dictatorship. There is an old saying: tell me who you like, and I will tell you who you are. I am thinking about the US economic retaliations against Russia. Respectfully, Steven Phan Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Friendship city relation with Nha Trang, Vietnam From: T. Le [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 9:26 PM To: info Subject: Friendship city relation with Nha Trang, Vietnam Hello Pam, Could you please share this email with the City council that we are very much against the proposal of the friendship relation with Nha Trang, Vietnam. We don't want any friendship relationship with people whom we havent forgotten for killing over 58000 Americans and how many millions Vietnamese during the war and how many had died in prisons and at sea for the cost of freedom that we have today. Please do not betray and waste their sacrifices by forming a friendship relation with them until Vietnam is truly free, not when there are thousands of citizens, bloggers, democracy activists, consciensed prisoners, etc .. are being abused in jail every seconds as we breath today for the basic rights that every human should have. Thank you so much, Regards, Jennifer Tuyet Le and family 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran ,IN CONNECTION From: Tam Do [mailto:[email protected] IWITH AGENDA Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 6:10AM ! ITEM NO. 5- ) To: info Subject: Fw: Opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran 11 My name is .. TAM DO ..... Tel# 714 616 3619 I am opposed the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran : Formation of a friendship city relationship between city of Irvine and city of Nha Trang Viet Nam The reason is : Vietnam is still a Communist country. Because the Communist, millions of Vietnammese people must escape from their country and hundred thousand of Vietnamese people were died on the way to find the freedom. Please don 't believe anything the Communist told you , let's see what the Communist do with their people 11 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Proposal of "Sisterly Relation with Nha Trang Vietnam IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Tho Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 5:59AM 5,\ To: LarryAgranWeb Subject: Proposal of "Sisterly Relation with Nha Trang Vietnam Dear Mr. Agran: It is my understanding that you will be proposing a "sister relationship" act between Irvine and other global cities, one ofwhich is Nha Trang, Vietnam. Can you help me understand the rational behind this proposal, and why Nha Trang Vietnam? Look forward to hearing from you. Tho Nguyen OC resident since 1978 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Oppose to the sister hood between City of Irvine (USA) & Nhat Trang (VN) IN CONNECTION From: wowang2 . [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 7:52AM ITEM To: irvinecitycouncil No.5__ ...... \ __ Subject: Oppose to the sister hood between City of Irvine (USA) & Nhat Trang (VN) Hello Mr Larry and city of Irvine council, My name is Cuong Quach and I was a communism refugee back in 197 5. I am now a US citizen but I never forgot about how the communist are. Why should Irvine wants to to be friend with a regime that does not have any human right, freedom of speech, freedom of religion. Would this friendship (or sister hood) go against our country (USA) principle? I think it is yes, therefore I send this email to ask you to reconsider your proposal and cancel the sisterhood with Nhatrang. I am oppose such friendship. Thank you in advance, Cuong Quach Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Bao Tuan [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 1:10AM To: info IN CONNECTION I WITH AGENDA Cc: A/C Khuyen (Irvine,Cali) . Subject: Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ITEM No 5. I ·------======-- Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember Although I am not a resident of Irvine, California but a resident of Paris, France, on behalf of all my fellow victims of the Vietnamese Communist dictatorial regime since April1975, I write to you to express my strong opposition to your proposal of Irvine & Nha Trang Sisterhood. Your intention in this approach proves that You DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING about Communism and especially the Vietnamese Communist (the Viet Cong). Can you tell me how many people Ho Chi Minh and his regime have massacred since they are in command? Can you tell me how many peolple lost their lives trying to flee the country as "Boat people"? Can you tell me how many former military men and government officials of the South Vietnamese Republic died in the so infamous "reeducation camps"? Can you tell me how many children were sent to Cambodia for juvenile prostitution? Can you tell me how many young vietnamese ladies were forced to become "wives" offoreigners in China, Taiwan, South Korea ... ? And last but not least, can you tell me how many new Red Bourgeois millionaires there are now after the 1975 communist take-over of Viet N am thanks to corruption at all levels of the government? I am sure YOU CANNOT! So, before deciding to defend your silly proposal, please try to answer at least one of the above questions. NO SISTERHOOD with any vietnamese city as long as the communist regime is still in place. Sincerely yours, NGUYEN Bao Tuan A former 15-year reeducation camp detainee Paris, France 2 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Irvine & Nha-Trang cities IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Anne Minton [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 9:55 AM ITEM NO. S. \ To: info Subject: Irvine & Nha-Trang cities My name is Anne Minton, tel.#(360) 582- 9697; I reject the resolution of Irvine council member Larry Agran : Formation of a friendship city relationship between city of Irvine and city of Nha Trang Viet Nam The reason is : Vietnam is still a Communist country. Because of the communist dictatorship, millions of Vietnammese people must escape from their country and hundred thousand of Vietnamese refugees died on the way to find the freedom. Please do not believe anything the Communist told you , let us see what the Communist did and doing to their people ". Thank you to vote "NO" for the formation of a friendship cities between city Irvine (Ca, USA) and city Nha-Trang (Vietnam). 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ------~=----=--===-~--·---~-- From: Anna Queen [mailto:[email protected] IN CONNECTION Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 8:46 PM WITH AGENDA To: info ITEM NO_ 5- I Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City" & Nha Trang City Proposal To: "[email protected]" Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (10 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Than chao Anna Queen -~ PD Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Irvine City& Nha Trang City From: Anh Phan [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 1:49 PM To: info Subject: Irvine City& Nha Trang City CC: DrSteven S.Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, councilmember Christina Shea ,coucilmember Dear Mr. Larry Agran,; Irvine coucilman I am the Vietnamese American. Ihave been living in Orange County, CA for the past 24 years. I am strongly against this sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang city Proposal. Sincerely, AnyPhan 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: No" Nha Trang From: Dung Lam [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 8:07AM To: info Subject: No" Nha Trang Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. StevenS. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (10 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Dung Lam Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: David Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] IN CONNECTION Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 8:05 PM To: info WITH AGENDA\ . Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ITEM NO ...... ::5~,.-!---- ------·-···~---·------·------· Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. StevenS. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years .. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, David Khoa Nguyen 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Protest to the Reletionship between City Irvine and Nha Trang(VN) From: David Tong [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 10:29 AM IN CONNECTION To: info WITH AGENDA Subject: Protest to the Reletionship between City Irvine and Nha Trang(VN) ITEM NO.5, \ I absolutely object the relationship between any city of Vietnam of the group of corruptible Communist bastards who are governing cruelly to the poor people inVite Nam. Sincerely David Tong Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: X HT [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 11:22 PM To: irvinecitycouncil; info Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman. CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem ITEM NO. 5· ' Beth Krom, Councilmember I Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans; we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (1 0 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Xuan H Tran Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood' of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Hanh Tran [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 11:44 PM To: irvinecitycouncil; info Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal IN CONNECTION Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman. WITH AGENDA CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor ITEM NO. 5~ \ Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans; we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (1 0 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. - Sincerely, Hanh Tran Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Petition against sisterhood between Irvine and Nha Trang From: drhvo [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 9:46PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Petition against sisterhood between Irvine and Nha Trang IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA LETTER OF PETITION ITEM N0_5_.~\-- April 6, 2014 Steven S. Choi Mayor of City oflrvine,Orange County, California. Mayor Protem Jeffrey Lalloway Councilmembers Beth Krom, Christina Shea ,Larry Agran Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members: On behalf of Federation of Vietnamese American Communities of the USA including 36 community members in USA, we send to you this letter of petition regarding the intention of the City entering "friendship" relationship with City ofNha Trang in Vietnam. We understand that the City oflrvine has the plan to get friendly relationship with other cities in the world for enriching benefits of the City and its citizens.However, the City of Nha Trang belongs to and is under control of the· Vietnamese Communist Party. As you know, Vietnamese government is one ofthe worst human rights violators in the world according to recent reports on human rights from U.S. State Department, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House and many others. Supporting and getting friendship with the city ofNha Trang of Vietnam means supporting the totalitarian regime in Vietnam to continue suppressing 90 millions of Vietnamese citizens.Aiso, this action will oppose to the will ofthe Vietnamese Americans who escaped Vietnam for seeking freedom. According recent census, there are 200,000 Vietnamese in OrangeCounty and 8,000 living in Irvine. Therefore, we would like to urge you to consider seriously about the intention to enter the friendship relationship with any city in Vietnam at this time. If you need further information please feel free to contact us Sincerely yours, HuuDinh Vo, M.D., Hoi Van Do M.D., President, Board of Directors, President, Executive Board, 714-928- 3038 407-234-3596D Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against the sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang city Proposal. From: Phuong Cong [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 10:57 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against the sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang city Proposal. Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA CC: ITEM N0.5. \ Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor ---- Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 21 years We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Phuong Cong Sent from Yahoo! Mail for iPad Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against "Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City" Proposal. Attachments: Tho_Goi_NTKH_Irvine_Agran_040614.doc From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 4:05AM To: irvinecitycouncil; info Subject: Against "Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City" Proposal. April 6, 2014 Mr. Larry Agran IN CONNECTION Irvine Councilman WITH AGENDA ITEMNO. 6.\ cc: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember Subject: Against "Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City" Proposal. Dear Mr. Larry Agran: We are writing to ask you to withdraw "Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha-Trang City" Proposal. We are strongly against your proposal of Sisterhood between Irvine City of America and Nha-Trang City of Vietnam for the following reasons: 1. Nha-Trang City is governed by corruptive Communist officials. They terrorize their own people and any other opponents to maintain communist party dictatorship in Viet Nam. 2. Currently they are trying to reach foreign relationships around the world on behalf of their Communist government to rescue their ill falling-apart dictatorship policy. 3. They are trying to make relationship with Irvine City to protect their own communist party-oriented interests. They are not aiming to promote the real human cultural and social relationship between Irvine and Nha-Trang City in VietNam. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Nha-Trang Khanh-Hoa Friendship Association Ng6 Thi$n Tanh, President Van Hung 86c, Controller Vo Huu Chanh, Advisor Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against city sister with Nha trang Viet Nam -----Original Message----- IN CONNECTION ____ i From: Quang Doan [mailto:[email protected]] ------WITH AGENDA Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 9:29 PM ITEM NO_ 5 ·I To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against city sister with Nha trang VietNam My name is Trung Dam I m 100% against sister city Irvine with Nha trang Vietnam Sent from my iPhone Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: H T [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 9:47PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman. ITEM NO. 5~ l CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans; we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (1 0 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, My Hoang Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: J. Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 9:57 PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal IN CONNECT/ON . I WITH AGENDA ITEMNO. _5.__,_ 1 __ Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman. CC: Dr. StevenS. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans; we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (1 0 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Jimmy Nguyen 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Vince Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 10:27 PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman. CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA Beth Krom, Councilmen1ber ITEM NO. -.5_. ..;_) _ Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans; we hav'e been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (10 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Vince Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal --·------·------·------From: Bui Tram [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 8:24 PM To: info Cc: irvinecitycouncil IN CONNECTION Subject: Fwd: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. _5 _\ Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tem Beth Krom, Councilmenber Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the three years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood oflrvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, KieuTien Nguyen 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal IN CONNECTION From: Dung Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 9:13PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil ITEM NO. 5 - ' __j I Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (10 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Dung Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: against sisterhood of irvine city &Nha trang city proposal From: tony duong [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 9:25 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: against sisterhood of irvine city &Nha trang city proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran,Irvine councilman cc. Dr.Steven S.choi,Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway,Mayor pro term Berth Krom,council member Christina Shea,councilman We are the Vietnamese americans,we have been living in Orange county,Ca for the past 38 years(12 of38 in Irvine city.we are strongly against this cityhood of Irvine city &Nha trang city proposal sincerely Tuyen quang Duong 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Hannah Truong [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 9:26 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: IN CONr~ECTION Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor WITH AGENDA Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern / ITEM NO '5. I Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, D Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Vote -Fro.;,~-TH-IE_N_N-GUY_E_N_r;~jj-to-:th-ie-n-.8-@h~-tm-all~~o~J--·--·------·· ------·--·--~~~~~-~~~~ON--- Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 6:29PM ITEM NO._S. \ To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Vote Hi city council, Please don't vote to relate with Viet Nam.They violated the human right,religion,a lot of people in jail for just give VietNam goverment idea for better for human right, freedom of speech. Don't believe what they said,see what they did to Vietnamese people. Please vote NO. Regards, Thien Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: From: Tu Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] IN CONNECTION Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 7:33PM WITH AGENDA To: irvinecitycouncil; info Subject: ITEM NO.5- \ Dear Sir/ Madame, I am a Canadian citizen and living in Toronto city, Ontario of Canada. I would like to participate my disagreement to the program given by Mr. Larry Agran who is a councilor of the Irvine city of South California United State, to aim creating the friendship relation between the two cities of Irvine ( USA) and Nha Trang ( Viet Nam ) in the time coming. I entirely disagree this program because of the continuous severe offense of human right, democracy and freedom to the whole Vietn~mese living in VietNam ruled by the communist government of Viet Nam. This is a rude, cruel and anti-democratic regime which always perform their unique party's power to rule their people full with violence, cruelty, unfairness, assault and dictatorship. Lots of innocent people have been ill-treated, tortured to death by their fierce rule and government despite all advices and warnings of civilization and freedom countries and people in our world today. Do not make friendly relation with Vietnamese government as long as they still offend the human right, democracy and freedom and many basic rights of people which were determined by the United Nation organization. Hopefully my letter of disagreement in supporting our asking and struggle for the human right, democracy and freedom for all Vietnamese people against the communist government of VietNam today and tomorrow. Liberty for VietNam and Vietnamese people ! Thank you very much for your infinitive understanding, support and co-operation. Sincerely yours, Tu Thanh Nguyen A Vietnamese- Canadian citizen Toronto, Ontario citizen 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Mung Deo [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 7:39PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal IN CONNECTION Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. 6. \ CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 25 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood oflrvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Mung Deo Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Lam-Thuy [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 7:44PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA CC: iTEM NO "5. \ Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor ·------J Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 25 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood oflrvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Thuy Deo Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Luong Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 3:42 PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal To: Irvine Civic Center 1 Civic Center Plaza IN CONNE-CTION Irvine, CA 92606 WITH AGENDA Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman ITEM NO. 6'~ \ CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea. Councilmember We are the Vietnamese American. We have been living in Irvine City, Orange County, CA for the 23 years in Irvine City. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely Lineal Nguyen & Dung Thi Nguyen (714 )299:8838 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of !Nine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Chan Phan [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 3:45 PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Cc: [email protected] Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal CC: IN CONNECTION Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor WITH AGENDA Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern ITEM NO . ...::5:::;._.~...;...\ -- Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 39 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Chan Phan Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of !Nine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: ToCha VietCong [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 3:51 PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman IN CONNECT/ON WITH AGENDA CC: ITEM NO.:Q. \ Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor ~ ----~----- Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmamber Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans. We have been living in Irvine, Orange County, CA 30 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely Minh Tran & Phuong Tran Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Relationship with the city of Nha Trang, Vietnam Attachments: Alphonse Vinh 3.doc; NXV l.doc; The Eagle's Wings.doc ------·-··--~------·-~·--~----~-----·-··-·- --~---·------·------.------. --· --·------·------····-----~-----~·--·--·-- ·-· From: Nguyen Vinh [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 4:06PM To: irvinecitycouncil IN CONNECTION Cc: Nguyen Vinh WITH AGENDA Subject: Relationship with the city of Nha Trang, Vietnam ITEM N0 . .5y_...... _ \ __ Dear Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor of the City of Irvine and honorable council members. I am writing to respectfully request that you reconsider the idea of entering into a relationship with the City ofNha Trang, Vietnam. I am not against the people in the city who are now living under the oppressive communist regime. On the contrary, the city, as we knew it half a century ago, is very dear to me since it was there that, upon graduating from the French Air Force Academy, I returned to my native country to have my first assignment as a pilot instructor at the Nha Trang Air base of the VietnameseAir Force and where my first son, Alphonse Vinh was born. He is now a well respected scholar who has extensively contributed to the Literature of the Southern Culture of the United States of America. I am sending, a summery of his publications for .. your consideration since after talking to him on the phone about your plan, I am now expressing his sentiments as a native son of the city ofNha Trang. After its admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the government of Vietnam has backtracked on its commitment to human rights. The Vietnamese authorities have increased their control over all print and electronic media, including blocking the Internet access, jamming the signals of some foreign radio stations, such as Radio Free Asia, and have detained and imprisoned individuals who have posted and distributed democracy-related materials. This is also the case at the lower level and according to Human Rights Watch, in 2009, two Vietnamese reporters from Nha Trang lost their jobs after they exposed the ongoing corruption in the City Hall We, the Vietnamese American residents in California, believe that your proposal for entering into a relationship with the City ofNha Trang, Vietnam, is ill-advised. To clear the air, in your discussion, you should ask whoever from Vietnam who contacted councilman Larry Agran with this to come forward to answer questions from the residents of our great City of Irvine. As a final note I would like to submit a note written several years ago at the peaceful costal town ofNha Trang, in contrast to the present evil communist city, and published in Empire Magazine, the Sunday magazine of the Denver Post, and also a tribute from the University of Michigan, signed by Dr. Lee C Bollinger, presently President of Columbia University, and a prominent advocate of affirmative action and a leader in promoting diversity and open debate. Sincerely yours, Nguyen Xuan Vinh, PhD (Aero), DSc (Math) 1 President, Assembly of Veterans ofthe Fonner Republic of Vietnam Professor Emeritus of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan Commander, Vietnamese Air Force (1958-1962) 2 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Irvine sisterhood From: Tom Tran [mailto:[email protected] IN CONNECTION Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 4:36PM WITH AGENDA To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Irvine sisterhood ITEM NO.6· \ Dear Sir/Madam, WE are living in Irvine for 38 years . Please be informed that we strongly protest the sisterhood between Irvine anh Nha Trang because NhaTrang city is mastered by the Communists whoc are the demons . Thank you, Tom Tran. 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Stop to a sister city with a terrorist country VN IN CONNECTION ------·------wiTt-i-AGENE>A------From: tehat [mailt?:[email protected] 6 _\. Sent: Sunday, Apnl 06,2014 4:54PM ITEM NO.-=--- To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Stop to a sister city with a terrorist country VN How come mr larry agran so naive and STUPID when suggesting Irvine to be a sister city with NhaTrang.Honnestly how much blood money you idiot Mr Larry received from the communist.Stop to be F ... naive person!!!! Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine&Nha Trang City Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 39 years .We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, William Q.Nguyen ************************************************************ **************** Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood - Action Required ASAP -----·------·---·------·-----·-··--··-······------·-··--·------·------··------· From: Loc-Lan Anh Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 12:34 PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Fw: Against Sisterhood - Action Required ASAP /IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. 6.\ Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal April 5, 2014 Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in the United States for the past 38 years (12 of 38 years in Orange County) . We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City Proposal due to violations of human rights in Vietnam. Sincerely, Nguyen .Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City From: Anna Truong [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 1:12PM To: irvinecitycouncil; info Subject: Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City IN CONNECTION Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman WITH AGENDA CC: ITEM NO. S. \ Dr. StevenS. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. we don't want any relative with them( Vietnamese Communist) since we ran away from them. Will you want to be sisterhood with a city in north Korea? I hope you understand how we feel!!! Sincerely, Anna Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Protest --.---·-·------, '··,j CONNECTION :\fiT:-l AGENDA ; ; tEM NO S · \ From: tuyen dinh [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 1:40PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Protest I, an Irvine resident, I don't want City of Irvine to become a brother with Nha Trang City. The reason is Viet Nam communist abuses the human right extremely. Thank you. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: SauNguyen, TS4 [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 2:05PM IN CONNECTION To: info; irvinecitycouncil WITH AGENDA Cc: Sau Nguyen ITEM NO. Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal """"'S""-·)-=---,._ Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern . Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (10 of38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Sau Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against the City Proposal for Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang, Vietnam -----Original Message----- From: Chieu Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 2:12 PM IN CONNECTION To: info; info; irvinecitycouncil; irvinecitycouncil WITH AGENDA Subject: Against the City Proposal for Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang, Vietnam ITEM NO. 5.\ Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman Dr. StevenS. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are Vietnamese Americans living in Irvine City for almost 20 years. We are strongly against this City Proposal for Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang, Vietnam . Sincerely, Chieu Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Irvine- Nha Trang From: fabian tonthat [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 11:11 AM To: Chistina Shea Web Subject: Irvine- Nha Trang Dear Councilwoman Christina Shea, My name is Tuan Tonthat of Rowland Heights Los Angeles county. I am writing to you today to say thank you and I really appreciate your stance on the Irvine- Nha Trang sister cities proposal by Councilman Agran. Please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation. Respectfully yours, Tuan Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sister City Nha Trang & Irvine Dear Pamela Baird, I am a resident of Irvine since 1997 and love everything about the city. I totally oppose to the Sister City with Nha Trang in VietNam because it is still a communist country where human rights have been trampled. I was a refugee of this regime and would not want to have any relations with Viet Nam now or in the future especially if it affects the city of Irvine. Best regards, Tuan Doan I I , Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against the City Proposal for Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang, Vietnam -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 11:19 AM To: info; info; irvinecitycouncil; irvinecitycouncil . Subject: Against the City Proposal for Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang, Vietnam Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman IN CONNECTION Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor WITH AGENDA Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem ITEM NO . ..._S...__.,) __ Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are Vietnamese Americans living in Irvine City for almost 20 years. We are strongly against this City Proposal for Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang, Vietnam . Sincerely, Kim Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Irvine/Nha-Trang IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO.5 I) From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 11:47 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Irvine/Nha-Trang We, True N. Huynh and Truan Pham and Hugh Huynh, are against the project proposed by Mr. Agran--The government of Nha Trang has violated basic Human Rights, the Right of Free Speech, Freedom or Religion and many more ... They · must stop their Dictatorship and embrace Democracy before we engage in helping them. Thank you very much- Signed. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Chan Phan [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 11:00 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Cc: [email protected] Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal IN CONNECTION 1 April 5 h, 2014 WITH AGENDA . ITEM NO. _s·, \ Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 39 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Chan Phan HUMAN RIGHTS FOR VIETNAM, NOT FRIENDSHIP WITH OPPRESSORS! VIETNAMESE COMMUNISTS ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS FREEDOM & DEMOCRACY FOR VIETNAM DON'T INSULT THE VIET -AMERICAN COMMUNITY, MR. AGRAN IRVINE LOVES FREEDOM, NOT HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSERS FROM VIETNAM WHO NEEDS OPPRESSIVE THUGS FOR FRIENDS, MR. AGRAN? NOT IRVINE! WE WANT FREEDOM FOR VIETNAM, NOW! NHA TRANG NEEDS REAL FREEDOM, NOT FRIENDSHIP -Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: U~ HU'u Phuc [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 7:04PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: IN CONNECTION Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor WITH AGENDA ITEM NO_ 5. \ Jeffrey Lallo,vay, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Peter Le Rangers Lead The Way Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Oppose the City of Irvine entering into a 'Friendship City' relationship with the City of Nha Trang, Vietnam. IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. '5 · \ From: Viet La [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014.6:31 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Oppose the City of Irvine entering into a 'Friendship City' relationship with the City of Nha Trang, Vietnam. Dear Mayor Choi and Members of the City Council: I oppose the City of Irvine entering into a 'Friendship City' relationship with the City of Nha Trang, Vietnam. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a chronic abuser of human rights and religious freedom. The regime in Hanoi has terrorized and arrested countless political dissidents who dared to openly criticize the government's shortcomings. The City of Nha Trang also participated in such human rights violation. According to Human Rights Watch, in 2009, two Vietnamese reporters from Nha Trang was suspended from their jobs after they exposed the ongoing corruption in City Hall. Furthermore, Nha Trang officials participated in a crackdown against a peaceful assembly last May at the behest of the Communist Party. Forming a 'Friendship City' relationship between Irvine and Nha Trang will be a direct insult to the Vietnamese American community in Orange County. According to the latest census numbers, there are nearly 200,000 Vietnamese Americans and residents of Vietnamese descent living in Orange County, and about 8,000 of whom reside in Irvine. The vast majority of the Vietnamese came here as former victims and escapees of the very regime that Irvine is now considering a Friendship City relationship. How can Irvine be friends with representatives of an oppressive government that still wages war against many of its own residents for peacefully expressing their basic rights for freedom and democracy? This ill-advised consideration inflicts a deep emotional injury to my community, but equally important, represents a disregard of the principles of freedom and liberty that all of us, as Americans, would want to espouse around the world." For these reasons, I oppose the City of Irvine entering into a 'Friendship City' relationship with the City of Nha Trang. Sincerely, Viet La Sent from http://vietla.blogspot.com/ "It's better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you'll drift in that direction."- Warren Buffett NOTE: This communication and any documents, files, or previous e-mail messages attached to it may contain non public, confidential, or legally privileged information intended for the sole use of the designated recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the sender and deleting it from your system. 2 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal --. :From: Quang Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] IN CONNECTION Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 6:08 PM WITH AGENDA To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal lTEMNO. 5- \ Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. StevenS. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (10 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Quang Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang Cit Proposal r-~---- IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA -----·------·-···------·------·------··l'fEM-No--5-·\------From: VT [mailto:[email protected] · --=--·_;____ Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 5:44PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman C/C: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember I am a Vietnamese American, I have been living in Orange County, CA from 1975 to present. I am strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. The reason is that Vietnam still does not have freedom and human rights !. Sincerely, Vinh Ton Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Hong Tran [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 5:23 PM To: irvinecitycouncil; info Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman IN CONNECTION ---.~·· WITH AGENDA ITEM N0._5"--·_,_\ __ CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange . County, CA for the past 38 years (worked over 15 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Please, do not help the Communism spreads out and invades our freedom land. Sincerely, Tran' s Family Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Tran Khac Huyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 4:35PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: IN CONNECTION Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor WITH AGENDA Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern ITEM NO. 6.\ Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember I am the Vietnamese American, i have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years. I am strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Richard Tran This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Strongly against the Sisterhood of Irvine and Nha Trang (VN ) City Proposal. From: But Xuan [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 3:12PM To:. info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Strongly against the Sisterhood of Irvine and Nha Trang (VN ) City Proposal. ~------, liN CONNECTION l WITH AGENDA !ITEM NO. !5. \ From: Ngoc D. Tran & '--=--~,------l Julie Tran & Don Tran To: "[email protected]" CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. The reason: Nha Trang has violated human rights for many years. No improvement so far! Sincerely, Ngoc D. Tran (father) Julie Tran (daughter 53 years of age) Don Tran (son 51) 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Khoi Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 2:25 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Cc: info IN CONNECTION Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. 5~ \ Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember I am Vietnamese American, I have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 34 years, the last 10 years in Irvine. I am strongly against the Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Res pectfu II y, Khoi Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sent From: City of Irvine Website - City-Council Meetings ( http://www.cityofi rvi ne.org/council/city_council_meetings.asp ) liN CoNNECTION From: Khiem Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 1:40PM l To: irvinecitycouncil l iTEM NO. 6 · \ Subject: Sent From: City of Irvine Website- City Council Meetings ( htto://www.citvofirvine.org/council/city council meetings.asp ) We ask the city of Irvine do not make any connection· with city of Nha Trang, VietNam under rude communism regime of Vietnam today which does not respect Human rights and freedom to all people in VietNam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 The nguyen family of 7 modesto, Irvine, CA.92602 · . 2 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Do not support Vietnamese communist. From: Uyen Le [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 1:17PM IN CONNECTION To: irvinecitycouncil WITH AGENDA Cc: Uyen Le I_ iTEM NO .....,5'--·. ...~..\ __ Subject: Do not support Vietnamese communist. Hi Mr. Larry Agran. By this email I would like to inform you that: After the Vietnamese communist took over the South of Vietnam, they put some hundred of thousand Vietnamese to the jails but under the communist regime, Jail is called re education camp. They also push thousand of thousands Vietnamese to the Pacific ocean in the small boat. Now Vietnamese communist grind the human right under their heels. Do you think this is the reason why City of Irvine has to have the relationship with the communist? Best regards, Uyen Le Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Irvine-Nhatrang IN CONNECTION -----Original Message----- WITH AGENDA From: Khao Trung Luu [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 1:00 PM tTEMNo _....__.!..._5· 1 __ To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: lrvine-Nhatrang We strongly opposed the proposal of Larry Agran. Luu Trung Khao Sent from my iPad 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood with Nha Trang City ·------· From: BT [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 12:43 PM To: StevenChoiWeb Subject: Against Sisterhood with Nha Trang City IN CONNECTION Dear Dr. Choi, WITH AGENDA\ ITEM NO. 6' ____l CC: Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38 years (10 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, PPhan I Valarie Burlingame Subject: . FW: sister state with Nha Trang meeting next Tuesday Attachments: 2014 state depart reportpdf / IN CONNECTION From: Phu Do Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 12:25 PM ITEM NO . ..:::6~·__;';_- To: BethKromWeb Subject: sister state with Nha Trang meeting next Tuesday HUMAN RIGHTS FOR VIETNAM PAC 10517 Garden Grove Blvd. Garden Grove, CA 92843 Tel: 714-609-9922 Writer email: [email protected] April 5, 2013 The Hon. Beth Krom via email Irvine City Council Member Dear City Council Member Krom: Since 2007, the Vietnam government has brutally cracked down on internet freedom, arresting various bloggers. The most recent report from the state department for 2013 has indicated that Vietnam is still a country with no respect for human rights. I am attaching copy of the most recent report from the state department for your review. (http://www.state.gov/j/drllrls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year-20 13&dlid=220244) As a member of the Vietnamese American community, I believe that by having a sister city ofNha Trang with Irvine, where more than 8000 Vietnamese American live would not enhance the city's status but ostracize the Vietnamese American community from its councils's members. 1 After the fall of Saigon on April 30 \ 1975 to the North Communist state, millions of Vietnamese people escaped by from Vietnam by boat, land as political refugee. Half of those who escaped died on their journey seeking freedom. Over two million Vietnamese American now live in the US. The Vietnam communist flag resemble a sign of oppression, detention, and no respect for freedom. As Vietnamese American, we cannot see the communist flag that once oppressed them flying next to the city of Irvine as a symbol of sisterhood, where there are more than 8000 Vietnamese American resides, and thousands of Vietnamese American attending UCI. Last month, I have attended the periodic review in Geneva held by the United Nations Council for Human Rights regarding Vietnam's human rights condition. Vietnam was severely criticized by many countries on their corruption and brutal crack down of human rights activists. Vietnam's treatment of its citizen was accurately reported by our state department. Should the city oflrvine become a sister city with Nha Trang, we would be sending a signal to Vietnam. In addition, all Vietnamese American who came to the US were political dissidents. We do not wish identify with a country where human rights are severely being abuse. It is not until the Vietnamese government take constructive steps in improving human rights condition, then we can send friendly signal to them. Many Vietnamese American will come to the city council meeting next Tuesday to attend the hearing and voice their opinion. Thousand will stand outside to raise their voice. As a friend of our community, we urge you to take constructive steps to vote no in this matter. We must send our message to Vietnam that as American, we value life, liberty ,and freedom. It is not until the government of Vietnam release all their prisoners of conscience, we will not treat each other as sister or brother. Sincerely, Is/ Phu Do Nguyen Director Sincerdy, Do Phu & Anh Tuan, PLC Phu D. Nguyen, Tel: 714 590 1700 INTERNET CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication and any accompanying documents are confidential information intended only for the use of the person to whom it is addressed. If the reader of this message is not the names recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the named recipient, please notify us immediately that you have received this message in error. Then delete this message and any accompanying documents without copying or reading them. You are hereby notified that any review, disclosure, dissemination, copying distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. Email is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521 and is legally privileged. 2 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sent From: City of Irvine Website - Larry Agran ( http://www.ci.irvine.ca.us/council/bios/larry_agran 1 ~~------. IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. _6..._. .:...\ __ From: Du Luong [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 11:02 AM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Sent From: City of Irvine Website - Larry Agran ( htto://www.ci.irvine.ca.us/council/bios/larry agran.asp ) please do not process the sisterhood with Nha Trang vietNam your understudying is greatly appreciate. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: DO NOT SUPPORT Vietnamese Communist Party Attachments: HERE some of THE FACTS.pdf .------"·----· IN CONNECTION From: SNguyen [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 9:52AM To: info; irvinecitycouncil ITEM NO. 6 · \ Cc: Sau, NguyenVan Subject: DO NOT SUPPORT Vietnamese Communist Party Dear Ladies& Gentlemen: Please do your research before make up your mind. All members of Vietnamese Communist Party are using their power to abuse our own Vietnamese people. They are not disserved our help. Supporting those authorities means you are tolerating their crime. Please review my attachment to make your smart decision. Please vote NO. Thanks Son Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Letter of recommendation to The Mayor and all council members. Attachments: Irv Protest SisterCity w NhaTrang. Mayor and Coun.doc From: LyLe Khac [mailto:[email protected]] IN CONNECTION Sent: Saturday, April OS, 2014 1:54AM WITH AGENDA To: irvinecitycouncil ITEM NO ...... ?..:;_... ).a-_ Subject: Letter of recommendation to The Mayor and all council members. Respectfully to: The Honorable Dr. Steven S. Choi, Ph.D., Mayor, The Honorable Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro-Temp, The Honorable Larry Agran, Council member, The Honorable Beth Krom, Council member, The Honorable Christina Shea, Council member Please see letter in the attachment. Please give this letter a favorable consideration. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Mr. Leslie K. Le (a.k.a. Le Kh~c Ly, Former Colonel, Republic of (South) Vietnam Armed Forces) President (Interim) Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: IN CONNECTION -·------·-···------·------WFFH-AGEN GA------·--·------From: Kimanh Tran [mailto:[email protected] ITEM NO 5 \ Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 1:06AM ...... ::;..;...·.1----- To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Againts sisterhood of Irvine city&Nha Trang city./. 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: l IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Lien Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] li Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 10:37 PM j iTEM NO ...... 5"""". _.\....____ To: irvinecitycouncil '-·------l Subject: We, the citizens oflrvine, object the sister hood between Irvine and Nha Trang Lien Nguyen& April Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sister city Nha Trang concern Attachments: 2014 state depart report.pdf; Letter to council Larry Agran.docx !-··---·-··------llN CONNECTION From: Phu Do Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] 1 VIJITH AGENDA Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014 10:00 PM I :"t€M NO ...... l..~~...--_ To: LarryAgranWeb 5...... ·---~------....1 Subject: Sister city Nha Trang concern see my attached letter: HUMAN RIGHTS FOR VIETNAM PAC 10517 Garden Grove Blvd. Garden Grove, CA 92843 Tel: 714-609-9922 Writer email: [email protected] April4, 2013 The Hon. Larry Agran via email Irvine City Council Member Dear City Council Member Agran: Since 2007, the Vietnam government has brutally cracked down on internet freedom, arresting various bloggers. The most recent report from the state department for 2013 has indicated that Vietnam is still a country with no respect for human rights. I am attaching copy of the most recent report from the state department for your review. (http://www.state.gov/j/drllrls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=20 13&dl id=220244) As a member of the Vietnamese American community, I believe that by having a the city ofNha Trang as sister city with Irvine, where more than 8000 Vietnamese American live would not enhance the city's status but ostracize the Vietnamese American Community from its council's members. Last month, I have attended the periodic review in Geneva held by the United Nations Council for Human Rights regarding Vietnam's human rights condition. Vietnam was severely criticized by many countries on their corruption and brutal crack down of human rights activists. Vietnam's treatment of its citizen was accurately reported by our state department. Should the city of Irvine become a sister city with Nha Trang, we would be sending a signal to Vietnam. In addition, all Vietnamese American \Vho came to the US were political dissidents. We do not wish identify with a country where human rights are severely being abuse. It is not until the Vietnamese government take constructive steps in improving human rights condition, then we can send friendly signal to them. Many Vietnamese American will come to the city council meeting next Tuesday to attend the hearing and voice their opinion. As a friend of our community, we urge you to take constructive steps to vote no in this matter. We must send our message to Vietnam that as American, we value life, liberty and freedom. It is not until the government of Vietnam release all their prisoners of conscience, we will not treat each other as sister or brother. Sincerely, Is/ Phu Do Nguyen Director PS.: We have met during Hoa Tran campaign for supervisor in 2007. I am also the chair person ofOC Vietnamese American Democratic PAC. Please give me a call should you would like to discuss this matter further. My cell phone is 714 392 4731. En c.: Report from US State department 2013 Sincerely, Do Phu & Anh Tuan, PLC Phu D. Nguyen, Tel: 714 5901700 INTERNET CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication and any accompanying documents are confidential information intended only for the use of the person to whom it is addressed. If the reader of this message is not the names recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the named recipient, please notify us immediately that you have received this message in error. Then delete this message and any accompanying documents without copying or reading them. You are hereby notified that any review, disclosure, dissemination, copying distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. Email is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521 and is legally privileged. 2 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: U Bui [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Friday, April 04, 2014·9:43 PM To: info; irvinecitycouncil Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ·------IN CONNECTION ------WIT-H-AGENDA------Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman ITEM No._5.=..;,_. ...~...\ __ CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor ProTem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA Irvine city for the past 38 years (10 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Uyen Bui 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: lrvine/Nha-Trang IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO -=5::;,;··-~~!-- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 11:47 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Irvine/Nha-Trang We, True N. Huynh and Truan Pham and Hugh Huynh, are against the project proposed by Mr. Agran--The government of Nha Trang has violated basic Human Rights, the Right of Free Speech, Freedom or Religion and many more ... They must stop their Dictatorship and embrace Democracy before we engage in helping them. Thank you very much-- Signed. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Thuyen Sui [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 7:44AM To: irvinecitycouncil; info Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal April 6, 2014 \IN CONNECTION WiTH AGENDA ITEM NO. 5- \ Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in the United States for the past 38 years (12 of 38 years in Orange County) . We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City Proposal due to violations of human rights in Vietnam. Sincerely, Paul Bui Share memories with all 1 IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO.---"?._·_\ __ April2, 2014 Honorabler StevenS. Choi, Ph.D, Mayor City of Irvine 1 Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA 92623 RECEIVED U.S. APR 0 7 2014 Dear Honorable Mayor StevenS. Choi, Ph. D.: CITY OF IRVINE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Greetings from City of Baoji, Shaanxi Province, China! On the occasion of this beautiful spring season, I herewith extend our best wishes and sound regards to you. Thanks for the letter dated January 10, 2014 and written by Mr. Larry Agran, councilman of your city, expressing an interest in exploring the possibility of establishing a friendship tie with City of Baoji. Professor Wenshan Jia, a native of Shaanxi Province where City of Baoji is located as well as a City of Irvine resident, managed to visit Baoji City between the end of July and the . beginning of August last year. During his three-day visit, Professor Jia introduced your honorable city to us and presented us your letter indicating that the Chinese community of Irvine hoped that Irvine would establish friendship ties with City of Baoji. We therefore feel honored for this, and we are deeply impressed by the overall quality your city in areas such as education, environment, healthcare service, urban planning, and the diversified cultures and so on. Baoji is the second biggest city in Shaanxi Province, located at the western part of the Guanzhong Plain, covering an area of 18.2 thousand square kilometers with a population of 3.7 million. Baoji possesses a long and legendary history, abundant cultural heritage. It is the Hometown of Emperor Yandi---one of the two founders of Chinese Civilizations, the Birthplace of Zhou and Qin Dynasties, a Shrine where the Buddhist relics is worshipped, the Kingdom of Bronze-ware, the Homeland of Folk Arts and Crafts, and Baoji is one of the Best Tourist Destination Cities in China and ranks among Top 100 Overall Strength Cities in China. Baoji has an advantageous ecological environment and has won the title of National Quality Environment City, and the Award of China Human Habitat. Baoji possesses sound geographical features and communication advantages, solid and powerful industrial power. We believe that there are abundant potential for exchanges between our two sides in the fields of culture and education, tourism and environment protection, personnel training, healthcare service and business cooperation. It is helpful for the promotion of the overall social and economic development of our two sides to set up the platform for international exchange, implement the exchange projects, and to carry out mutual beneficial exchanges and cooperation. Therefore, we do hope to promote the friendly ties with your city, and sincerely look forward to getting your support. Best wishes to your health! Best wishes to City of Irvine! With Best Regards, Mayor Baoji Municipal People's Government F9, Building 1, Baoji Administration Center Baoji City, Shaanxi Province 721001 P.R. China Tel: +86-917-3261290 E-mail: [email protected] ------~-- ~------,--. ...... ~~~-=--~.;.,..;·~:"";~~~!.>.~~·~=..,;:;.~~;-:~~'{·-· ~~-;_'ocd::;~;,:i;! - ...... ;;,;. _.. Honorable Mil)'Or StevenS. Ch<;~l,. Ph.D,.: qty of lrvin~ l Civi~ C(tnltrr 'l)ll)l~"l · Irvine; CA 926~3, U. S. ~tt.iiEr~g't~li~IJm;H!}f\,fk~-i'ITTii:l~ Ste-venS. Choi :*-~E:. 1f!;~~t l :ffi!~~Y.tMJ~I:I!it:.::J~ ~ .·~·~~~J9\:~!t1&;*::rJ';;9~!£f~!il\¥! r~ ~~f' lr!J·f!~~ ~~~ 7 ·H ~~.31 8 f~ tlJi. ~l?iU1J~JJ~[J1f~p P1JttltJt:gt: C$~111J}.H;~) · XTif£rlT:iitqfJ :.y., WJ.~JI~Jt~.~-~~jJ) lr~··~- :ID~l!'(J~JrnJ ~ ~Y~¥~f]!f:{t71•J IMJ :t~rLrffii 1 .~¥:ft1 11'-t~fT j;:;t il1; ~ 1-1' ~!n:~~. ·1 ' ~;ftiiT~tif~t1-f:·IJl. . . -. r. .. t1_. ~· !~~U~~M~mll:i&. . : FHi l~i~·&:. ~f N>-ctj·~~j~(jf..t f'fl!· .. xi~> t.'l- . .:r:f~·fi.. 'i;:y't"~f~-~A~li'~;._ .~'.:q1J'r",:"l"l···n·J~-.·.t't:~::l~!"·h. ,i/,1·(·.. ~~tl ~" I :.; -=- •6 - ,J 1 '~~ ~~ .J~f?-:'~~··.. i!i'•o•.~)C. '!),, J )~~' 1 ::Jlj:.:.i~~\1*~"'\ 'f!A;Fc·~1 i· I ~i~11i'~l~tmra-~· ~j(::futrtr~- iiti'~~-r.p~ft.J;i·iilifHL >ffrf.:fl~ 1. 82 ri Jfl.1J i~ Mt J'-·lJ 373.. 7 75 ~ ::iixf~J3J5J~J<.>f.tf~9\ ... Jt 1t.I~\1 t:a.~~P~l~ 1;r1-1· . . I I I, u:% Wt&-=ql·, fta4.{~ l~il!JJ.~~1Htk, f~l~·r:hl~Jth .., ;N·t1~~6Z.J;~, L~ rrrJ:rz;$1~ 1 1 ~~t~' : . r.tfJ;k, ifr_ ~ ;fJ''iF 1It11t~ 1i& t~t;rl~a:tr;lEP 1~ .mtl:h.'r.ii~ $~ q~;t~r"PT ~in~:itl o fn.. ~t,r~;Jl:.:&JiJ~t;~:ih: #~. ;~ ~- i)~f111 i~£,;;~~ ~t·r~;. ~~~ 7' /<:1:1.~1~~ J_ikRi ~ ·D'i1~1~ - . .~f$1m r ::;rm·;r~l~r·.~JP~! .... . .• . 1rt~~.riT -A rr%ifJO,iJ~Ju. ·~ · 1,~-"i2I ~':fi-· · ..... ·,_ ·=.· c· ~:'.I ill 1:11ILQ )7J :;,.: 13 / .· .. · ~ ______...... ·· . - - Valarie Burlin arne Subject: FW: Vote NO to City Hood IRVINE & NHA TARNG IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. S· \ From: Phuoc Luong [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 4:58PM To: info Subject: Vote NO to City Hood IRVINE & NHA TARNG My name is Phuoc Luong and phone number is 714-906-9193, I DO NOT SUPPORT CITY HOOD of IRVINE & NHA TRANG which w'll be voted IN YOUR MEETING on Tuesday 4/8/2014 Thanh you for your vote NO on City hood Irvine & NhaTrang for the reasons which our elected officers and Jane Nguyen, our Supervisor reported to you yesterday Thanks again Phuoc Luong 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: No Vietnamese Communist flag in our city IN CONNtCTION -----Original Message----- WITH AGENDA From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]) ITEM NO. 6· \ Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 2:03PM To: em Subject: No Vietnamese Communist flag in our city Dear Mr. City Manager: My name is Hanh Nguyen. I'm an Irvine resident and I enjoy living in this beautiful city. I believe it is NOT acceptable for our city to display the Vietnamese Communist flag if we'd become a sister city with one of their cities; or any communist flags. I hope in your considerations by voting NO. Kind regards, Hanh Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sent From: City of Irvine Website - Larry Agran ( http://www.ci.irvi ne.ca.us/cou ncil/bios/la rry _agra n.asp ) IN CONN~CiiON WITH AGENDA -----Original Message----- ITEM NO. :5' I From: Dtonthat [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 1:37 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Sent From: City of Irvine Website- Larry Agran ( http://www.ci.irvine.ca.us/council/bios/larry agran.asp) Dear Irvine council members, My name is Di Tonthat and my family is Irvine residents since 1984. Beside horrible human rights records from the Vietnamese communist, I urgently asking you not to approve for Friendship City with Nha Trang city in Vietnam for these following reasons: 1) Irvine businesses will be hurting if our residents spend money outside of our city, there will be no tourists to Irvine from Nha Trang. 2) Poor local Nha Trang residents will be driven out of their homes due to big resorts businesses, huge rising real estate cost and living cost will hurt them. 3) Create opportunities for Nha Trang officials to collect bribery from tourist resort activities to enhance their fortunes. For cultural exchange with Vietnamese people, please visit local city of Westminster or Garden Grove. For humanity reason, please vote no for the Nha Trang City Friendship. From the bottom of our hearts, my family will thank you. Sincerely yours, Di Tonthat Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of INine City & Nha Trang City Proposal From: Danny Bui [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 2:11PM To: irvinecitycouncil IN CONNECTION Cc: info WITH AGENDA Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ITEM NO. ,;. \ Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in Orange County, CA for the past 38. years (10 of 38 years in Irvine City). We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Danny Bui Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Oppose Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ------·-·----·------·---·---·------·------·-···----·------·------·-----··-··------·--· From: Tam Le [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 3:33PM To: irvinecitycouncil IN CONN~CTION Cc: info WITH AGENDA Subject: Oppose Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal ITEM NO. .;.1 Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. StevenS. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember I am a Vietnamese American, _I h{!ve been living in Orange County, CA for the past 25 years, the last 10 years in Irvine. I strongly oppose the Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal due to Nha Trang city government grossly violates human right and practices corruption. Respectfully, Minh Tam Le Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: To protest the Proposal of Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City (VietNam) -··------·------·-··--· ···------··-·-- -- From: Tang [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 3:37PM IN CONNECTION To: irvinecitycouncil WITH AGENDA Subject: To protest the Proposal of Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City (VietNam) ITEMNO. 5-\ Dear Irvine City Councilors, I am a Vietnamese American living in Irvine. I have lived here for 33 years. I would like you all to reconsider "the Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal". I strictly dislike and oppose it. Thank you very much for your kind consideration on such a delicate issue. Sincerely, TNN Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: My concerning the friendship City of Irvine & Nha Trang, Vietnam From: Diane nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] IN CONNECTION Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 5:15PM WITH AGENDA To: info Subject: My concerning the friendship City of Irvine & Nha Trang, Vietnam ITEM N0._5t...·-'-- Hello, My name is Dung Nguyen and phone number is 949-587-1374, I'm very concerning the friendship City of Irvine & Nha Trang, Vietnam which w'll be voted IN YOUR MEETING on Tuesday 4/8/2014 Please vote NO on City hood Irvine & NhaTrang for the reasons which our elected officers including Janet Nguyen, Suppervisor, have reported to you yesterday 4/6/2014 Thank you all Dung Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Friendship Vietnam IN CONNECTION -----Original Message----- WITH AGENDA From: jamie edison [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO._SL-·~1 __ Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 5:26 PM To: info Subject: Friendship Vietnam Hello Pam Sent from my iPhone ,Could you please share this email with City Council, that we are against the proposal of you're city having a friendship relation with Nha Trang Vietnam because Vietnam is not free country, it is ruled by China. Don't fore get of Millions of lives lost in the war which include Americas, Vietnamese and Canadians who also help light the war, the prisoners who also died and the ones still in prison .This is not right what u're city is trying to do, wait until Vietnam is fully free before you do this . Thank you Jamie Edison and family Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: november election IN CONNECTION -----Original Message----- WITH AGENDA From: Alex Campbello [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO. -5 · \ Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 5:52 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: november election we are the voters in the coming and future elections. Nhatrang citizens do NOT go to CA booths in these elections. We remember you. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against sisterhood of Irvine and Nhatrang. IN CONNECTION From: QUE CHAU [mailto:[email protected]] WITH AGENDA Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 7:05 PM To: irvinecitycouncil ITEM NQ.___;;0_·_\-- Subject: Against sisterhood of Irvine and Nhatrang. Dear Councilman, On behalf of our entire family and Friends. We are strongly against the proposal for the Sisterhood oflrvine City, California USA with Nhatrang city, Vietnam due to the fact that Human rights in VietNam under the current govennent still having a hugh problems. Please vote : NO. Sincerely, Bryan Chau 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: NO SISTERHOOD From: Thao Tran [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 7:55 PM I To: info; irvinecitycouncil IN CONNECTION Subject: NO SISTERHOOD WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. 5· \ Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans strongly against the Sisterhood of Irvine City and Nha Trang City Proposal. We have been living in the City of Irvine for more than 13 years and in Orange County for 34 years. Vietnamese Communists continue to violate human rights and freedom. We absolutely do not accept this relationship. Sincerely, Thao Tran Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Chong doi viec ket nghia voi thanh pho Nha Trang -----Original Message----- IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Oanh [mailto:orlanda [email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 8:54 PM ITEM NO. -J· \ To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Chong doi viec ket nghia voi thanh pho Nha Trang Gia dinh chung toi nhan danh"nguoi Viet tynan cong san" xin gui toi lrvinecitycouncil y kien cua chung toi do Ia :Chung toi nhiet liet chong doi viec ket nghia voi thanh pho Nha Trang VietNam vi cong san Vietnam da cha dap nhan quyen cua dan chung VietNam No relationship with NhaTrang Sent from my iPad Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Nha Trang's case with Irvine IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. -) · \ From: Linda Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 8:53PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Nha Trang's case with Irvine I am against the Communist Vietnamese forming friendship ties with the city of Irvine. My family and I went through many hardships to flee to America to achieve freedom in the United States. Linda Nguyen 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Protest the propose of NhaTrang-Irvine? Sisters IN CONNECTION -----Origi na I Message----- WITH AGENDA From: Hoa Dang [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO. ~-\ Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 9:14 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Cc: KimberlyDang nguyen; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Protest the propose of NhaTrang-lrvine? Sisters Dear Irvine council members, We are the Southern Vietnamese-American people extremely to protest about the suggestion to establish the sister's relationship between NhaTrang-lrvine because of the violations seriously about human rights in Vietnam. Thank you for your supports in our request. Kathy Pham Sent from my iPad Valarie Burlingame ' Subject: FW: Offense to the Vietnamese-Americans. IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. l-\ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected] On Behalf Of Jubilee Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 9:39 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Offense to the Vietnamese-Americans. This issue of the city ofNha Trang forming partnerships with Irvine is a big deal, and a big issue for the Vietnamese-Americans who fled Vietnam in search for a sanctuary from the Communist Vietnam and the Cong Sang's (Communists) policies. We the people ofNationalist Vietnam (the Vietnamese-Americans residing in OC) did not escape our motherland for no reason; we sought the freedom provided by America. The partnership of the place we escaped from (Vietnam) with Irvine brings our ancestors' and families' efforts--with blood, sweat, and tears--tO. naught. Being part of the Vietnamese-American community residing in Orange County, CA, I strongly speak against this friendship between the two cities. My family suffered; we even lost two family members who fled in a different boat (it was those small wooden boats). I may not be able to attend the ICC meeting on Tuesday, but I hope that the Irvine City Council (the people who still try to vouch for this friendship between Nha Trang and Irvine, even after all the controversy and protests about it) opens their eyes and puts a stop to this unreasonable enactment. Thank you for taking the time to read this email ~J. Pham Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: PLEASE WITHDRAW THE CONSIDERATION OF THE CITY OF NHATRANG AS A FRIENDSHIP CITY OF THE CITY OF IRVINE. IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Trieu Hoang [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 11:23 PM ITEM NO. 5· \ To: irvinecitycouncil Cc: Trieu Hoang Subject: Fw: PLEASE WITHDRAW THE CONSIDERATION OF THE CITY OF NHATRANG AS A FRIENDSHIP CITY OF THE CITY OF IRVINE. Anh Ly From: GSV Janet Nguyen ' , C~p nh~t: Nghj vien Irvine d\f djnh rut de nghj ket nghia gifra Irvine va Nha Trang Dlf tljnh cua ong xay ra sau khi Giam Sat Vien Janet Nguyin trifll t~p cure hrp v6'i cdc nghj vien Irvine hom Chu Nh~t (Santa Ana) Trong m(}t bu·c thU' goi ra chi~u Thu· Hai, Ngh! Vien Irvine Larry Agran cho bi~t ong dl}' djnh rUt ten thanh phfi Nha Trang khoi danh sach cac thanh phfi, rna H(}i Dfing Thanh Phfi Irvine se xem xet thi~t l~p vi~c k~t nghia. Btrc thu· du·Q'C du·a ra m(}t ngay s~m khi Giam Sat Vien Janet Nguy~n tri~u t~p m{)t bu6i hQp, v6i Ph6 Th! Tru·o·ng Jeff Lalloway va Ngh! Vien Christina Shea hom Chu Nh~t. T~i bu6i hQp nay, ca hai vi dan cir d~u cong khai cho bi~t, hQ se khong ung h{) k~t nghia v6i Nha Trang. "Trong su6t CUQC hQp cua toi v6i Ph6 Th! TrU'o·ng Jeff Lalloway va Ngh! VH~n Christina Shea, ca hai d~u n6i ro, hQ se khong ung h{) thi~t l~p vi~c k~t nghia v6i m{)t thanh phfi co vfin d~ vo·i tinh tr~ng nhan quy~n va buon ban tre em," Ghim Sat Vien Janet Nguy~n noi. "Di~u nay go·i m{)t thong di~p dt ml;}nh me to·i Nghj Vien Larry Agran, lien quan d~n d~ nghj cua ong, bao gBm k~t nghia voi Nha Trang. Toi dt hai long Ut Nghj Vien Agran da co dl}· djnh di~u chinh d~ ngh! CUa on g. II B(rc thu cua Ngh! Vien Larry Agran dl}· djnh lfiy ten thanh phfi Nha Trang ra khoi ngh! trinh hQp duQ·c goi cho th! tru·img, cac ngh! vien, va t6ng qufm trj thfmh phfi Irvine. Trong bu·c thu nay, Nghj Vien Larry Agran cho bi~t mu6n di~u chinh ll;li d~ ngh! cua ong, vi Vl} thfmh ph6 Nha Trang. Tuy nhien, theo chung toi hi~u, phai co 3 phi~u trong H{)i DBng Thanh Phfi d~ di~u chinh d~ nghj nay, ho~c d6i ngay cho d~ nghj. Vi th~, Ngh! Vien Larry Agran dn phai co them phi~u ling h{) vao bufii hQp Thu· Ba, d~ co th~ lfiy ten Nha Trang ra. Tuy nhien, Ngh! Vien Larry Agran vfin mu6n d~ nguyen ten hai fhanh ph6 Baoji cua Trung Qufic va Karachi cua Pakistan trong d~ nghj k~t nghia voi Irvine. Phan d6i cua Giam Sat Vien Janet Nguy~n dfii voi Irvine trong chuy~n k~t nghia voi Nha Trang o· Vi~t Nam Ia vi nha dm quy~n thanh phfi vfin con co nhi~u vfin d~ voi nhan quy~n, buon ngu·oi, va vi phl;lm lao d{)ng tre em. K~ til: khi bi~t d~ nghj cua Ngh! Vien Larry Agran, Giam Sat Vien Janet Nguy~n da co nhfi·ng n6 ll}·c th~ng th~n chfing ll;li vi~c k~t nghia nay, b~ng each keu gQi H{)i DBng Thanh Ph6 Irvine cu·u xet ll;li, va sau do da g~p hai thanh vien H{)i DBng Thanh Phfi Irvine cimg vo·i ho·n 20 nguoi My gfic Vi~t, bao gBm lanh dl;lo tOn giao, c{)ng dAng, va doanh nghi~p, d~ bay to sv· phan d6i. "La m{)t nguoi Io·n len trong m{)t gia dinh rOi Vi~t Nam di tim tl}· do, toi cam thfiy day Ia trach nhi~m cua chung ta, giong len ti~ng noi bao v~ nhan quy~n cho tfit ca mQi nguoi," Giam Sat Vien Janet Nguy~n noi. "Thi~t l~p sl}· k~t nghia gifi·a thanh phfi Irvine va thanh phfi Nha Trang se Ia m{)t sl}· xuc phl;lm d6i v6i c{)ng dBng Vi~t Nam tl;}i Qu~n Cam va nhfi·ng gia tr! n~n tang cua Hoa Ky.' II M~c du Nghj Vien Larry Agran dv· djnh rut ten Nha Trang ra khoi d~ nghj k~t n~hia voi Irvine,, Giam Sat. Vien Janet ~guy~n v§n se co m~t tl;li bu6i ~QP H{)i Dong Thanh Pho Irvine, de bao dam rang ten Nha Trang phai du(.Yc lay ra khoi ngh! trinh hQp. Giam Sat Vien Janet Nguy~n khuy~n khich mQi nguo·i quan tiim vfin d~ nay d~n tham dlJ bu6i hQp H{)i DBng Thanh Phfi Irvine, vao luc 4 gier chi~u Thfr Ba, 8 Thang Tu nam 2014, tl;li dja chi 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606-5207 (goc Alton va Harvard). Nhfi·ng ai khong th~ tham dv· duQ·c co th~ email y ki~n cua minh d~n H{)i Dang Thanh Ph6 Irvine qua dja chi [email protected], ho~c bay toy ki~n cua minh qua s6 di~n thol;li (949) 724-6233. ### 2 Giam Sat Vien Janet Nguyin Ia chit tjch H{ji Dbng Ghim Sat Qu~n Cam niim 2010, vii ilfli di?n Dja H{lt 1. Bit cung Ia c/ul tjch Uy Ban Giao Thong Cong C{jng, pho c/ul tjch Uy Ban Thong Tin vii L~p Phap, va thanh vien Uy Ban DiJu Hanh, thu{jc Cu Quan Giao Thong Qu(ln Cam (OCTA). Ba hi?n Ia thimh vien H{ji Dbng Quiin Trj Ca/Optima. Gitim Sat Vien Janet Nguyin il(li di?n hun 600,000 cu dun tlzu{jc cdc thanh phB Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster vii klw V{l"C Midway City. Qu~n Cam ilu(fc xip h{lng Ia qu~n hfll dong dun thir 6 t{li Hoa Ky vii co ngun sach hang niim f(rn hang thz'r 7 toan quBc. SUPERVISOR JANET NGUYEN • FIRST DISTRICT Update: Irvine Councilman expresses Intent to back down on establishing relationship between City of Irvine and City of Nha Trang His decision followed a meeting that Supervisor Janet Nguyen convened on Sunday with Irvine City officials (Santa Ana) In a memo released on Monday afternoon, Irvine City Councilman Larry Agran expressed his intent to withdraw the City ofNha Trang in Vietnam from the list of cities that will be considered by the Irvine City Council to establish a "Friendship City" relationship. The memo was released following a meeting that Supervisor Janet Nguyen convened with Irvine Mayor Pro Tern Jeff Lalloway and Irvine Councilwoman Christina Shea on Sunday afternoon, where both Irvine officials openly expressed that they would not be supporting any relationship with the City ofNha Trang. "During my meeting yesterday with Mayor Pro Tern Lalloway and Councilwoman Christina Shea they were both clear in their stance not to support the establishment of a relationship with any city where human rights and trafficking of children is an issue," said Supervisor Nguyen. "This sent a strong message to Councilman Agnin regarding his proposal to include the City ofNha Trang as a 'Friendship City' and I am pleased that Councilman Agran has expressed his intent to modify the item." Councilman Agran's memo expressing his intent to remove the City ofNha Trang from consideration as a "Friendship City" was addressed to the City of Irvine Mayor, Councilmembers and the City Manager on Monday afternoon. In it, Councilman Agran cited the expressed concerns regarding the City ofNha Trang in 3 Vietnam as the reason for amending his motion. However, it is our understanding that the City of Irvine requires 3 members to approve any modification or change to an item on the date of the meeting. Therefore, Councilman Agran would need support to remove the City of Nha Trang from consideration during Tuesday's Irvine City Council meeting. Councilman Agran will also move forward with the introduction of the cities of Baoj i, China and Karachi, Pakistan for the Friendship City Program. Supervisor Nguyen's opposition for the City oflrvine to establish a relationship with the City ofNha Trang in Vietnam was based on the City ofNha Trang's human rights, human trafficking and child labor violations. Since learning of Councilman Agran's proposai, Supervisor Nguyen spearheaded efforts against the establishment of this relationship by appealing to the Irvine City Council and subsequently meeting with Irvine City officials and over 20 prominent Vietnamese-American community and business leaders. "As someone whose family fled Vietnam in search for freedom, I feel an obligation to this nation to take a stand for the basic human rights of all individuals," said Supervisor Nguyen. "The establishment of a r~lationship between the City of Irvine and the City ofNha Trang would be an insult to the Vietnamese-American community of Orange County and to the very tenets on which this nation is founded on." Despite Councilman Agran's intent to withdraw the City ofNha Trang from consideration as a "Friendship City," Supervisor Janet Nguyen still plans to attend the Irvine City Council meeting to ensure that the City ofNha Trang is effectively removed from the agenda, Supervisor Nguyen is encouraging public members who may want to relay their concerns to attend the Irvine City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 4 p.m. (1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606-5207-corner ofAlton and Harvard). Those unable to attend the meeting should send an email to the Irvine City Council at [email protected] or call the City oflrvine to voice their opinions at (949) 724-6233. ### Supervisor Janet Nguyen served as Chair of the Orange County Board ofSupervisors in 20 I 0, and represents the First District. She also serves as Chair ofthe Orange County Transportation Authority's Transit Committee, Vice Chair ofthe Legislation and Communications Committee and member ofthe Executive Committee. She represents more than 600,000 people, covering the Cities of Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster and the unincorporated community of Midway City. Orange County ranks sixth in the nation as the most populous county and has the nation's seventh highest annual budget 4 Forward this email :BfSafuUnsubsaibe· Tty It FREE toduy. This email was sent to [email protected] by [email protected] I Update Profile/Email Address 1 Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribeTM i Privacy Policy. · Janet Nguyen I 12866 Main Street, Suite 202 1 Garden Grove I CA I 92840 \:V\.vw.TNCVOnline.com or www.thanhniencovangonline.com Have a good day! Reply via we~,post · Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Chinh Nghia tl/ c6 tinh thuyet pht,Jc - Nh€m Nghia tl/ c6 tinh cam h6a www.chinhnqhia.com http: 1/chinhnghiaviet.informe.com/forum/ song Song tui lam chi dung ch~t troi Song nhin the gioi ho chang ai Song lam no I~ cho ngu'oi khien Song ch!u ngu si de chung cu'oi Song tu'ong cong danh, khong tu'ong nu'oc Song lo phu quy chang lo doi, Song ma nhu' the dung nen song ! Song tui lam chi dung ch~t troi? · VISIT YOUR GROUP YAHOO! GROUPS • Privacy· Unsubscribe· Terms of Use 5 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Reasons for lNine City not to associated with Nha Trang City From: Steve Phan [mailto:[email protected] IN CONNECTION Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 12:19 AM WITH AGENDA To: irvinecitycouncil ITEMNO. 2·1 Subject: Reasons for Irvine City not to associated with Nha Trang City · Honorable Council, The Nha Trang leadership strangles the basic Human Rights and Religious Freedom. It participate in the women and children traffiquing. It a corrupt government. We would not want the City oflrvine associates with such atrocities. Respectfully 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Chong doi viec ket nghia voi Nha Trang va Irvine IN CONNECTION -----Original Message----- WITH AGENDA From: Hoa K Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO. S- \ Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 7:05AM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: Chong doi viec ket nghia voi Nha Trang va Irvine Toi Ia nguoi VN co nguoi than bi tu cai tao sau khi Mien Nam bi mat, tung phai song duoi che doCS, AMERCA Ia que huang thu hai cua tat ca nguoi Vietti nan CS, khong chap nhan bat cu su lien he nao duoi moi hinh thuc cua CSVN. Hoa Nguyen Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Friendship City Irvine - Nba Trang IN CONNECTION -----Original Message----- WITH AGENDA From: Ann Tran [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO. S·l Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 11:43 PM To: info Subject: Friendship City Irvine- Nha Trang Hello, I am very disappointed about the proposal of friendship city Irvine with Nha Trang, Vietnam. I escaped Vietnam because of Vietnamese communist government. I settled down in OCand I am very proud of the flag of the South Vietnam. The friendship city with Nha Trang is very painful and hurt deeply Vietnamese community in OC and all over the world. Best regards, Ann Tran Sent from my iPhone Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Opposition to proposal of establishing twin-sister cities status between Irvine & Nha Trang IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. 5· \ ------·------~------1 From: ben vo [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 11:17 PM To: info Subject: Opposition to proposal of establishing twin-sister cities status between Irvine & Nha Trang To the city of Irvine, I want to voice my concerns and strongly oppose the proposal of establishing twin-sister cities status between the city oflrvine, CA and the city ofNha Trang, VN. Myself, a Vietnamese refugee, back in 1980, escaping by boat to get away from the cruel, ruthless regime imposed by the Communist party, has come to settle down here in Orange County, CA. From my own experiences living under the Vietnamese communist regime for a long time, I want to point out that the city of Nha Trang is ruled by the fascist, communist party officials, under a government that still constantly control, oppress, terrorize, and imprison its own people if anyone dare to speak up in regards to having basic human rights. As a Vietnamese living in exile because the oppressive Communist regime still exist in VietNam, I detest and do not want to see any Vietnamese communist officials showing up in Irvine or near my Vietnamese community here in Orange County. Ben Yo Orange County, CA USA 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal IN CONNECTION From: hang truong [mailto:thanhhang [email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 6:44PM To: info ITEM NO. S·~ Subject: Against Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal Dear Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman CC: Dr. Steven S. Choi, Mayor Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tem Beth Krom, Councilmember Christina Shea, Councilmember We are the Vietnamese Americans, we have been living in USA for the past 20 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City Proposal. Sincerely, Thanh hang Truong. 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sent From: City of Irvine Website - Contact Us ( http://www.cityofi rvine.org/contactus/default.asp ) IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Hoang Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO. '5. \ Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 3:49AM To: info Subject: Sent From: City of Irvine Website- Contact Us ( http://www.cityofirvine.org/contactus/default.asp) Dear Sir/Madam, On behalf of my fellows, the natives ofNhaTrang City, we would like to forward to you our appreciation regarding your decision of suspension to make Nhatrang City as one of your sister cities. As you know, as people from Nhatrang, we should have welcome your offer. You might wonder why we, all of us in America, acted in the opposite direction? NhaTrang, as any city in the whole of Vietnam now falls under the dictatorship of the Vietnamese communist party. Under its rule, even the government of Vietnam is under its control, nobody has any rights whatsoever except the right to applause their ideas. Anyone one who errs from this line is subject to police arrest and imprisonment. God knows how many of the arrest survive through police interrogation? You probably heard of the terms of suicide committing in the police stations when they return the corpses of the arrested to their families! And God Knows how the judges handle their judgments. All the sentences have been decided beforehand by the communist party!!! They arrest even those young people whose only crime is to oppose the unlawful occupation of the Paracel and spratly Islands by the Chinese. There are also innumerable atrocities committed by the Communist party against its people, which we could not list here. Once more, we greatly thank you for your bright decision. For all the refugees in Nashvi_lle and especially those from Nhatrang City of which our family belong Nashville, TN., 4/8/2014 Hoang Nguyen President of the Vietnamese American Community ofNashville, TN Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Irvine/NhaTrang pending sisterhood IN CONNECTION -----Origi na I Message----- WITH AGENDA From: Hongbaba [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO. S· \ Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 8:15PM To: info Subject: lrvine/NhaTrang pending sisterhood Please vote NO on this issue. Thank you! Sent from my iPad 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: City Hood IRVINE & NHA TARNG IN CONN.ECTION From: lan le [mailto:gle [email protected] IWITH AGENDA Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 11:13 PM ;TEM NO __'/~:-·.J...\ -- To: info Subject: City Hood IRVINE & NHA TARNG My name is Lan Le and phone number is 949-262-0151, I am live in city Irvine over 30yrs I DO NOT SUPPORT CITY HOOD of IRVINE & NHA TRANG which w'll be voted IN YOUR MEETING on Tuesday 4/8/2014 Thanh you for your vote NO on City hood Irvine & NhaTrang for the reasons which our elected officers and Jane Nguyen, our Supervisor reported to you yesterday Best Regards Lan Le 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sister Hood Irvine & Nhatrang IN CONN,ECTION From: PhamDinhSan [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 12:19 AM ITEM NO. 5· \ To: info Subject: Sister Hood Irvine & Nhatrang Dear Mrs Pamela Baird Council Services Manager City Manager's Office City of Irvine As a US citizen who does not adopt the communism, I urge you to vote "NO" against the proposal of CITYHOOD between Irvine (CA) and Nhatrang (VN). Your support in this matter will be greatly appreciated by the Vietnamese American community in Orange County and nation wide. Respectfully, San D. Pham 817 Amberwood Drive Santa Ana, Ca 92703 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Nha Trang isue IN CONNECTION -----Original Message----- WITH AGENDA From: Son Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]) ITEM NO. '5· \ Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 7:56AM To: LarryAgranWeb Cc: [email protected] Subject: Nha Trang isue My name is Son Nguyen, my family lived in Orange County. My family and some of my friends have plan take a day off or leave job early and go to City Hall of Irvine about 4:00PM today to protest your propose "Irvine and Nha Trang wedding" However, this morning the rumor ciculation in Vietnamese community state: You did cancel this propose. If this is true, please have press release send to all Vietnamese radio stations and news paper ASAP, this action will save a lot of time and money for everyone because I know some group from San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, etc. will come to protest your propose. Hopefully you understand for all 58,000 American family have relative die in Vietnam war and a milion Boat people still suffer because communist take over out country and the main reason is: "Viet-Nam still have no FREEDOM" Thanks Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Letter of Taxpayers to Mr. Mayor Choi,Councilmembers+Document Violations of defense rights of the VN Government +Photos in Attach. Attachments: Jeff Lalloway and Christina Shea .jpg; Steven Choi Mayor of Irvine .jpg; IrvineOpposeTolarryAgranDanhletter to Mayor+Councilmembers .doc; Violations(forPrint)OfDefenseRightsof VNGovernment.doc IN CONNECTION -----·------WIIH.AGE.~OA ______From: danh tran [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO. 5· \ Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 8:15AM To: irvinecitycouncil Cc: Larry Agran Subject: Letter of Taxpayers to Mr. Mayor Choi,Councilmembers+Document Violations of defense rights of the VN Government +Photos in Attach. To Mr. Mayor Choi and Councilmembers especially Jeffrey Lalloway,Mayor Protem , Beth Krom, City Councilmember and Christina Shea, Councilmember. To : [email protected] Cc : [email protected] My name is Danh Thi Tran Bui, I reside in the city of Irvine. I am one of millions of the Vietnamese people who oppose the regime of Hanoi. They have been arrested and detained thousand of the people, whom peacefully assembled to oppose the invasion of China in Northern Province and Paracel islands in Vietnam. Further more, they house arrested many religious leaders whom being accused of having illegal political practices. These are the basic human rights that we endear in our First Amendment: Freedom of religion, abridge the freedom of speech. I and my Friends express the voice of 8,000 Vietnames-e American Voters in the city of Irvine and nearly 200,000 Vietnamese American Taxpayers in Orange County. We strongly disagree the proposition of Mr. Larry Agran, only one councilman making an offer befriend with this dictatorship regime. We urge Mr. ·Mayor Choi and City Councilmen to deny the partitions of "Friendship between Nha Trang and the city of Irvine" until the basic human rights are met. In conclusion, we urge Mr. Mayor Choi and City Councilmen to scrutinize any propositions from the Communist government in Vietnam. Do not Listen to what they say, Judge them by their actions.(See Photos in Attach.) 1 Sincerely, April2014. Danh Thi Tran B ui Email: [email protected] Violations of essential defense rights of the Vietnam Government January 5, 2012 By: International Observatory o{Lawyers ( http://www.democracyforvietnam.net ). During the sixty-first session of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the United Nations body found the government of Vietnam to be in violation of its international obligations by arbitrarily detaining seven democracy and land rights activists and denying them the right to a fair trial. The Working Group highlighted several violations of essential defense rights, such as the right for a defendant to meet and communicate with his or her lawyer before trial, or lawyers' rights to have access to a copy of the indicttnent before trial. The Working Group also noted that Huynh Van Dong's expulsion from the Courtroom, where he was representing two of the defendants, was in breach of article 14 ICCPR. The International Observatory for Lawyers applauds this decision of a major United Nations Human Rights treaty body, which reaffirms essential defense rights, including lawyers' rights to fulfill their professional duties in all independence and without any hindrance or interference from external sources, as stated in the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. The International Observatory for Lawyers, which monitors the case of Mr. Dong and supports him, wishes to recall that subsequently to the aforementioned trial, Mr. Dong was arbitrarily and unfairly disbarred from the Ben Tre Bar Association, at the request of the People's Court of Ben Tre Province. The Bar Association accused Mr. Dong of taking advantage of his lawyer activities in order to infringe upon the interests of the state. The Observatory expressed its great concern concernitig this decision, against which Mr. Dong has been refused any legal recourse to this day. Furthermore, since the disbarment, Mr. Dong's freedmn of movement has been restricted and his family has been harassed and interrogated. The International Observatory for Lawyers therefore urges Vietnamese authorities to fully comply with the decision issued by the Working Group, and calls on the Ben Tre Bar Association to reconsider its refusal to offer Mr. Dong a legal recourse against its 2 decision to disbar him. The Government of Vietnam tnust at all times respect the rule of law and grant its citizens due process and the right to a fair trial. Finally, the Observatory also calls on all Bar Associations, Lawyers' Organisations, Hmnan Rights organizations and individuals to continue to support Mr. Dong and other Vietnamese human rights lawyers who are being threatened and persecuted because of their professional activities. United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Decision No. 46-2011 Collection by DANH-B Ul,American Taxpayer of City of Irvine danhcomputerco//[email protected] 3 Violations of essential defense rights of the Vietnam Government January 5, 2012 By: [nternational Observatory ofLawyers ( http://www .democracyforvietnam.net ). During the sixty-first session of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the United Nations body found the government of Vietnam to be in violation of its international obligations by arbitrarily detaining seven democracy and land rights activists and denying them the right to a fair trial. The Working Group highlighted several violations of essential defense rights, such as the right for a defendant to meet and communicate with his or her lawyer before trial, or lawyers' rights to have access to a copy of the indictlnent before trial. The Working Group also noted that Huynh Van Dong's expulsion fro1n the Courtroon1, where he was representing two of the defendants, was in breach of article 14 ICCPR. The International Observatory for Lawyers applauds this decision of a n1ajor United Nations Human Rights treaty body, which reaffirn1s essential defense rights, including lawyers' rights to fulfill their professional duties in all independence and without any hindrance or interference from external sources, as stated in the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. The International Observatory for Lawyers, which monitors the case of Mr. Dong and supports hin1, wishes to recall that subsequently to the aforementioned trial, Mr. Dong was arbitrarily and unfairly disbarred fro1n the Ben Tre Bar Association, at the request of the People's Court of Ben Tre Province. The Bar Association accused Mr. Dong of taking advantage of his lawyer activities in order to infringe upon the interests of the state. The Observatory expressed its great concern concerning this decision, against which Mr. Dong has been refused any legal recourse to this day. Furthermore, since the disbannent, Mr. Dong's freedom ofmoven1ent has been restricted and his fatnily has been harassed and interrogated. The International Observatory for Lawyers therefore urges Vietnamese authorities to fully comply with the decision issued by the Working Group, and calls on the Ben Tre Bar Association to reconsider its refusal to offer Mr. Dong a legal recourse against its decision to disbar hin1. The Government of Vietnan1 n1ust at all times respect the rule of law and grant its citizens due process and the right to a fair trial. Finally, the Observatory also calls on all Bar Associations, Lawyers' Organisations, Human Rights organizations and individuals to continue to support Mr. Dong and other , Vietnatnese hutnan rights lawyers who are being threatened and persecuted because of their professional activities. United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Decision No. 46-2011. .------.. Collection by DANH-BU/,AJnerican Taxpayer of City of Irvine [email protected] Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: =-=-==;=====t IN CCNN~CflON WITH AGENDA From: Tuan Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] ITEM NO. ·S- I Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 8:25AM To: irvinecitycouncil - Subject: No Human Rights in Vietnam, No friendships with Nha Trang. http :1lwv-lw .state.gov/j/ drllrls/hn·pt/humanri ghtsreport/index.htm ?year=20 13 &dl id=220244#wrapper Thank you, Tuan Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Sister city - Nha Trang VietNam rN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA -----Original Message----- ITEM NO._-J.l.-·..~.-1 __ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:20AM To: Pamela Baird Subject: Sister city- Nha Trang VietNam Hello Ms. Emma Evans Multicultural Affairs Coordinator City of Irvine One Civic Center Plaza I am a resident of Irvine since 1999. I oppose the city sister with Nha Trang, VN. VietNam is under the Communist regime where the Vietnamese people are deprived of their basic human rights and have no freedom of speech. Please reconsider. Thank you, Viet Tran Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Letter from Supervisor Spitzer RE: Friendship City (Agenda Item 5.1) Attachments: Letter to Irvine Council RE Friendship City Nha Trang.pdf From: Nguyen, Chris [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:35AM IN CONNECTION To: Steven Choi; Jeffrey Lalloway; Larry Agran; Beth Krom; Christina Shea WITH AGENDA Cc: irvinecitycouncil; clerk; Marie Macias Subject: Letter from Supervisor Spitzer RE: Friendship City (Agenda Item 5.1) ITEM NO. _St.:-· \.:..___ Dear Mayor Choi and Councilmembers: Attached, please find a letter from Supervisor Todd Spitzer regarding the proposed Friendship City relationship between Irvine and Nha Trang, Vietnam, which is a portion of Item 5.1 on tonight's Council agenda. Thank you, Chris Nguyen Senior Policy Advisor Office of Supervisor Todd Spitzer Third Supervisorial District Phone: (714) 834-3330 Fax: (714) 834-2786 [email protected] Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: a friendship proposal (Sister) with Nha Trang Attachments: April 8.docx ~~~N-·coNNECTtON I WITH AGENDA I iTEM NO. '5·1 ------·--..·------..···-·--·---·-·- .. ·------·------·-····---·----. -·· .. ··-· ...... --...... ---'-...-.. -..... - ....-::..-::.....-_- __ -___ -__ -______-___- ___- ..--' ...... From: Dieu Wynn [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:43AM To: irvinecitycouncil Cc: Da Ngoc Doan; My Tuyet; Lap Ngoc Truong; Thang Phan; Vincent Thieu Vo; kenny hoang; Hung Nguyen; tuan huynh Subject: a friendship proposal (Sister) with Nha Trang Thanks for your business, Wynn & Brothers Dieu Hoang Nguyen (FHA Approved) License No.# AR038910 Tel: (714)315-0054- (714)467-0119 Fax:(714)638-2635 Email: [email protected] Web: www.appraisal-land.com "License Status"or "Certification of Good Standing" within the State of California can be verified at w~·w:{irea:ct\.!iov 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Petition To Irvine City Council Attachments: D0(_20140408_0001.pdf IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. ~5:_.· \_,____ From: Larry Wynn [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:43AM To: StevenChoiWeb; LarryAgranWeb; JeffreylallowayWeb; Chistina Shea Web; [email protected] Subject: Petition To Irvine City Council Mr. Mayor and City Councils: We, the Irvine residents for 30 years. We are strongly against this Sisterhood of Irvine City & Nha Trang City proposal. Sincerely, Lan Nguyen Ly Phan Kim Nguyen Linda Nguyen Karen Nguyen Lisa Nguyen 3621 Sego St. Irvine, Ca. 92606 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: nha trang ri~c-ONNECTION WITH AGENDA -----Original Message----- ITEM NO. '5 · \ From: Alex Campbello [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 10:01 AM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: nha trang HUMAN RIGHTS FOR VIETNAM, NOT FRIENDSHIP WITH OPPRESSORS! VIETNAMESE COMMUNISTS ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS FREEDOM & DEMOCRACY FOR VIETNAM WHY DOES LARRY AGRAN WANTS TO BE FRIENDS WITH DICTATORS? DON'T INSULT THE VIET-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, MR. AGRAN IRVINE LOVES FREEDOM, NOT HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSERS FROM VIETNAM WHO NEEDS OPPRESSIVE THUGS FOR FRIENDS, MR. AGRAN? NOT IRVINE! WE WANT FREEDOM FOR VIETNAM, NOW! NHA TRANG NEEDS REAL FREEDOM, NOT FRIENDSHIP STOP BRINGING SHAME TO IRVINE COUNCILMAN AGRAN! Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: No Irvine-NhaTrang. No No! IN COt~NECTION From: Abd.Rahman [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:53AM ITEM NO. 5· l To: info Subject:· No Irvine-NhaTrang. No No! Hello, We Vietnamese-American don't want Nha Trang to be sister city with Irvine. We don't want communist people come to U.S, especially to Irvine. Shame on you Larry! Thanks, Marvin Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against the Irvine City sistered Nha Trang City in VN communist From: Vuong, Bach [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 10:32 AM IN CONNECTION To: irvinecitycouncil WITH AGENDA Subject: Against the Irvine City sistered Nha Trang City in VN communist ITEM NO. :;. \ My name : Bach Vuong, Email Address :Vuong [email protected]. I am Civil Engineer. I was imprisoned by the communist regime for almost 10 year For the so called counter revolutionary activity. I request the City of Irvine withdraw the decision to sister the city of Nha Trang in VN. Presently, the communist regime still oppressed the people and violate the Human Right blatantly. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Bach Vuong. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: vote NO on City hood Irvine & NhaTrang lN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Tohue Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] ITEM NO. 5· \ Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 10:32 AM . To: Pamela Baird Subject: vote NO on City hood Irvine & NhaTrang I am Tohue Nguyen. I vote NO on City hood Irvine & NhaTrang. Do not let Communist come over our Orang County. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Against the sisterhood of Irvine city and Nha Trang city Proposal IN CONNE;:CTION From: Minh Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 11:21 AM To: irvinecitycouncil ITEMNO. 1),\ Subject: Against the sisterhood of Irvine city and Nha Trang city Proposal CC: Dr. Steven S. Choy Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern Beth Krom, Council member Christina Shea, Council member To Mr. Larry Agran, Irvine Councilman, We are the Vienamese Americans, who have been living in Orange County, the city oflrvine, California for the past thirty-eight years. We are strongly against this sisterhood oflrvine city and Nha Trang city Proposal. Very Sincerely, Minh Nguyen and Family 1 FR01'1 . 45 19164 12:75PM Pl IN CONNECi10N·-· · WITH AGENDA Petition to Irvine City Council ITEM NQ._,_;:.J:<=\>__ \ _ SL!bmitted bi' admln on Frl, 04/04/2014 - 17:12 Deu 1-'oayor Chol and Members of the City Council: 1 oppose the City of Irvine entering iJ"\tO a 'Friendship City' relationship with the City of Nha Trang, VIetnam. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a chronic abuser of human rights and religious freedom. The regime In Hanoi has terrorized and arrested countless political dissidents who .dared to openly criticize the government's shortcomings. The City of Nha Tran~ also ;>ilrticip<>ted In such human rights violation. Ac;;orcing to Human Rights Watch, in 2009, two Vietnamese r~porters from Nha Trang was suspended from their jobs after they exposed the ongoing c:orrvption in City Hall. Furthermore, Nha Trang officials participated In a crackdown against a peaceful assembly last ~1ay at the behest of the Communist Party. r-orming;; 'Friendship City' relationship between Irvine ar.d Nha Trang will be a {)irect Insult to the Vletnamese American community in Orange County. According to the latest census numbers, there are nearly 200,000 v:etnamese Americans and residents of VIetnamese descent living in Orange County, and about 8,000 .of whom reside in lrvine. The vast maj:>rfty of the VIetnamese came here as former victims and escapees of the very regime that irvine ls now considering a Friendship City rclatlonshlp. How can Irvine be friends with representatives of an oppressive government that still wages war against many of Its own residents fo~ peacefully expressing their basic rights for freedom and democracy' This ill-advised consideration lnftlcts a deep emotional injury·to my community, but equally important, repre~ent::; a disregard of the principles of freedom and liberty that all of us; as Americans, would want to espouse around the world." Fer these reasons. l oppose the City of lrvine entering Into a 'Friendship City· relationship with the City of Nha "i"r Sincerely, Last Name:"' .····v~~~'&Y·· T.) ~nsur€ th~t th~ Irvine Cit)" Coundl considers your sion~turc, please provide yol!r full address. Address: " ~ 6 z.-r. :s~~~~.:£r Zip:" q.i,tJ6 Email Address:" . L-~i.Y..iJE9.tz:~: 6-1\,t~--i l... c (A) A1 Email Updates:" .. Please send me e-mail updates on this issue. Please send me e-mail upd~tes on this and other issues affecting cur community. •. ?lease do not send me e-mails. Additional Comments: A 1 n .4 G !LA-N fVJ "'-. ' FROM FRX NO. 45 19154 12: 75P11 P2 -=~=·· ·-· .. . ! IN CONNECTION· ! WITH AGENDA Petition to Irvine City Council ! ITEM NO. S·l Submitttel bY admln on Frl, Oa/04/20!4 · 17':12·· L------'----' )ev Mayor Choi and Merr.b~rs of the City C~uncil; l ;)C)~OS~ [he City of !Nine entering into a 'Friendshi~ City' rel;.tionship •vith the City or NhCI Tran!;, Vietnam. The Socialis~ Republic of Vietnam is a chronic abuser or human rights and re11glot..:s freedom. The regime In H11nol has terrorized and arrested tountless political dissidents who dared to openly criticize the government's shortcomings. The City Df Nha Trang also participated in such human rights violation. · Accon;Jing to Human Rights Watch, In 2009, t'r"O Vietnarn!!Se reporters from Nha Trang was suspended from their jobs after they exposed the .ongoir>g corruption in City Hall. Furthermore, Nha Trang officials partitipeted In a crackdown against 6 peaceful assembly last May at cne !)ehest of th~ Communist Party. Forming a 'Fricnoship City' relationship between Irvine and Nh;; Tr;;qg will be a direct Insult to tne VIetnamese American community in Or~nge County. According to the latest census numbers, there are nearly 200,000 VIetnamese Americans and residents of Vietnamese descent livir:g in Or·an9e Coun:y, and about S,ODO of whom reside in lrviM. The vast majority of the VietnaiT'.ese came here as former victims and r:scr;oees of the very regime that Irvine Is now considering a Friendship City relationship. MD'" can Irvine be friends with represeni:atives of an oppressive government that still wages war egainst ma11y of it~ own residents ror oe<>cefwlly e)(pressing their basic rights for freedom and democrecy7 This ill-advised consideration innicts a deep emotional ir1jury to rny community, but equally important, represents a disregard of the principles of Fre~dom and liberty th<~t 011i of-us; as Americans, "Yould want to espouse arotJnd the world." for ~nese reasons, 1 oppose the City of Irvine entering Into a 'Friendship City' rel<>tionshlp wtth the City of Nha Trang. Sincerely, First Name: • LY T" •···'"'e that the Irvine CitY Council considers your signature, please provide your full ~ddrcss. Addre~s: • s".v .s r;; Cro.. s.r fo"r'ail Updlltes: E i'lease senel.me e-mail updates on this issul ' Please send me e-mail updates on this and other issue~ affecl;lng our community. Please do not send me e-mails. Additional Comments: Submit FRml FAX NO. . 45 19164 12:75PM P3 IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA Petition to Irvine City Council ITEM NO. 5· \ Submitted by ad min or, Fri, 04/04/2014- :7:12 veer M3yor Choi ~nd Members of the City Council: ! oppose the City of Irvine entering into 11 "Fri~?ndship City' rel.atlonshlp with the City of Nha Trang, Vietnam. Th "-ccording to Human Rights Watc:h, in 2009, two Vietnamese ro:porters from Nha Trang w.as suspended from their jobs Mter they exposed tne ongoir.g corruption in City Hall. Furthermore, Nha Trang officials participated In a crackdown 1!galnst a peaceful assembly last May at :1'e t>ehest or the Communist Party. ;,;rmrr19 a 'Friendship City· relationship between Irvine ano :-.tha Tr;;ng will be" direct insult to the VIetnamese Amerlc~n community in Orang~ county. .·· Ac~ording to the latest census numbers, there are nearly 200,000 VIetnamese Americans and residents or Vletnarnes~ descent living ir. Or~nge County, and about 8,000 of whom re~ide·in Irvine. The vast majority of the VIetnamese carne here as former victims and .::scao~es of the very regime that Irvine Is now conside~ing a Friendship City relationship. ricw c~n Irvine be friends •'llith representatives of ill'! oppressive government that still wages war against many of Its own residents for oeC>ce!ully expressing their basic rights fer freedom and democracy? This ill·advisea consideration inflicts a deep emotionul injury to my community, but eQu<>lly important, represents Q dlsrega;d of the orinciples offre~dom and liberty th<:~t O!lli ·ot'us; os Americans, wouiCl want to espouse around the world." ror these reasons, l oppose the City of Irvine entering into a 'fr1endship City' relationship with the. City of Nha !rang. Sincerely, First Name; • [._~ 5.A. .. _... Lust Narne: • ~'-tf371./... -;-, ensur~ that the lr~tlne City Council consicers your sigr.aturc, pleose provide your full addr~ss. tl.ddre.ss: • 5 c 2-f ~ F.-~((J~ S" ,._ c~,~~,:.. Jd:t~~: Zip: • q'ZG~_f; Em ···---' ..... Email Updates: • Please send rne e·mall updates on this issu/ J ?lease send me e·mail upaMes on this ana other issues affecting our community. Please do not send me e·malls. Additional Comments: FROM FAX NO. . 45 19164 12:76PM P4 IN CONNgCTION WITH AGENDA ITEM N0_-7~·...... \ __ Petition to Irvine City Council Submitted by ~dmln on Frl, 04/04/2.014 - 17:12 Dear ~ayor Choi and Members of the City Council: r oppose the City of Irvine entering Into a 'Friendship City' relatlo:1shlp with the City of Nha Trang, VIetnam. Tile Socialist R~publi~ or VIetnam is a chronic abuser of human r-i~jhts and religious rreedom. The regime in Hanoi has terrorized an :I ~rrescec countless political dis~idents wtlo .dared to openly critici~e the government's shortcomings. The City of Nh~ Trang ~lso p According to Human Rights Watch, in 2009, two Vietnamese reporters from Nha Trang v,.as suspended from their jobs after they exposed me ongoing corruption in City Hall. Furthermore, Nha Trang officials participated In a crackdown agail'lst a peaceful assembly last Mc;y at the tlenest of the Communist Party. Forming a "Frictnelsh·lp City. relationship between Irvine ·and Nha Tr::,ng will be a direct Insult to the VIetnamese American community In Or.:.nge County. f.ccording to the latest census numbers, there are near:y 200,000 VIetnamese AmeriCal"ls and reslde11ts of VIetnamese descent living in Orange County, and about B,OOO of whom reside In Irvine. TM vast majority or the Vietnamese came here as former victim~ and escapees of the very regime that Irvine is now consider.ng a friendship City relationship. now can Irvine be friends with representatives of an oppressive government that still wages war agal11st many of Its own residents for peacertJIIy e.:presslng their basic ri9hts for frel!dom and democracy? · This ill·advised consideration innicts a deep emotional injury to my community, but equally important, represents a disregard of the principles of freedom and liberty that ali ·chis. as Americans, would want to espouse around tne world.'' For tnese reasons, I oooose the City of Irvine entering Into a 'Friendship City· r~;>l:\tionship with the City of Nha 'Trang. Sincerely, First Nume: ¥ Li'-·~ t>ft:. ···-·-····---C Last Name: • ~-yGn)-- T~ ••~sure thai the lrv;~t c;ty Council consider$ y"ur s;9nature, piC8Se prov;de your full address. Address: ~ '3 t2-r SEG-0 :S:.r Email ~ddres.s~ .. ~.. ·-·--.-- . E!Tlail Updates: • Please send me '!·mail updates on this issul. • ?leas~ send me e·mall updates on this and other Issues affecting our community. Ple~se do not send me e-malls. Additional Comments: 5vbmi: FROI·1 FAX NO. . 45 19164 12:76PM PS ii'.J CONNECTlON VViTH AGENDA .- ITEM NO __S~.-·...:.1 ___ Petition to Irvine City Council ·-- ______. Submitted by Dear Mayor Choi ano Members of the City Cou11cil: ! oppose the City of Irvine entering into a 'Friendship Ci~y· relationship with the City of Nha Trang, VIetnam. Tl'e Soci~list Republic of Vietnam is a chronic <~buser of human rights ond religious freedom. The regime in Hanoi h~s ~errorized and arrested covntless political dissidents wbo .dared to openl\' criticize the- government's shortcomings. The City d Nha Trang also participated in such human rights violation. According to Human ~ights Watch, in 2009, two Vietnarn~sc rc:po·rters frcm Nha Trang was suspended from tMir jobs alter they exoose~ the ongoing corruption in Clty Hoi!. Furthermore, Nha Trang officials part!cipl>ted In a crackdown against a peaceful assembly las~ May at me t>ehest of the Communist Party. Forming a 'friendshio City' relationship between Irvine a:~d Nha "'rang will be a direct Insult to the VIetnamese American community in 0 range County According to the latest census numbers, there are neorly 200,000 VIetnamese Americans and residents of Vietnamese descent living in Orange County, and ~bout 8,000 or whom reside in Irvine. The v~st majority of the VIetnamese came here as former victims and ~~co pees or the ver( regime that Irvine ls noW considering a Friendship City relationship. How an Irvine be friends with representatives of ar. oppressive government tr.at still wages ""ar bgcdnst many of Its own residents r.,r :Je2cefully expressing the•r basic rights for freedom and democr~cy7 Tris ill-advised consideration Inflicts a deep eniotJbnal injury to my community, but equalll' impcrtant, represents a disregard of the orinciples of freedom ond liberty that ali ·of-us; as Am~r:cans, would want to espouse around the world" For the!sa reasons, I oppose the City of l~lne en~ering into a 'Friendship City' relatio.1ship with tl1e City or Nha Trang. Sincerely, F;r!;t Name: • k~------ Last Name: ~ ~yet\r_· __ To coso•e tnat the !rvine c;ty Covocll considers \'OUr signature, ple~se prov:de 1'0\Jr full address. ~ddress: ~ 5t:. 2-{ se~-o- c;y--. City: • ,.. CA- :r;v- r n/G ..,.. _____ . Zip: • 12.--b<' b Emai_l Adtl_r~~E-~- Email Update:;: • 1 Please send me e-muil updates on this issul. Please send me e-mail updates on this and oth1u issues affecting our community. Please do not send me e-mails. Additionnl Comments: Sul:lmit FR0f'1 FAX ~40. . 45 19164 12: 77Pr1 P6 '" '""·'~-·-·''-~-~---J if">i CCiNNE;CTION .·~:TH AGENDA Petition to Irvine City Council ·n.:: rv1 No '"r ' Submitted by admin on Fri, 04(04/2014- 17: 12 ·--·--·---·-·------' ::leur M~yor Chol and Members of the City Coui"ICil: ! oppos~ the City of Irvine entering into;, 'Frii!:Msliip City' relationship with the City or JIJM Tr11ng, Vietnam. T~e Socialist Republic or Vietnam Is a chronic abuser of human ri~;;hts and religious freedom. The regime in Hanoi has terrorized and ~rres:te.:! countless political dissidents who .dared to openly criticize the government's shortcomings. The City of Nha Trang also participated in such human rights violation. According to Human Rights Watch, in 2009, two VIetnamese reporters from Nha Trang was suspended from their jobs after they eKposed tnc ongoing corruption in City Hall. Furthermore, Nha Trang officials participated In a crackdown against a peacefulllssembly last May at (11e Dehest of the Communist Party. ;:orl''rno a 'Friendship City' relationship between !rvine and Nha Trang will be a direct Insult to the Vletn~mese American commvn;ty '" Or3ng; Counr:y. According to the iatest census numbers, there are nearly 200,000 Vietnamese Americans and residents of VIetnamese oescent living in Orange County, rtow can Irvine be friends with representatives of illl oppressive gover.1ment that still wages war against many of its own resicents for peacefuliy expressing their basic rights for freedom and democracy? This ill-advisea consideration inflicts a oeep emotional injury to my community, but equally important, re·presents a disregard of the principles of freedom and liberty that ali of-us; as Americans, would want to espouse around the world." For these re3sons, t oppose the City of Irvine entering into a 'Friendship City' relationship with the City of Nha Trang. Sincerely, First Name: .. K"i j/1. Last Nume: & ~~EN To e'-sur~ that the Irvine City Council considers your signa!ura, please provide your ru:l ~ddrcss. Address' • '3 "-z,; s"ej Emil i_l_ ~.d.d re:>.J>i. -~·-- ···------\. Email Updates' • 1 ?tease send me e-mail updates on this issue': ?lease send me e-mail updates on this ar.d other Issues affecting our community. Please do not send me e-mails. Additional Comments: Submrt TODD SPITZER SUPERVISOR. THIRD DISTRICT ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ORANGE COUNTY HALL OF ADMINISTRATION 333 W. SANTA ANA BLVD., SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92701 IN CONNeCTION PHONE (714) 834-3330 FAX (714) 834-2786 WITH AGENDA Todd [email protected] ITEM NO. j! I April 8, 2014 Hon. StevenS. Choi, Ph.D. Mayor of Irvine 1 Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA 92606-5207 RE: OPPOSE FRIENDSHIP CITY RELATIONSHIP WITH NHA TRANG Dear Mayor Choi: I urge the Irvine City Council to withdraw the portion of Item 5.1 from today's City Council agenda that would declare a "Friendship City" relationship between Irvine and Nha Trang, Vietnam. If the item cannot be withdrawn, then I urge every member of the Irvine City Council to oppose the proposed "Friendship City" relationship with Nha Trang. The government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a frequent perpetrator of human rights abuses of its own people. In the. United States, our most cherished civil liberties include the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom to choose our own government officials through free and fair elections. The Vietnamese government regularly imprisons people for criticizing the government. As of July 2013, the Vietnamese government more than 160 political prisoners, including imprisoning 14 pro-democracy activists in January 2013 alone. Just last month, the Vietnamese government sentenced Truong Duy Nhat to two years in prison for running a blog critical of the government. Even the city government ofNha Trang commits these abuses. In 2009, Nha Trang officials suspended two journalists for. investigating local governrrient corruption. In May 2013, the Nha Trang government resorted to beating, cigarette burning, home detention, and electronic device confiscation, all in an effort to prevent a peaceful human rights picnic in a public park. The United States is home to more than 1,000,000 Vietnamese immigrants fled for their lives from the tyranny of communism. More than 2,600,000 American soldiers served in Vietnam, and more than 58,000 gave their lives for the cause of freedom. DeClaring a "Friendship City" relationship with Nha Trang is not simply an insult to Vietnamese Americans and Vietnam War Veterans, but it is also an insult to all freedom-loving Americans and all freedom-loving people around the world. Establishing a Friendship City relationship with Nha Trang would be as offensive as one with Tehran, Pyongyang, or Damascus, and I urge the Irvine City Council to oppose this effort. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (714) 834-3330 or [email protected]. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you on behalf of our mutual constituents, as leaders democratically chosen in free and fair elections in a country where criticism of the government is not only permitted but encouraged. · Supervisor, Third District cc: Hon. Jeffrey Lalloway, Mayor Pro Tern of Irvine Hon. Larry Agran, Irvine City Councilmember Hon. Beth Krom, Irvine City Councilmember Hon. Christina Shea, Irvine City Councilmember Marie Macias, Interim Irvine City Clerk City of Westminster 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, CA 92683 7,.;.1.;.;.4..-89 .... 8;.;..3.-31 .... 1 ______, TRI TA www. westminster -co.gov IN CONNECTION Mayor WITH AGENDA . ' ITEM NO. _...;;..._-).\__ _ MARGIE l. RICE April 7, 2014 Mayor ProT em The Honorable StevenS. Choi, Ph.D. DIANA lEE CAREY Mayor, City of Irvine RECEIVED· Council Member 1 Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA 92606 APR 0 8. 2014 SERGIO CONTRERAS Council Member Dear Mayor Choi and Honorable Councilmembers: CITY OF IRVINE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE ANDY QUACH It has been brought to my attention that you will consider adding the City of Nha Trang, Council Member Vietnam, to your list of Friendship Cities at your City Council meeting tomorrow. As the Mayor Pro Tern of the City of Westminster, which is home to a large population of EDDIE MANFRO Vietnamese Americans, I implore you to vote NO on this issue. City Manager Not only has the Socialist Republic of Vietnam continuously disregarded the basic human rights of its own people, but the City of Nha Trang has also been cited for numerous human rights violations as well as child sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Establishing a relationship with any country or city that blatantly violates human rights and perpetrates child sexual exploitation and human trafficking would be highly offensive to the citizens of Orange County, especially the Vietnamese American community. Over the years I have seen a number of anti-communist protests and demonstrations lasting up to several weeks at a time. If the City of Irvine approves this relationship with Nha Trang, your actions will undoubtedly spark uproar from the Vietnamese American community in Orange County and around the nation. Please understand that many Vietnamese Americans have fled this same communist government that you are considering establishing ties with. To do so would be a personal insult to them. The United States was founded on the principles of freedom of speech and democracy. Establishing a relationship with a country and/or city that does not adhere to these same principles sends a message that we are tolerant of these types of abuses. Again, I respectfully ask that you do not vote in favor of adding the City of Nha Trang, Vietnam to your list of Friendship Cities. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, CC: Honorable Members, Irvine City Council Mr. Sean Joyce, Irvine City Manager 1 QUY VAN LY 1N CONNECTION 52 Candytuft WITH AGENDA Irvine, CA 92606 RECEIVED ITEM NO. 6-\ (714)305-5199 APR 0 7 2014 April 7, 2014 CITY OF IRVINE Irvine City Council Members CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Councilmember Larry Agran Dear Honorable(s), My name is Quy Van Ly. I am 63 years old, a practicing dentist and Irvine resident since 2002. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, I have been put in a so-called re-education camp by the Communists for nearly 3 years for the crime of "treating toothache of ARVN soldiers so they could commit crimes against the people and the revolution!" I know it is too far-stretching to believe but that was what I had to write in my confession in the camp by the guidance of my prison warden. I am writing this letter to urge you to withdraw your proposal regarding a friendship program with Nha Trang, Vietnam. My reasons are: -Vietnam is currently ruled by one single despotic party, the Communists. They have had a long record of human rights oppression. Scores of innocent people have been arrested for expressing dissenting opinions peacefully, including in Nha Trang. The U.S. Department of State has issued a 2013 report of Human Rights in Vietnam warning that: "Specific human rights abuses included continued police mistreatment ofsuspects during arrest and detention, including the use oflethal force as well as austere prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention for political activities; and denial ofthe right to a fair and expeditious trial." (Excerpts from the exhibit enclosed). http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rlslhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm -There are thousands of Vietnamese refugees in this city oflrvine and hundreds of thousands in ~orange County. They are your neighbors, your fellow citizens, your voters. Many were tortured, imprisoned, driven to flee their homeland by the Communists who are still rurining Vietnam? Recently, Dr. Richard F. Mollica of Harvard University has concluded a showing study that thousands of Vietnamese in the United States are still suffering from the effects of torture inflicted on them during Communist captivity decades ago. According to Mollica, these former South Vietnamese soldiers and civilian officials in your midst have sustained severe head injuries causing deep depression and PTSD nearly 40 years after the fall of Saigon. (Linlc http://www.uwe-thebeat.org/frame/torture.pdD. Why would you want to aggravate their situation and give them offense by befriending the regime that came to power by perpetrating these crimes and other egregious forms of terror. -My wife, Quynhchau Le, and her family are from Nha Trang. She is one of the boat people who risked their lives fleeing from Communist tyranny, like so many of your Vietnamese neighbors. Don't you think they would love nothing more than their new beloved home, Irvine, to be twinned with their birthplace, Nha Trang- ONCE NHA TRANG IS FREE? All it takes is the current city fathers ofNha Trang and, by extension, the government in Hanoi, to express their sorrow over the massacres and the pain inflicted by their predecessors on the millions of Vietnamese now living in exile in the U.S., France, Germany, the U.K, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. No such regret has ever been voiced by the Communists who vanquished our homeland. Please reconsider your proposal. Thank you very much for listening. Sincerely, Quy Van Ly, DDS, MBA US citizen and Irvine resident Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 1 of 19 2013 Human Rights Reports: Vietnam BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR 2013 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Report February 27, 2014 This is the basic text view. SWITCH NOW to the new, more interactive format. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is an authoritarian state ruled by a single party. the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and President Truong Tan Sang. The most recent National Assembly elections, held in 2011, were neither free nor fair. Authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. Security forces committed human rights abuses. The most significant human rights problems in the country continued to be severe government restrictions on citizens' political rights, particularly their right to change their government; increased measures to limit citizens· civil liberties; and corruption in the judicial system and police. Specific human rights abuses included continued police mistreatment of suspects during arrest and detention, including the use of lethal force as well as austere prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention for political activities; and denial of the right to a fair and expeditious trial. Political influence, endemic corruption, and inefficiency continued to distort the judicial system significantly. The government limited freedoms of speech and press and suppressed dissent; increasingly restricted internet freedom; reportedly continued to be involved in attacks against websites containing criticism; maintained surveillance of dissidents; and continued to limit privacy rights and freedoms of assembly, associatio.n, an_q movement. Although authorities allowed more than 100 new places of worship to register. hundreds of others remained unable to register, and citizens who tried to exercise their right to freedom of religion continued to be subject to harassment. differing interpretations and applications of the law, and inconsistent legal protection, especially al provincial and village levels. Police corruption persisted. The government maintained ils prohibition of independent human rights organizations. Violence and discrimination against women as well as trafficking in persons of men, women, and children continued. as did gender-based sex selection and sexual exploitation of children. Although societal discrimination based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and HIV/AIDS status persisted, a lively public debate about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights took place, and LGBT persons were generally tolerated. The government maintained limits on workers' rights to form and join independent unions and did not enforce safe and healthy working conditions adequately. Child labor persisted. The government inconsistently took steps to prosecute and punish officials who committed abuses. and police officers sometimes acted with impunity. SECTION 1. RESPECT FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE PERSON, INCLUDING FREEDOM FROM: a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life Although details were not always available, there were reports indicating that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, including reports of nine deaths of persons in custody during the year as well as abuses of lethal force. The Bureau of Investigation of the Supreme People's Procuracy examines allegations of abuse by security forces. On January 29. Nguyen Quoc Tuan died in police custody in Gia Lai Province after 1wo months' detention for alleged theft. Tuan·s family challenged the authorities· ruling of death by natural causes. pointing to significant bruising and wounds on Tuan·s body. There was no further public information on Tuan's death or the family's request for an investigati-on. According to official reports, Tran Van Hien died of brain injury on April 11. after police took him into custody in Binh Tan District. Ho Chi Minh City. after he threatened to film traffic police as they seized his motorbike. Police officers le Thanh Bang and LeVan Tong later confessed that they beat him. The case remained under police investigation as of November. b. Disappearance There was one new report of a politically motivated disappearance: On August 21, police reportedly detained blogger Nguyen Van Dung. also known as Aduku Adk, on a street in downtown Hanoi after he participated in a meeting of the politically oriented "Networ1< of Vietnamese Bloggers. • Shortly after his detention, local police searched his house. At year"s end. his whereabouts were unknown. and authorities had not filed official charges. http://www.state.gov/j/drVrlslhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 2 of 19 There continued to be no information on the whereabouts of both Thich Tri Khai. a monk from the unregistered Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam whom authorities arrested in 2008. and Le Tri Tue, a founder of the Independent Workers' Union whom authorities placed in custody in 2007. On January 28. the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances reported that it resubmitted a query regarding the one outstanding case that it had on record but received no response from the government. c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment The law prohibits physical abuse, but police commonly mistreated suspects during arrest or detention, and drug detention-center personnel abused detainees as well. Security officials attacked journalists (see section 2.a.). The government signed the Convention Against Torture on November 7. There were reports of medical abuse during the year. On January 24, security officers detained blogger Le Anh Hung in a mental institution against his will. He was released on February 5. He had frequently denounced corruption by senior officials in his blogs. In May blogger Nguyen Hoang Vi. her sister Nguyen Thao Chi. and her mother Nguyen Thi Cue alleged that police harassed and beat them when they tried to recover a cell phone and computer that police confiscated from Nguyen Hoang Vi the day before. Land-rights protesters in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and several provinces in the Mekong Delta continued to report instances of physical harassment and intimidation by local authorities. For example, on September 17. land-rights demonstrators ctaimed that police and local authorities in Ho Chi Minh City pushed them into the street and injured them in front of a government office building. (Most incidents behveen local authorities and ethnic minorities involved land. money, or domestic disputes.) In May the People's Procuracy of Tuy Hoa City found Major Nguyen Minh Quyen, Major Nguyen Tan Quang, Senior Lieutenant Pham Ngoc Man, and police officers Nguyen Than Thao Thanh and Do Nho guilty of using corporal punishment during the interrogation of Ngo Thanh Kieu. who was detained on burglary charges in May 2012. Ngo died from his injuries. The procuracy recommended disciplinary action for 10 other police officers of Tuy Hoa City, inducting Senior Lieutenant Colonel Le Due Hoa. The case was pending trial. Prison and Detention Center Conditions Prison conditions were austere but generally not life threatening. Overcrowding, insufficient diet. lack of access to potable water, and poor sanitation remained serious problems. State control of the media restricted reporting on living conditions. Physical Conditions: The number of prisoners and detainees was not publicty available. but the nongovernmental organization (NGO) International Center for Prison Studies reported that the prison population as of mid-2012. inctuding pretrial detainees, totaled 130,180, of whom 12.6 percent were women. Authorities generally hold men and women separately, with some reported exceptions in local detention centers where space is often limited. Authorities generally held juveniles in prison separately from adults, but on rare occasions. they held juveniles in detention with adults for short periods due to the unavailability of space. Authorities typically sent political prisoners to specially designated prisons that also held regular criminals and, in most cases, kept political prisoners separate from nonpolitical prisoners. Authorities completely isolated some high-profile political prisoners. Prisoners had access to basic health care. although in many cases officials prevented family members from providing medication to prisoners. In addition. family members of imprisoned activists who experienced health problems ctaimed medical treatment was inadequate and resulted in greater long-term health complications. In June Cu Huy Ha Vu refused to accept prison food in protest over prison conditions. which induded the complaint that conditions had exacerbated his chronic heart condition. In September Dinh Dang Dinh, a high school teacher in Oak Nong Province arrested for his online postings in 2011 and sentenced to six years· imprisonment in August 2012. was allowed to have stomach cancer surgery in Ho Chi Minh City after a long and extensive application process for appropriate medical treatment. Deaths in prison were mostly related to serious health conditions. exacerbated by poor or delayed medical care, poor sanitation, and malnutrition. Some family members of prisoners alleged that death resulted from lethal force by authorities (see section 1.a.). Prisoners generally were required to work but received no wages. Authorities sometimes placed prisoners in solitary confinement and deprived them of reading and writing materials for periods of up to several months. Family members continued to make credible claims that prisoners received benefits by paying bribes to prison officials or undertaking hunger strikes. Administration: While prison sentences could be extremely lengthy, authorities did not force prisoners to serve beyond the maximum sentence for their charged offenses. There were no prison ombudsmen and no consideration of alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders. Prison administrators did not keep adequate records. and at times statistics were contradictory. Authorities limited prisoners to one 3G-minute family visit per month and generally permitted family members to give supplemental food and bedding to prisoners. Family members of political prisoners continued to report increased government surveillance and harassment by security officials as well as interference with their work. school, and financial activities. In addition, authorities generally prevented foreign diplomats from meeting with prisoners but did allow foreign diplomats to make one limited prison visit during the year to meet with one prominent prisoner. Authorities routinely transferred prisoners. making it difficult for family members to visit. In February police transferred Nguyen Van Hai (also known by his pen name. Dieu Cay) to a prison in Ba Ria-Vung, Tau Province. without informing his family. Hai ctaimed that prison authorities forced him to give up all http://www.state.gov (j/drl/rls/hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244 .htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 3 of 19 personal belongings, including newspapers, books. notebooks, and pens, and locked him in isolation for more than two months. In April authorities transferred Hai to a prison in Nghe An Province and placed him in solitary confinement. after which he began a hunger strike. In May authorities transferred Ta Phong Tan, a 2013 International Women of Courage Award winner serving a 1 0-year prison sentence for anti state propaganda (Article 88), from a prison in Dong Nai Province to one in Thanh Hoa Province. She claimed the transfer would exacerbate her health conditions. Independent Monitoring: Although permitted. the International Committee of the Red Cross neither requested nor carried out prison visits during the year. d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention The Jaw allows the government to detain persons without charge indefinitely under vague "national security" provisions. The government continued to arrest and detain individuals indefinitely under other legal provisions and subjected several activists throughout the country to administrative detention or house arrest. ROLE OF THE POLICE AND SECURITY APPARATUS Internal security is the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Security, ·although in some remote areas. the military is the primary government agency and performs public safety functions, including maintaining public order in the event of civil unrest. The ministry controls the police, a special national security investigative agency, and other internal security units. Police organizations exist at the provincial, distrid, and local levels and are subject to the authority of people's committees at each level. Although the Supreme People's Procuracy (Public Prosecutor's Office) has authority to investigate security force abuse. police organizations operated with significant discretion and little transparency. At the commune level, guard forces composed of residents commonly assisted police. Police were generally effective at maintaining public order, but police capabilities. especially investigative, were very limited. and training and resources were inadequate. Several foreign governments continued to assist in training provincial police and prison management officials to improve their professional skills. ARREST PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT OF DETAINEES The taw outlines the process by which individuals should be taken into custody and treated until authorities adjudicate their cases. The Supreme People's Procuracy issues arrest warrants, generally at the request of police, although police may make an arrest without a warrant based on a complaint filed by any person. The procuracy issues retroactive warrants in such cases. The procuracy must issue a decision to initiate a lonna! criminal investigation of a detainee within nine days; otherwise. police must release the suspect. Authorities often circumvented the nine-day regulation and did not consistently infonn detainees of the charges against them in a timely manner. By law, detainees are permitted access to lawyers from the time of their detention; however, authorities continued their use of bureaucratic delays to deny access to legal counsel. In cases investigated under national security laws, authorities prohibited defense lawyers' access to clients until after an investigation ended and the suspect was formally charged with a crime, most often after approximately four months. Under regulations. investigations may be continued and access to counsel denied for more than two years. In addition. a scarcity of trained lawyers and insufficient protection of defendant rights made prompt detainee access to an attorney rare. Only juveniles and persons fonnally charged with capital crimes were assigned lawyers. The law requires authorities to infonn defense attorneys of interrogations of their clients and allow them to attend, but a defendant first must request the presence of a lawyer. It remained unclear whether authorities always informed defendants of this right. The law also requires authorities to give defense attorneys access to case files and permit them to copy documents. Attorneys were sometimes able to exercise these rights. although those representing politically sensitive detainees reported an inability to carry out their responsibilities to their clients and exercise their rights under the taw. Police generally infonned families of detainees' whereabouts, but family members could visit a detainee only with the pennission of the investigator. and this pennission was not regularly granted. During the investigative period, authorities routinely denied detainees access to family members. especially in national security cases. Before a formal indictment, detainees have the right to notify family members. although a number of detainees suspeded of national security violations were held incommunicado. Time spent in pretrial detention counts toward time served upon conviction and sentencing. Courts may sentence persons to administrative detention of up to five years after completion of a sentence. In addition, police or certain state sponsored social organizations referred to as "mass organizations" may propose that one of five different "administrative measures" be imposed by people's committee chairs at district and provincial levels without trial. The measures include terms ranging from six to 24 months in either juvenile refonnatories or adult detention centers. Authorities generally applied such measures to repeat offenders with a record of minor offenses, such as committing petty theft or "humiliating other persons." Tenns of 24 months were standard for drug users and prostitutes. Individuals sentenced to detention facilities were forced to meet work quotas to pay for services and detention costs. Committee chairs may also impose terms of "administrative probation," which generally took the form of restriction on movement. Authorities continued to punish some individuals using vaguely worded national security provisions of Jaw. Many detainees. especially those held on national security charges. reported irregular access to legal counsel, and limited access to materials and information that would assist in the preparation of their legal defense. including the Penal Code itself. http:/ /www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 4 of 19 There is no functioning bail system or equivalent system of conditional release. Arbitrarv Arrest: Arbitrary arrest and detention, particulany for political activists. remained a problem. The government also used decrees, ordinances, and other measures to detain activists for the peaceful expression of opposing political views (see section 2.a.). Authorities arrested individuals on allegations of revealing state secrets, subversion. taking advantage of democratic freedoms to infringe upon the government's interest. and other crimes as a means to suppress political dissent and public advocacy. The government reported in eany 2012 (the most recent data available) that more than 43,000 drug users--the large majority of whom were administratively assigned to forced detoxification without judicial review--were living in the 121 drug-detention centers countrywide. At these centers, according to a 2011 NGO report. authorities allegedly forced individuals to perform menial wor1< under harsh conditions and mistreated them (see section 7.b.). The Law on Handling of Administrative Violations passed in June 2012 became effective July 1, except for some provisions related to the handling of cases by the people's courts. which were scheduled to come into effect January 1, 2014. The law outlines new judicial procedures to replace the system of administrative detention with a judicial process for committing individuals to forced detoxification centers. Following the issuance of this law, the Ministry of Justice organized conferences. workshops, and training on its implementation. As of October, the Ministry of Justice reported that it was drafting 26 decrees to implement the law. By year's end, legal provisions providing for due process had not been implemented. On May 21. police briefly detained bloggers Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quyng (aka Me Nam Gau). Nguyen Tien Nam (aka Binh Nhi). and Pham Van Hai (aka Sea Free) after they distributed copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and balloons with human rights logos in Nha Trang. Authorities also subjected religious and political activists to varying degrees of informal detention in their residences. According to widespread independent reports, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi police continued to monitor prominent activists Nguyen Dan Que, Nguyen Bac Truyen. Bui Thi Minh Hang. Nguyen Van Dai, Pham Hong Son, and Le Cong Dinh. Pretrial Detention: The investigative period typically lasted from three months for less serious offenses (punishable by up to three years' imprisonment), to 16 months for exceptionally serious offenses (punishable by more than 15 years' imprisonment or capital punishment). and to more than two years for national security cases. At times, however. investigations lasted indefinitely. By law, the procuracy may also request additional two-month periods of detention after completing an investigation to consider whether to prosecute a detainee or ask police to investigate further. Investigators sometimes continued to use physical abuse. isolation. excessively lengthy interrogation sessions. and sleep deprivation to compel detainees to confess. On October 2. a Hanoi court convicted Le Quae Quan. a businessman and human rights lawyer whom police arrested and detained in December 2012 without trial, on charges of tax evasion and sentenced him to 30 months in jail. together with a fine of 1.2 billion Vietnamese dong (VND) ($56,800). The court also ordered his company. Vietnam Solution. to pay the allegedly evaded taxes. Amnesty: In its traditional National Day amnesty, the government announced the release of more than 15,000 prisoners nationwide. including 16 foreigners. Four individuals convicted on national security-related charges were among those released: Duong Due Phong and Hoang Hung Quyen, who were convicted of spying; and Y Kon Nie andY Huang Nie. who were jailed for ·undermining the unity policy" (Article 87). e. Denial of Fair Public Trial The law provides for the independence of judges and lay assessors. but the CPV controlled the courts at all levels through its effective control of judicial appointrne.nts and other mechanisms and in many cases, determined verdicts. As in past years, political influence, endemic corruption. and inefficiency strongly distorted the judicial system. Most. if not all, judges were members of the CPV and chosen at least in part for their political views. The party's influence was particulany notable in high-profile cases and other instances in which authorities charged a person with challenging or harming the party or state. There continued to be a shortage of trained lawyers and judges. The Vietnam Bar Federation falls under the supervision of the CPVs Vietnam Fathenand Front (VFF). an umbrella group that monitors the country's government-sponsored social organizations. and is dosely coordinated with the Ministry of Justice and the Vietnam Lawyers Association. TRIAL PROCEDURES The constitution provides that citizens are innocent until proven guilty, although many lawyers complained that judges generally presumed guilt. Trials generally were open to the public. but in sensitive cases judges dosed trials or strictly limited attendance. Juries are not used. The public prosecutor brings charges against an accused person and serves as prosecutor during trials. Defendants have the right to be informed promptly and in detail of the charges levied against them. with free interpretation as necessary. but this was not always implemented. Defendants have the right to be present and have a lawyer at trial, although not necessarily the lawyer of their choice. and this right generally was upheld. Defendants unable to afford a lawyer generally were provided one only in cases involving a juvenile offender or with possible sentences of life imprisonment or capital punishment. Defense lawyers commonly had little time before trials to examine evidence against their dients. The defendant or defense lawyer has the right to cross-examine witnesses, but there were cases in which neither defendants nor their lawyers had access to government evidence in advance of the trial. cross-examined witnesses. or challenged statements. http://www.state.gov/j/drVrls/hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 5 of 19 Defendants have the right not to be compelled to confess guilt and the legal option to refrain from testifying. Investigators sometimes continued to use physical abuse. isolation, excessively lengthy interrogation sessions, and sleep deprivation to compel detainees to confess. In national security cases, judges occasionally silenced defense lawyers who were making arguments on behalf of their clients in court. Convicted persons have the right to appeal. District and provincial courts did not publish their proceedings, but the Supreme People's Court continued to publish the proceedings of all cases it reviewed. There continued to be credible reports that authorities pressured defense lawyers not to take religious or democracy activists as clients. Authorities also restricted, harassed, arrested, disbarred, and, in some cases. detained human rights attorneys who represented political activists. Authorities prevented lawyers Le Tran Luat. Huynh Van Dong, Le Cong Dinh. and Nguyen Van Dai from practicing law. POLITICAL PRISONERS AND DETAINEES There continued to be no precise estimates of the number of political prisoners, although the number increased during the year. The government reportedly held more than 120 political detainees at years end, although some international observers claimed there were more. Diplomatic sources maintained that four re-education centers in the country held approximately 4,000 prisoners. During the year the government sentenced 61 activists. Of those, 54 activists were convicted on national security charges. induding 37 for "attempting to overthrow the government" (Article 79). eight for "undermining the unity policy" (Article 87). five for "conducting propaganda against the state" (Article 88), and, four for "fleeing abroad or defecting to stay overseas with a view to opposing the people's administration" (Article 91 ). In addition to those convicted on national security charges. seven activists were sentenced on different charges. including four for "causing public disorder" (Article 245), one for "resisting persons in the performance of their official duties" (Article 257), one for "abusing democratic freedoms." (Article 258); and one for "tax evasion" (Article 161). Although authorities increased efforts to suppress political speech through arbitrary arrest and politically motivated convictions, authorities also increasingly used less traditional methods of harassment, including threats against individuals and family members, short-term detentions without charges, and surveillance. For example, on May 16, the People's Court of southern Long An Province sentenced Nguyen Phuong Uyen to six years' and Dinh Nguyen Kha to eight years' imprisonment. plus three and two years' house arrest, respectively, for "conducting propaganda against the state" (Article 88). Authorities arrested them in November 2012 for allegedly creating and distributing anti-CPV and anti-China leaflets and for links to the political organization "Tuoi tre yeu nuoc" (Young Patriots). On August 16, the Appeals Court released Uyen. commuting her jail term to three years' house arrest. The court reduced Kha's sentence to four years' imprisonment. Following the August Appeals Court decision. security officials reportedly coerced Kha into admitting to having committed terrorist acts. According to the family, authorities dropped the investigation into those charges in November. The government also detained and prosecuted ethnic minorities for a variety of antistate offenses. For example. on May 28. the Gia Lai Provincial People's Court sentenced eight ethnic minority Montagnards, who were affiliated with an unregistered Catholic church, to three to 11 years' imprisonment under Article 87. According to the indictment presented by the Gia Lai Provincial People's Procuracy, the Montagnards organized individuals against plans to build a hydroelectric plant in HaMon and associated with the foreign-based Front Uni de Lutte des Races Opprimees (widely known as "FULRO") political organization. The eight persons were also found guilty of attempting to establish a "private state• for ethnic minority people in Gia Lai. Dak Lak. Kon Tum, and Lam Dong. Authorities continued to detain and imprison other individuals who used the internet to publish ideas on human rights, government policies, and political pluralism (see section 2.a.). Several political dissidents affiliated with illegal political organizations-including the People's Democratic Party, People's Action Party. Free Vietnam Organi.zation, the Democratic Party of Vietnam, United Workers and Farmers Organization, and Bloc 840&- remained in prison or under house arrest in various locations. Authorities released some prominent political and religious activists from prison. On February 6, authorities released under a suspended sentence human rights lawyer Le Cong Din h. He had been sentenced in 2010 to five years in prison and three years' house arrest for his defense of prodemocracy activists. He remained under house arrest at years end. CIVIL JUDICIAL PROCEDURES AND REMEDIES There is no clear or effective mechanism for pursuing a civil action to redress or remedy abuses committed by authorities. Civil suits are heard by administrative. civil, and criminal courts, all of which follow the same procedures as in criminal cases. and are adjudicated by members of the same body of judges and lay assessors. All three levels continued to be subject to corruption. lack of independence, and inexperience. By law. a citizen seeking to press a complaint regarding a human rights violation by a civil servant faces difficult barriers and is required first to petition the accused civil servant for permission to refer the complaint to court. If the civil servant refuses a petition. the citizen may appeal to the civil servant's superior. If the civil servant or the superior accepts the complaint for hearing, an administrative court takes up the matter. If that court agrees that the case should be pursued, it is referred either to a civil court for suits involving physical injury seeking redress of less than 20 percent of health-care costs resulting from the alleged abuse. or to a criminal court for redress of more than 20 percent of such costs. As a result of this elaborate system of referral and permission, citizens had little effective recourse to civil or criminal judicial procedures to remedy human rights abuses, and few legal experts had relevant experience. http:/ /www.state.gov/j/drllrlslhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244 .htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 6 of 19 The government continued to prohibit class-action lawsuits against government ministries. thus rendering ineffective joint complaints from land-rights petitioners. PROPERTY RESTITUTION The law provides for compensation. housing, and job training for individuals displaced by development projects. Widespread complaints persisted of inadequate or delayed compensation. official corruption. and a general lack of transparency in the government's process of confiscating land and moving citizens to make way for infrastructure projects. Some members of ethnic minority groups in the Central and Northwest Highlands continued to complain that they did not receive proper compensation for land the government confiscated to develop large-scale. slate-owned enterprises. In June the National Assembly postponed passage of the revised Land Law for further study. f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence The law prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family. home. or correspondence. but the government did not respect these prohibitions. Public prosecutorial orders are required for forced entry into homes. although security forces seldom followed procedures to obtain such orders and instead asked permission to enter homes with an implied threat of repercussions for failure to cooperate. Political dissidents. including Truong Duy Nhal. Pham Viet Dao, and Dinh Nhat Uy, reported that police illegally removed personal computers. cell phones. and other material from their respective homes and/or offices. On September 25. between 20 and 30 uniformed and plainclothes police entered the residence of blogger Nguyen Tuong Thuy in Hanoi without a legal warrant and detained nine individuals. including Nguyen Phuong Uyen. her mother, former prisoner Pham Ba Hai, Duong Thi Tan (Dieu Cay's former wife). Le Quae Quyel (Le Quae Quan's brother). and others. Several witnesses reported that Ministry of Public Security officials took the group to a Hanoi police station, interrogated them. and assaulted some. Police released the detainees within five hours. Both Nguyen Phuong Uyen and Le Quae Quyet displayed noticeable facial bruising in the days after the incident. During the year authorities occasionally physically prevented political activists and family members of political prisoners from meeting with foreign diplomats. Tactics included setting up barriers or guards outside diplomats' and activists' residences and calling individuals into local police stations for random and repetitive questioning. During the April visit of a senior foreign official who had traveled to the country to assess and discuss human rights conditions, the government detained one prominent activist and blocked the home of another. Consequently, the senior official was unable to meet with the activists as planned. Authorities again prevented another senior foreign official from meeting with one of the two activists in October. Authorities continued to open and censor targeted persons' mail; confiscate packages and letters; and monitor telephone conversations, e-mail, text messages, blogs, and fax transmissions. The government continued cutting the telephone lines and interrupting the cell phone and internet services of a number of political activists and their family members. The Ministry of Public Security maintains a system of household registration and block wardens to monitor the population. Wi'lile this system was less intrusive than in the past, the Ministry of Public Security continued to monitor individuals suspected of engaging, or being likely to engage, in unauthorized political activities. Credible reports suggested that local police continued to use contract thugs and citizen brigades to harass and beat political activists and others. including religious worshippers. perceived as undesirable or a threat to public security. For example. on July 3. plainclothes individuals reportedly attacked the independent Cao Dai Vinh Long Temple in Tien Gang Province and injured 12 followers. Authorities continued to harass persons suspected of being involved in unauthorized political or religious activities. The government continued to pursue a population and reproductive health strategy that set a target average number of children per couple (see section 6, Women). I Incidents of physical harassment. intimidation, and the questioning of family members by security authorities were reported in several locations, including but not limited to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nghe An Province. Le Quoc Quyet reported that plainclothes police attacked him on several occasions. Activist Bui Thi Minh Hang alleged that plainclothes police surrounded her residence for several days, and that police followed her and some family members and assaulted her son. CPV membership remained a prerequisite to career advancement for all government and government-linked organizations and businesses. Nevertheless, economic diversification continued to make membership in the CPV and CPV-controlled mass organizations less essential to financial and social advancement. During the year there were a number of land disputes and related demonstrations involving the government. On September 11. in Thai Binh City, Dang Ngoc Viet killed local land official Vo Ngoc Dung, the deputy director of Thai Binh City's Land Fund Development Center. and injured four other officials at the municipal people's committee. He killed himself several hours later. The shooting allegedly occurred over a disagreement regarding compensation for site clearance. On April 3, the HaiPhong People's Court in Tien Lang. HaiPhong, sentenced Doan Van Vuon to five years in prison. Along with several family members. the court found Doan guilty of planting mines and firing homemade guns at police. The charges stemmed from a January 2012-incidenl whereby authorities tried to evict the family from the land where they ran a shrimp business. On July 31, an appeals court upheld his conviction and sentence. According to NGO sources, the high level of public concern over land tenure and its links to political and social stability led to widespread calls for revision of http://www.state.gov/j/drllrls/hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 7 of 19 the 2003 Land Law. Citizens have acted to defend their land rights through both formal and informal methods. The number of complaints filed over land disputes has increased dramatically in the last decade. constituting 70 percent to 90 percent of all petitions and complaints. In the first 10 months of 2012, NGO sources reported that more than 97 percent of the 3,193 petitions to the government concerned land issues; only 1,106 received responses. The head of the Government Inspectorate, Huynh Phong Tranh. estimated during the year that there were at least 500 formal, unresolved land-dispute cases. SECTION 2. RESPECT FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES, INCLUDING: a. Freedom of Speech and Press Although the constitution and law provide for freedom of speech, including for members of the press, the government continued to use broad national security and antidefamation provisions to restrict these freedoms. The law defines the crimes of "sabotaging the infrastructure of socialism," "sowing divisions between religious and nonreligious people," and "propagandizing against the state' as serious offenses against national security. II also expressly forbids "taking advantage of democratic freedoms and rights to violate the interests of the state and social organizations.· Freedom of Speech: The government continued to restrict speech that criticized individual government leaders; promoted political pluralism or mulli-party democracy; or questioned policies on sensitive matters. such as human rights. religious freedom, or sovereignty disputes with China. The government also sought to impede criticism by monitoring meetings and communications of political activists. On June 15, police arrested Dinh Nhat Uy for "abusing democratic freedoms"(Article 258) for his online postings calling for the release of his brother, Dinh Nguyen Kha, who was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in May. A court convicted Dinh Nhat Uy on October 29 and released him with a sentence of 15 months' house arrest. The government tolerated some debate about sensitive political topics. From January 2 through September 30, the government solicited comments from the public on a published draft of proposed changes to the constitution. The comment period was originally slated to end March 31, but the government extended the comment period through September 30 to accommodate the high volume of comments from citizens. The government reported that it received more than 26 million comments during the nine-month comment period. Lively public discussions online and in state-owned media attracted the participation of intellectuals and retired government officials. IMlile the National Assembly approved and the president implemented what some democracy advocates described as only minor changes to the constitution. disregarding recommendations to reduce the primacy of the CPV and allow for multi-party democracy, the comment period served to expand the range of public political discussion the government permitted during the year. Nevertheless, although for the most part authorities tolerated political discussion during the comment period, on February 26, owners of the state-run newspaper Family and Society dismissed journalist Nguyen Dac Kien immediately after he posted a blog entry criticizing CPV General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trang. Kien had called for the elimination of Article 4 of the constitution, which affirms the primacy of the CPV. Press Freedoms: The CPV, government, and party-controlled mass organizations controlled all print. broadcas!, and_ ~lectronic media. The government exercised oversight through the Ministry of Information and Communications, under the overall guidance of the CPV Propaganda and Education Commission. Private ownership of any media outlet remained prohibited, as were media outlets run by private citizens. The government permitted foreign based outlets (including, but not limited to, BBC and CNN), although the law requires foreign television broadcasts to run on a 30-minute delay in order to monitor their content. Foreign journalists noted that they continued to be required to notify authorities about travel outside Hanoi when it involved a story that the government might consider sensitive or was in an area considered sensitive, such as the Northwest or Central Highlands. The law limits satellite television access to senior officials, foreigners. luxury hotels. and the press, but persons throughout the country continued to be able to access foreign programming via home satellite equipment or cable. Cable television. including foreign-origin channels, was widely available to urban-area subscribers. On May 15, Decision 20 went into effect after repeated delays. Among other provisions. this decision requires foreign broadcasters to obtain licenses from the Ministry of Information and Communications and to agree to have a government-approved agency translate the content before a program is broadcast. In some cases. the broadcast channels bear the translation costs. Only 16 channels had licenses when the decision went into effect. In response to the decision. one provider immediately pulled all its foreign channels, and several others cut networks, such as BBC and CNN. Soon afterward, all foreign channels were again available through television providers due to the government's apparent relaxation of implementation of the decision after a public outcry. Observers heavily criticized the decision for its potential to restrict freedom of speech and limit access to independent, outside media sources. At year's end, allhough the decision remained in effect, the government was not enforcing it strictly. Violence and Harassment: Security officials attacked or threatened several journalists reportedly because of their coverage of sensitive stories. On April 24, journalists Hoang Ngoc and Nam Phong of the website Nguoiduatin reported that a traffic police officer confiscated their camera while they were filming police soliciting tlribes and that two unknown assailants threatened them with a knife later the same day. Multiple foreign journalists reported harassment by security officials. including threats not to renew their visas if they continued to publish stories on "sensitive" topics. Censorship or Content Restrictions: The Ministry of Information and Communications and the Propaganda and Education Commission frequently intervened directly to dictate or censor a story. More often, however, the party and government maintained control over media content through pervasive self censorship backed by the threat of dismissal and possible arrest. http:/ /www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244 .htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 8 of 19 Authorities continued efforts to suppress press freedom. Decree 2 stipulates fines of VND 1 million to VND 42 million ($47 to $1.990) for journalists. newspapers. and online media that fail to provide "honest domestic and international news in accordance with the interests of the country and the people." The decree also authorizes the government to fine journalists and newspapers for infringing content at any time. based on nontransparent determinations by various ministries and officials. Furthermore. the decree establishes fines ranging from VND 10.5 million to VND 21 million ($497 to $994) for journalists who fail to publish their sources of information and for journalists and newspapers that "use documents and materials from organizations and personal letters and materials from individuals." Under government regulations. the Ministry of Information and Communications has the authority to revoke licenses for foreign publishers. and each foreign publisher must reapply annually to maintain its license. Nonetheless. street peddlers and shops oriented to tourists openly sold foreign-language editions of some banned books. Foreign-language periodicals were widely available in cities, although the government occasionally censored articles. libel Laws/National Security: The law requires journalists to pay monetary damages to individuals or organizations whose reputations were harmed by reporting, even if the reports were accurate. Independent observers noted that the law severely limited investigative reporting. Although there were some press reports during the year on topics that generally were considered sensitive, such as the prosecution of high-ranking CPV and government officials on corruption charges as well as occasional criticism of officials and official associations, the freedom to criticize the CPV and its senior leadership remained restricted. On June 15, police arrested Ph am Viet Dao, a writer and blogger who had become increasingly critical of government officials in the blog he published under the pen name of Phu Loc Tho. Dao is a member of the Association of Vietnamese Writers and the Association of Vietnamese Journalists and former head of the Press and Publications Inspection Bureau. In August the Ministry of Information and Communication's Publishing Department banned the two-volume novel Dai Gia (Tycoons) by Nguyen Xuan Hoang (also known as Thien Son). The novel details hidden connections between corrupt government officials and state-run corporations. INTERNET FREEDOM The government continued to exercise various forms of control over internet access, including disincentives to its use by citizens. It allowed access to the internet, but only through a limited number of internet service providers (ISPs). all of which were state-controlled companies or companies with substantial state control. According to government statistics, nearly 36 percent of citizens had access to the internet. The government used firewalls to block websites it deemed politically or culturally inappropriate, including sites operated by overseas Vietnamese political groups. In addition, the government continued at times throughout the year to block Radio Free Asia and the BBC Vietnamese and English web sites. Vague provisions of law and regulation. such as the prohibition of propagandizing against the state, prohibit bloggers from posting material that the government believes would undermine national security, disclose state secrets. or incite violence or crimes. These provisions prohibit individuals from downloading and disseminating documents the government deems offensive. During the year the government continued its efforts to suppress blogging through politically motivated arrests and convictions of bloggers. Authorities also increasingly deployed less traditional methods to harass bloggers, including through short-term detentions, surveillance, hacking, direct and veiled threats to individuals and family members, and searches of individual property. Regulations also require global internet companies with blogging platforms operating in the country to report to the government every six months and, if requested, to provide information about individual bloggers. A number of prominent print and online news journalists maintained their own professional blogs, several of which observers considered far more controversial than their mainstream writing. In a few instances, the government fined or punished these individuals for the content of their blogs. Ministry of Information and Communications regulations require internet companies, social networking sites, and websites that provide information in the areas of "politics, economics. culture. and society," including those owned domestically. to continue to register and obtain a government license before operation. The ministry also requires such owners to submit their planned content and scope to the government for approval. Enforcement remained selective. The government forbids direct access to the internet through foreign ISPs. requires domestic ISPs to store information transmitted on the internet for at least 15 days, and requires ISPs to provide technical assistance and workspace to public security agents to allow them to monitor internet activities. The government requires cybercafes to register the personal information of their customers and store records of internet sites visited by customers. It also requires ISPs and cybercafes to participate in investigations of online activity. I SP compliance with these government regulations remained unclear. Although citizens enjoyed increasing access to the internet. the government monitored e-mail, searched for sensitive key words, and regulated internet content. On July 15. the government promulgated Decree 72/2013/ND-CP, which came into effect on September 1. The decree adds new restrictions on the sharing of news articles published on government and media-outlet websites. The broad. vague language contained throughout Decree 72 potentially limits freedom of expression and increased uncertainty regarding how businesses legally may store, transmit, and share online information in the country. The decree also strictly forbids the use of internet services to oppose the .government; harm national security, social order. and safety; or propagandize war, terrorism, hatred, violence, or superstition. City and provincial authorities issued additional local regulations to control online access. In compliance, internet cafes continued to install and use government-approved software to monitor customers' online activities. Internet cafes located within 220 yards of a school continued to require a http://www.state.gov/j/drllrls!hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 9 of 19 curfew on operations. and tSPs were obliged to cut online access to internet cafes between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. for the official purpose of curbing online gaming. The blocking of Facebook was less common than in previous years and remained inconsistent among ISPs. areas, and times. Some domestic subscribers reported using workarounds, such as virtual private networks, to access blocked sites. In October some estimates of the total number of Facebook users countrywide reached 20 million. Authorities detained and imprisoned some activists who used the internet to criticize the government and publish material on human rights and political pluralism. Authorities charged most of these individuals under Article 258 (abusing democratic freedoms) or Article 79 (attempting to overthrow the state). On January 9. a Nghe An Province court convicted 13 Roman Catholic Redemptorist bloggers for "attempting to overthrow the state" (Article 79). The court sentenced Ho Due Hoa. Dang Xuan Dieu. and Ly Van Son to 13 years' imprisonment each for their links to the banned prodemocracy group Viet Tan. The other 10 received sentences from three to six years' imprisonment. State-owned ISPs routinely blocked Vietnamese-language websites within the country when they contained content criticizing the CPV or promoting political reform. The government also filtered Vietnamese-language web sites operating outside of the country, particularly those that criticized the government or contained negative news stories about Vietnam. In addition, two websites associated with the Dega ethnic minority community in the Central Highlands were routinely blocked. Political dissidents and bloggers continued to report that security services routinely ordered the disconnection of their home internet service. ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND CULTURAL EVENTS The government asserted the right to restrict academic freedom, and authorities sometimes questioned and monitored foreign field researchers. Foreign academic professionals temporarily working at universities in the country could discuss nonpolitical topics widely and freely in classes. but government observers regularly attended classes taught by both foreigners and nationals. Academic publications usually reflected the views of the CPV and government. The government continued to restrict the ability of some international and domestic organizations to host conferences with international sponsorship or participation by requiring government approval at least 20 days in advance. The government continued to prohibit independent scientific and technical organizations from publicly criticizing party and state policy and to deny educational opportunity to individuals who do so. Activist Nguyen Phuong Uyen reported that her university did not allow her to resume her studies after she was released from prison on August 16. Uyen reported that her university expelled her in November, effective immediately.· Although the government controlled art exhibits, music, and other cultural activities. it continued to allow artists broader latitude than in past years to choose themes for their works. The government also allowed universities more autonomy over international exchanges and cooperation programs. b. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY The law limits freedom of assembly, and the government continued to restrict and monitor all forms of public protest or gathering. Law and regulation require persons wishing to gather in a group to apply for a permit, which local authorities may issue or deny arbitrarily. Only those arranging publicized gatherings to discuss sensitive matters appeared to require permits, and persons routinely gathered in informal groups without government interference. The government generally did not permit demonstrations perceived to be political. The government also restricted the right of several unregistered religious groups to gather in worship. Peaceful protests continued during the year in Hanoi to oppose Chinese sovereignty claims in the South China Sea (East Sea) and resulted in the temporary detention and surveillance of several protest organizers. There were also reports that local security officials prevented individuals from leaving their homes to take part in the demonstrations. On May 5, police prevented activists from holding peaceful "human rights" outdoor picnics and distributing copies of the UDHR in parks in Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang. Several individuals who attempted to participate were reportedly beaten and temporarily detained. In December over a several-day period, activists who gathered in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Da Nang to celebrate Human Rights Day reported multiple cases of harassment. surveillance, impeded movement. confiscation of documents and cell phones, and at least two short-term detentions by police. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION The government continued to restrict freedom of association severely and neither permitted nor tolerated opposition political parties, despite efforts by several former CPV officials to form opposition parties during the year. The government prohibited the establishment of private. independent organizations, insisting that persons work within established. party-controlled, mass organizations, usually under the aegis of the VFF. Some entities. including unregistered religious groups, were able to operate outside of this framework with little or no government interference. c. Freedom of Religion http://www.state.gov~j/drVrlslhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 10 of 19 See the Department of State's lntemational Religious Freedom Report at www.state.gov/j/drliirf/rpl/. d. Freedom of Movement, Internally Displaced Persons, Protection of Refugees, and Stateless Persons The constitution provides for freedom of internal movement. foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation. but the government imposed some limits on the movement of certain individuals. The government generally cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to internally displaced persons. refugees, returning refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons. and other persons of concern. Local government authorities did not hinder the UNHCR fact-finding and monitoring visits to the Mekong Delta. Hue, Da Nang, and the Northwest Highlands. Provincial governments generally continued to honor their obligations to reintegrate peacefully ethnic minority returnees from Cambodia. In-country Movement: Several political dissidents, amnestied with probation or under house arrest. were officially restricted in their movements. These induded Le Gong Dinh. Pham Hong Son. Nguyen Van Dai, Nguyen Phuong Uyen, and Dinh Nhat Uy. A government restriction regarding travel to certain areas requires citizens and resident foreigners to obtain a permit to visit border areas; defense facilities; industrial zones involved in national defense; areas of "national strategic storage"; and "works of extreme importance for political, economic, cultural, and social purposes." Local police require citizens to register when staying overnight in any location outside of their own homes; the government appeared to enforce these requirements more strictly in some Central and Northern Highlands districts. Foreign passport holders must also register to stay in private homes. although there were no known cases of local authorities refusing to allow foreign visitors to stay with friends and family. Authorities did not broadly implement this residence law, and migration from rural areas to cities continued unabated. Moving without permission, however. hampered persons seeking legal residence permits, public education. and health-<:are benefits. Foreign Travel: Officials occasionally continued to delay citizens' access to passports to extort bribes. Prospective emigrants occasionally encountered difficulties obtaining a passport. Foreign travel prohibitions-apparently aimed at punishing the exercise of free speech-continued. In September authorities prevented Dang Huu Hoang Gia. a member of the Vietnamese Friendship Association of Former Political and Religious Prisoners. from travelling to Manila to attend a civil society course held by the Vietnamese Observers Initiative for Conscience Empowerment. Although their probation ended years earlier, the government continued to prohibit dissidents Nguyen.Khac,Toan. Pham Hong Son, Le Thi Kim Thu, Vu Quoc Tu. Le Tran Luat, and others from receiving a passport and traveling overseas. Emigration and Repatriation: The government generally permitted citizens who had emigrated to return to visit, although it refused to allow certain activists or other individuals living abroad to return. Police denied entry visas to, or detained, and sometimes deported, some known Vietnamese political activists after they entered or re-entered the country. The government continued to honor a tripartite memorandum of understanding signed with Cambodia and the UNHCR to facilitate the return from Cambodia of all ethnic Vietnamese who did not qualify for third-country resettlement. PROTECTION OF REFUGEES Access to Asylum: The law does not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. Safe Country of OriginfTransit: Government regulations and policy do not explicitly provide protection against the expulsion or return of persons where their lives or freedom would be threatened on account of their race, religion. nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. No such cases were reported during the year. STATELESS PERSONS By law, the·government considers anyone born to at least one Vietnamese-citizen parent to be a citizen. There are also provisions for persons who do not have a Vietnamese-citizen parent to acquire citizenship under certain conditions. The country's largest stateless group consisted of approximately 10,000 Cambodian residents, according to a UNHCR statistic. These individuals sought refuge in Vietnam in the 1970s and were denied the right to return by the government of Cambodia, which asserted no proof existed that these individuals had ever possessed Cambodian citizenship. Almost all were ethnic Chinese or Vietnamese whom authorities initially settled in four refugee camps in and around Ho Chi Minh City. When humanitarian assistance in these camps ceased in 1994. an estimated 6,000-7,000 refugees left the camps in search of work and opportunities in Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding area. An additional 1,000-1,500 persons remained in four villages in which the camps once operated. according to the UNHCR. Many had children and grandchildren born in Vietnam. but neither the original refugees nor their children enjoy the same rights as Vietnamese citizens. induding the rights to property ownership, comparable access to education. and public medical care. http://www.state.gov/j/drllr1slhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 11 of 19 As part of a joint UNHCR-government effort to survey and naturalize these stateless persons, 287 individuals received Vietnamese citizenship in 2010. UNHCR Vietnam's September 2013 fact sheet reported that all 2,357 persons living in the four camps have been naturalized. Furthermore, the government continued to work with former Cambodian refugees living in Ho Chi Minh City. and by the end of 2012,6,700 persons had been naturalized. Government authorities estimated that fewer than 200 individuals awaited final approval by the president's office at yea~s end. The Women's Union, a countrywide CPV-affiliated mass mobilization organization, continued to work with the government of South Korea to address international marriage brokering and premarriage counseling, induding education on immigration and citizenship regulations. Some domestic and .international NGOs provided assistance. SECTION 3. RESPECT FOR POLITICAL RIGHTS: THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS TO CHANGE THEIR GOVERNMENT The constitution does not provide for the right of citizens to change their government peacefully. and citizens could not freely choose the officials that govern them. Elections and Political Participation Recent Elections: The most recent elections-in 2011 to select members of the National Assembly--were neither free nor fair. The VFF chose and vetted all candidates. The ratio of "independent" candidates (those not linked to a certain organization or group) to other candidates was lower than that of the 2007 election. The CPV allowed 15 "self-nominated" candidates who did not have official government backing to run. There were credible reports that party officials pressured many other se~-nominated candidates to withdraw or found such candidates "ineligible" to run. Acconding to the government, more than 99 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2011 election. a figure that international observers considered improbably high. (Voters may cast ballots by proxy, and local authorities are charged with assuring that all eligible voters cast ballots by organizing group voting and assuring all voters within their jurisdiction are recorded as having voted.) CPV candidates won 458 of the 500 seats. Four of the 15 self nominated candidates won. The National Assembly, although subject to CPV control (all of its senior leaders and more than 90 percent of its members are party members), continued to take incremental steps to assert itself as a legislative body. For example, under a law effective January 1, the president, prime minister. cabinet members, Supreme People's Courtjustices, and the National Assembly president must submit to an annual vote of support in the National Assembly. On June 11, during the first confidence vote, 160 of the 500 members voted against the prime minister, with other top officials also scoring poorly. Many observers commented that the "low-confidence" votes were merely an attempt to deflect growing public aiticism against the CPV and the government, noting the lack of a "no-confidence" option. Political Parties: The constitution vests all authority and political power in one party. the CPV, and recognizes the leadership of the CPV. The CPV Politburo functions as the supreme'decision-making body in the country, although technically it reports to the CPV Central Committee. Political opposition movements and other political parties are illegal. The government continued to restrict severely public debate and criticism of the one-party state. In contrast with previous years, the government tolerated some criticism of the one-party state during the January 1 to September 30 comment period on the draft constitution. Some groups and individuals openly called for amending Article 4 and permitting multi-party demoaacy. There were instances during the year of unsanctioned public letters from private citizens critical of government policy. Members of Bloc 8406 and other political activist groups that call for the creation of a multi-party state continued to face harassment and imprisonment In May approximately 70 individuals, induding former political prisoner Nguyen Van Dai. established a political organizations called "The Brotherhood for Demoaacy" to facilitate collective democratic action. In August state media launched a campaign against the credibility of Le Hieu Dang, a 45-year member of the CPV, after he formed the Social Demoaatic Party, a political organization that he called an "opposition party." Participation of Women and Minorities: The law provides the opportunity for equal participation in politics by women and minority groups. There were 122 women (approximately 24 percent) in the National Assembly, two female ministers in the 28-member cabinet, one woman in the 14-member Politburo. and no women in the 17 -member Supreme People's Court. Ethnic minorities held 78 seats (approximately 16 percent) in the National Assembly. SECTION 4. CORRUPTION AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption; however. the government did not always implement the law effectively, and officials sometimes engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Corruption: Corruption continued to be a major problem. The government persisted in efforts to fight corruption. including publicizing central government budgets, streamlining inspection measures, and occasionally widely publidzing cases of officials accused of corruption. The amended anticorruption law took effect on February 1. It allows citizens to complain openly about inefficient government. administrative procedures, corruption, and economic policy, although the government considered public political criticism a crime unless authorities controlled it. Therefore, the law prohibits attempts to http:/ /www.state.gov(j/drl/rls/hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 12 of 19 organize disaffected citizens to facilitate action, and perpetrators were subject to arrest. Corruption related to land use was widely publicized in the press. apparently in an officially orchestrated effort to bring pressure on local officials to reduce abuses. Corruption among police remained a significant problem at all levels. and members of the police sometimes acted with impunity. Internal police oversight structures existed but were subject to political influence. Foreign-aid donors conducted an annual anticorruption dialogue as part of consultative group meetings with the government. Previous dialogues focused on corruption in the education, health, and construction sectors. In January the CPV launched its Central Commission for Internal Affairs, which is tasked with fighting corruption, with Da Nang politician Nguyen Ba Thanh as its chief. On July 16, the People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City sentenced a group of former officials and leaders of the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) for "wrongly facilitating" a businessman to appropriate near1y VND 112 billion ($5.3 million) in loans. The court sentenced Dao Phuong The. the former head of the Planning Department, and Huynh Trung Hieu, the former credit staff member of Agribank, to 12 and 22 years in prison, respectively. The court also sentenced Nguyen Huu Long, former deputy director of Agribank. to 10 years and six months in prison. In September Ho Chi Minh City authorities and the party committee disciplined eight top officials at four municipal public service companies found to have violated labor regulations in a scheme through which they paid themselves up to VND 2.7 billion ($128,000) annually. The average salary for the executives at the tour companies reportedly reached VND 220 million ($10,400) a month, compared with the average salary ofVND 7.3 million ($346) at comparable state-owned companies. Whistleblower Protections: The law does not provide protection to public or private employees for making internal disdosures or lawful public disdosures of evidence of illegality, gross waste or fraud, gross mismanagement, abuse of power. or substantial and specific dangers to public health and safety. Financial Disclosure: The amended anticorruption law requires senior government officials and National Assembly members to disclose publidy their income and assets and explain changes from the previous year's disdosure. Previously, authorities did not make such disdosures public. In addition. supervisors have the right to question an employee's disdosure. The law does not stipulate a penalty for noncompliance. although a July decree (Decree 78) provides for possible reprimand, warning. suspension, or removal for noncompliant civil servants. Public Access to Information: The law does not provide for public access to government information, and the government usually did not grant such access to citizens or noncitizens, induding foreign media. In accordance with the law, the Official Gazette published most government legal documents in its daily editions but not party documents such as Politburo decrees. The government maintained a website in both Vietnamese and English, as did the National Assembly. In addition. decisions made by the Supreme People's Court Council of Judges were accessible a majority of the time through the court's website. although it was difficult for individuals to obtain government information. SECTION 5. GOVERNMENTAL ATTITUDE REGARDING INTERNATIONAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS The government does not permit private. local human rights organizations to form or operate, nor does it tolerate attempts by organizations or individuals to comment publidy on its human rights practices. The government used a wide variety of methods to suppress domestic criticism of its human rights policies. induding surveillance: detention: prosecution and imprisonment: interference with personal communications: and limits on the exercise of freedoms of speech, press. and assembly. UN and Other International Bodies: The government generally prohibited private citizens from contacting international human rights organizations, although several activists did so. The government usually did not permit visits by international NGO human rights monitors, although it allowed representatives from the UNHCR, press, foreign governments, and international development and relief NGOs to visit the Central Highlands. In February the government allowed a senior official from Amnesty International to visit for six days. The government allowed a visit by the UN special rapporteur on cultural rights in 2013 and formally invited the UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to visit in 2014. The government criticized most public statements on human rights and religious matters by international NGOs and foreign governments. Government Human Rights Bodies: There were no ombudspersons, human rights commissions, or legislative committees specifically designed to handle human rights matters. The government continued to discuss human rights matters bilaterally with several foreign governments and hold official talks concerning human rights. induding through annual dialogues. SECTION 6. DISCRIMINATION, SOCIETAL ABUSES, AND TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS The law prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, disability, language, or social status, but enforcement of these prohibitions was uneven. and the law does not address discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Women Rape and Domestic Violence: The law prohibits using or threatening violence against women or taking advantage of a person who cannot act in self defense. It also criminatizes rape. induding spousal rape. Rapists are subject to two to seven years' imprisonment. In severe cases of rape, induding organized rape, a repeat offense, or extreme harm to the victim. sentences may range from seven to 15 years in prison. Authorities reportedly prosecuted rape cases tully, but the government did not release arrest, prosecution, conviction, or punishment statistics. http://www.state.gov(j/drVrlslhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244 .htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 13 of 19 Domestic violence against women was common. A special 2010 UN report found that 58 percent of married women had been victims of physical, sexual. or emotional domestic violence. Authorities treated domestic violence cases as civil ones, unless the victim suffered injuries involving more than 11 percent of her body. The law specifies acts constituting domestic violence, assigns specific portfolio responsibilities to different government agencies and ministries, and stipulates punishments for perpetrators ranging from warnings and probation for up to three years to imprisonment for three months to three years. NGO and survivor advocates considered many of the provisions weak. and the government did not release arrest. prosecution, conviction, or punishment statistics. Officials acknowledged domestic violence as a significant social concern, and the media discussed it openly during the year. W"lile the police and legal system generally remained unequipped to deal with cases of domestic violence, the government. with the help of international and domestic NGOs, continued to train police, lawyers, and legal system officials in the law. According to a March report by the Vietnamese Central Women's Union and the Ministry of Culture, Sports. and Tourism, authorities recorded 178,847 domestic violence cases between 2009 and mid-2012, of which more than 16,000 cases involved elders and 23,300 involved children, with the majority of the rest involving spouses, mostly wives. Several domestic and international NGOs worked to address domestic violence. Domestic NGOs operated hotlines for victims in major cities. The Center for Women and Development, supported by the Women's Union, also operated a nationwide hotline, although it was not widely advertised in rural areas. Although rural areas often lacked the financial resources to provide crisis centers and hotlines, a law establishes ·reliable residences" to allow women to turn to another family while local authorities and community leaders attempt to confront the abuser and resolve complaints. There were 300 such residences in the country, all established through the Women's Union at the commune level. Many women remained in abusive marriages rather than confront social and family stigma as well as economic uncertainty. The government, with the help of international NGOs, continued to support workshops and seminars aimed at educating women and men about domestic violence and women's rights in general and highlighted the problem through public awareness campaigns. Local NGOs affiliated with the Women's Union remained engaged in women's concerns. particularly violence against women and trafficking of women and children. Sexual Harassment: No law prohibits sexual harassment of adults, and no law protects employees from sexual harassment in the workplace, although the law does prohibit employers from discriminating against female workers or offending their dignity and honor. A labor code prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. Publications and training on ethical regulations for government and other public servants do not mention the problem, although it existed. Victims of sexual harassment may contact social associations such as the Women's Union to request their involvement. Victims with access to a labor union representative may lodge complaints with union officers. In serious cases, victims may sue offenders under a provision that deals with "humiliating other persons" and specifies punishments that include a warning, noncustodial reform for up to two years, or a prison term ranging from three months to two years. Nevertheless, there were no known prosecutions or sexual harassment lawsuits during the year, and most victims were unwilling to denounce offenders publicly. Reproductive Rights: The constitution obliges society, families, and all citizens to implement "tlhe population and family planning program." The law affirms an individual's right to choose contraceptive methods; access gynecological diagnosis, treatment, and health check-ups during pregnancy; and obtain medical services when giving birth at health facilities, and the government generally enforced these provisions. Nonetheless, unmarried women of reproductive ages continued to have limited or no access to subsidized contraceptives due to a lack of available government-approved contraceptives throughout the country. The social stigma attached to unmarried women who seek contraceptives further limited access. The government allocated additional resources for family planning services in 2010 with a goal of increasing the contraceptive prevalence rate to 80 percent by 2015. The Population and Reproductive Health Strategy for 2011-20 applies to all citizens and strives to maintain the average number of children per reproductive age couple at 1.8. The government, primarily through broad media campaigns. maintained its strong encouragement of family planning. A decree issued by the Politburo subjects CPV members to reprimand if they have three children, removal from a ranking position if they have four children, and expulsion from the CPV if they have five children. Violating the decree also increased the likelihood of job termination and decreased the likelihood of promotion. Discrimination: The law provides for gender equality in all aspects of life, but women continued to face societal discrimination. Despite the large body of law and regulation devoted to the protection of women's rights in marriage and the workplace, as well as provisions that call for preferential treatment. women did not always receive equal treatment. They continued to experience discrimination since they were not allowed to work in all the same industries or for the same hours as men (due to pregnancy or nursing). Moreover, no laws prohibit employers from asking about family status during job interviews. Women are expected to retire at age 55, compared with age 60 for men. Although the law provides for equal inheritance rights for men and women, women continued to face cultural discrimination: A son is more likely to inherii property tlhan a daughter is, unless otherwise specified by a legal document. A 2012 UN Development Program (UNDP)-funded study on land rights concluded that the law and cultural stereotypes limited women's access to land ownership and inheritance. The law also prohibits gender-based preferential hiring for jobs, and while NGOs assumed that such discrimination occurred, allegations were hard to prove. The Women's Union and the government's National Committee for the Advancement of Women continued to promote women's rights, including political, economic, and legal equality, and protection from spousal abuse. The Women's Union also operated microcredit consumer-finance programs and other programs to promote the advancement of women. The government's National Strategy Plan for Gender Equality 2011-20 asserted that substantive equality between men and women should be provided in opportunity, participation, and benefits in the political. economic, cultural, and social domains to contribute to fast, sustainable national development. During a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City in August to review the 30-year implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and to discuss other measures related to gender equality and women's rights, the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs reported http:/ /www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244 .htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 14 of 19 that women accounted for 48 percent of an estimated 1.5 million workers. The law requires equal pay for equal work in principle, but many women complained about receiving lower pay than male counterparts do. Gender-based Sex Selection: According to the UNDP, the national average male-female sex ratio at birth in 2012 was 112.3 to 100. The imbalanced ratio of newborn boys to girls continued to increase during the year. particularly in some wealthier areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The government acknowledged the problem (reduction of the ratio was a highlighted goal in the National Program on Gender Equality) and continued to take steps to address it. The Ministry of Health received additional funds and resources to address the imbalance. Children Birth Registration: By law, the government considers anyone born to at least one Vietnamese citizen parent to be a citizen. although persons born to non Vietnamese parents may also acquire citizenship under certain circumstances. Not all births were registered immediately, sometimes reportedly due to a lack of incentive or knowledge among the populace. A birth certificate is required for public services, such as education and health care, and the choice by some parents. especially ethnic minorities, not to register their children affected the ability to enroli them in school and receive government-sponsored health care. Education: Education is compulsory, free, and universal through age 14. Nevertheless, authorities did not always enforce the requirement, or enforce it equally betv.:een boys and girls, especially in rural areas, where government and family budgets for education were limited and children's contributions as agricultural laborers were valuable. Child Abuse: The UN and the General Statistics Office reported in 2011 that 25 percent of children were victims of child abuse, as indicated by their mothers during a 2006 study on domestic violence. Acconding to a newspaper report, the Ministries of Public Security and of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLl SA) reported in May 2012 that approximately 1,000 children were sexually abused per year. NGOs noted the difficulty of obtaining accurate data on the prevalence of child and adolescent sexual abuse, which indicated the possibility of underreported abuse. The government made no information available on the extent of the problem or its efforts to combat it. Forced and Early Marriage: The legal minimum age of marriage is 18 for girls and 20 for boys, and the law criminalizes organizing marriage for, or entering into marriage with, an underage person. Possible punishments for arranging early marriages range from administrative sanctions to prison terms of between three months and two years. The rate of marriage under age 18 was approximately 16 percent in the Northwest Highlands and approximately 11 percent in the Central Highlands-both poor and remote rural areas-seconding to the 2009 census, but additional government data were not available. Provincial authorities and the Women's Union are responsible for raising popular awareness of the consequences of early marriage. Sexual Exploitation of Children: Sexual harassment of children under age 16 is illegal. The law criminalizes all acts of sale, fraudulent exchange, or control of children as well as all acts related to child prostitution and forced child labor. Sentences range from three years' to life imprisonment, and fines range from VND 5 million to VND 50 million ($237 to $2,370). The law also specifies prison sentences for acts related to child prostitution, including harboring prostitution (12 to 20 years), brokering prostitution (seven to 15 years), and buying sex with minors (three to 15 years). Similarly, the law prohibits all acts of cruel treatment, humiliation. abduction, sale, and coercion of children into any activities harmful to their healthy development and provides for the protection and care of disadvantaged children. The minimum age of consensual sex is 18. Statutory ·rape is illegal and may result in life imprisonment or capital punishment. Penalties for sex with minors between the ages of 16 and 18, depending upon the circumstances, vary from five to 10 years in prison. The government enforced the law, and convicted rapists received harsh sentences. The production, distribution. dissemination, or selling of child pornography is illegal and carries a sentence of three to 10 years' imprisonment. Officials publicly cited an upwand trend in sexual exploitation of children. A 2011 study conducted by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in conjunction with MOLl SA showed that children as young as 12 worked as prostitutes, with the most commonly observed ages being 14 to 15. Some minors entered into prostitution for economic reasons. The findings also highlighted an increased number of boys under the age of 16 who engaged in prostitution. UNICEF and local NGOs stated that provincial authorities severely underreported the actual occurrence of child prostitution. Displaced Children: Independent NGOs estimated that 23,000-25,000 children lived on the streets and were sometimes abused or harassed by police. Institutionalized Children: The government allocated VND 1.25 trillion ($59.2 million) to the National Program of Action for Children for the period 2012-20 and focused on assisting disadvantaged children in the 12 poorest provinces. International Child Abductions: The country is not a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Anti-Semitism There were small expatriate Jewish communities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and there were no reports of anti-Semitic acts. Trafficking in Persons See the Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report at www.state.gov/j/tip/. Persons with Disabilities http://www.state.gov/j/drllrlslhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 15 of 19 The constitution provides for the protection of persons with physical disabilities. The law prohibits discrimination against or maltreatment of persons with physical and mental disabilities. encourages their employment. and requires equality for them in accommodation. access to education. employment, health care, rehabilitation. local transportation, and vocational training. There was no similar provision regarding persons with sensory or intellectual disabilities. The provision of services to' persons with disabilities. although limited, improved during the year. The Ministry of Transportation implemented accessibility codes for public transportation facilities, continued to train transportation agency officials and students on the use of the codes. and developed training materials for bus drivers to assist individuals on and off buses. The government also reduced the bus fares for 33.000 individuals with disabilities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The law requires construction and major renovations of new government and large public buildings to include access for persons with disabilities. but enforcement continued to be sporadic. New buildings and facilities in larger urban cities were built with ramps and accessible entries. The Ministry of Construction maintained enforcement units in the cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh. Da Nang, Quang Nam. HaiPhong, and Ninh Binh to enforce barrier-free codes and provided training on construction codes for inspectors and architectural companies in more than 22 provinces during the year. Access to education for children with disabilities, inducting blindness. deafness, and mobility restrictions. remained extremely limited. There was no information available on the atlendance by children with disabilities at primary, secondary. and higher-education schools. The law provides preferential treatment for companies that recruit persons with disabilities and fines on those that fail to meet minimum quotas that reserve 2 to 3 percent of the positions in the firm for workers with disabilities. but the government enforced these provisions unevenly. Companies with a workforce that is composed of at least 51 percent employees with disabilities may qualify for special government-subsidized loans. The government assisted persons with disabilities to vote in 2011 by bringing ballot boxes to the homes of individuals unable to go to a polling station. There is no legal restriction on the right to vote for persons with disabilities, although many polling stations are not accessible. especially to persons with mobility disabilities. The government supported the establishment of organizations aiding persons with disabilities and consulted them in the development or review of national programs, such as the national poverty reduction program. vocational laws. and various educational policies. The National Coordination Committee on Disabilities and its members from various ministries continued to work with domestic and foreign organizations to provide protection, support, physical access, education, and employment. The government operated a small network of rehabilitation centers to provide long-term. inpatient physical therapy. Several provinces, government agencies. and universities had specific programs for persons with disabilities. National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities The law prohibits discrimination against ethnic minorities, but there was no information available on government enforcement measures. Societal discrimination against ethnic minorities has been longstanding and persistent. Local officials in some provinces, notably in the highlands, acted in contravention of national laws to discriminate against members of ethnic and religious minority groups. Despite the country's significant economic growth. some ethnic minority communities benefited little from improved economic conditions. even though ethnic minority group members formed a majority. of the population in certain areas. inducting the Northwest and Central Highlands and portions of the Mekong Delta. Some members of ethnic mjnority groups continued to le.ave for Cambodia and Thailand. Although some reportedly traveled to seek greater economic opportunities or shortcuts to migration to other countries. others departed because of local political conditions and harassment, including harassment stemming from religious belief. The government maintained increased security measures in the Central and Northwest Highlands because of its concerns with alleged ethnic minority separatist activity. The government also continued to monitor certain highland minorities closely, particula~y several ethnic groups in the Central and Northwest Highlands. where it continued to claim that practicing a minority faith encouraged separatism. There continued to be reports that ethnic minority individuals who telephoned ethnic minority community members abroad were a special target of police attention. Authorities arrested and/or convicted several individuals allegedly connected to overseas organizations that the government claimed espoused separatist aims and sentenced them to lengthy prison terms during the year. In addition, an increased security presence was reported around sensitive occasions and holidays throughout the region. There continued to be reports that Vietnamese police operating on both sides of the border returned members of ethnic minorities seeking to enter Cambodia and sometimes beat and detained them. In May authorities arrested four Khmer Krom activists in Soc Trang for "fleeing abroad to act against the Vietnamese government" and "organizing for other people to flee abroad." as well as for their connections with Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation. In September a court sentenced each of the four to between two and six years' imprisonment. The government continued to atlempt to address the causes of ethnic minority discontent through special programs to improve education and health facilities and expand road access and electrification of rural communities and villages. The government also continued to allocate land to ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands through a special program, but there were continued complaints that implementation was uneven. The law provides for universal education for children regardless of religion or ethnicity, and members of ethnic minority groups are not required to pay regular school fees. The government operated special schools for ethnic minority children, and there were 292 boarding schools for them in 50 provinces. mostly in the Northwest and Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta. including at middle- and high-school levels. plus special admission and preparatory programs as well as scholarships and preferential admissions at the university level. The government also worked with local officials to develop local language curricula. but it appeared to implement this program more comprehensively in the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta, and only in limited areas of the Northwest Highlands. During the year there were also a few government-subsidized technical and vocational schools for ethnic minorities. Nonetheless. there were some credible cases of educational discrimination against ethnic minorities. http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244 .htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 16 of 19 The government broadcast radio and television programs in ethnic minority languages in some areas. The government also instructed ethnic-majority (Kinh) officials to team the language of the locality in which they worked. Provincial governments continued initiatives designed to increase employment, reduce the income gap between ethnic minorities and ethnic Kinh, and make officials sensitive and receptive to ethnic minority cultures and traditions. The government granted preferential treatment to domestic and foreign companies that invested in highland areas populated predominantly by ethnic minorities. The government also maintained infrastructure development programs that targeted poor, largely ethnic-minority areas and established agricultural extension programs for remote rural areas. The National Assembly's Ethnic Minority Council, along with provincial ethnic minority steering committees, continued to support infrastructure development and address some problems related to poverty reduction and an increase in literacy rates during the year. Societal Abuses, Discrimination, and Acts of Violence Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity The law does not address discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. There was no reported official discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, but societal discrimination and stigma remained pervasive. No laws criminalize consensual same-sex sexual conduct, although by decree individuals may not change their gender. In May the Institute for Studies of Society, Economics. and Environment. a nonprofit organization working for the rights of minority groups, released statistics that reported approximately 1.65 million individuals in the country identified as LGBT. In August approximately 200 activists took part in "Viet Pride 2013," a gay pride parade in Hanoi. In November the National Assembly endorsed revisions to the law that would grant same-sex couples the same property, contractual, and child-custody protections afforded to heterosexual married couples. Other Societal Violence or Discrimination The law states that employers may not fire individuals for having HIV/AIDS and doctors may not refuse to treat persons with HIV/AIDS. There was no evidence of official discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS and no reported denial of medical treatment. Societal discrimination, however, did exist. Individuals who tested positive for HIV reported latent social stigma, lost jobs, and suffered discrimination in the workplace or in finding housing, although the number of such reports decreased during the year. Vliith the assistance of foreign donors, national and provincial authorities took steps, albeit inconsistently, to treat, assist, and accommodate persons with HIV/AIDS and thereby decrease societal stigma and discrimination. Faith-based charities could sometimes provide HIV-prevention and home-based care services to persons with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The government reported in 2012 that approximately 5,100 school-age children had HIV/AIDS. In several cases, pressure from other parents barred HIV/AIDS-positive children or orphans from schools. SECTION 7. WORKER RIGHTS a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining The law does not allow workers to organize and join independent unions of their choice. 1/1/hile workers may choose whether to join a union and at which level (local, provincial, or national) they wish to participate. every union must register with the country's only trade union confederation, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL), in order to be legally recognized. The VGCL, a union umbrella organization controlled by the CPV, approves and manages a range of subsidiary labor unions organized according to location and industry. In January the revised Trade Union Act took effect. Among other provisions. the act eliminated the requirement that enterprises with more than 20 workers create a trade union within six months of establishment. 1/1/hile the act charges unions with the responsibility to "disseminate information to persuade and guide workers to establish and/or join unions," the VGCL may now only represent workers in nonunionized enterprises where the workers request it. Neither the act nor related regulations specify the process for workers to request such representation, or the minimum number of workers required to make such a request. Under the act, the VGCL also has the responsibility for educating workers on their rights and obligations; representing workers (the "labor collective") in collective bargaining and individual worker's disputes; holding and leading legal strikes; and working with state agencies on labor relations, occupational health and safety, and other matters. The VGCL is no longer required to focus on establishing ·grassroots unions." Union dues are mandatory under law for union members and domestic and foreign employers. In an effort to improve accountability of union dues, the act clarified proper use of mandatory union dues for union members and domestic and foreign employers. It also eliminated the provision naming the VGCL as the sole entity to manage the finances of the entire trade union system. The law provides VGCL-affiliated unions the right to bargain collectively on behalf of workers. Collective labor disputes over rights must go through a conciliation council and, if the council cannot resolve the matter. to the chair of the district-level people's committee. In May the revised Labor Code entered into effect. The code allows trade unions and employer organizations to facilitate and support collective bargaining and requires companies to establish a mechanism to enable management and the workforce to exchange information and consult on subjects that affect working conditions. The code also protects "labor subleasing" as a new pattern of employment and thus protects part-time and domestic workers. http://www.state.gov/j/drllrlslhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm . 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 17 of 19 The law permits strikes under certain prescribed circumstances and stipulates an extensive and cumbersome process of mediation and arbitration before a lawful strike may occur. The law prohibits strikes in businesses that serve the public or that the government considers essential to the national economy and defense. defined as strikes in enterprises involved in electricity production; post and telecommunications; maritime and air transportation. navigation, and management; public works; and oil and gas. The law defines "essential services" more broadly than international standards. The law also grants the prime minister the right to suspend a strike considered detrimental to the national economy or public safety. Strikes that do not arise from a collective labor dispute or do not adhere to the process outlined by law are illegal. Before workers may hold a strike, they must take their claims through a process involving a conciliation council (or a district-level labor conciliator where no union is present). If the two parties cannot reach a resolution. unions must submit claims to a provincial arbitration council. Unions (or workers' representatives where no union is present) have the right either to appeal decisions of provincial arbitration councils to provincial people's courts or to strike. The law also stipulates that strikers cannot be paid wages while they are not at work. The law prohibits retribution against strikers. By law, individuals participating in strikes declared illegal by a people's court and found to have caused damage to their employer are liable for damages. Individual workers may take cases directly to the people's court system. but in most cases they may do so only after conciliation has been attempted and failed. VGCL leaders influenced key decisions by drafting, amending, or commenting on labor legislation; developing social safety nets; and setting health, safety, and minimum wage standards. Labor activists and representatives of independent (non-VGCL) worker organizations faced antiunion discrimination. The VGCL reported 178 strikes from January through May. N1 estimated 71 percent of these strikes occurred in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces in foreign-invested enterprises (mainly South Korean and Taiwanese companies) and were due to wage disagreements. None of the strikes followed the authorized conciliation and arbitration process, and thus authorities considered them illegal "wildcat" strikes. The government took no action against the strikers and on occasion actively mediated agreements in the workers' favor. In some. cases, the government imposed heavy fines on those employers, especially with foreign-owned companies, who engaged in illegal practices that led to strikes. There were some anecdotal reports of employers retaliating against strike participants by limiting future employment prospects. There were also credible reports that employers tended to use short-term or probationary contracts to avoid certain legally mandated worker benefits. such as unemployment insurance, or to inhibit workers from joining unions. Many employers would not let union leaders meet with workers unless management was present. b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor The law prohibits forced and compulsory labor, except as defined by administrative or criminal penalties. Nonetheless, the government and NGOs continued to report the occurrence of forced labor of adults. Labor recruitment firms, most of which were affiliated with state-owned entirprises, and unlicensed middlemen brokers reportedly charged workers seeking international employment higher fees than the law allows, with impunity. Those workers incurred high debts and were thus more vulnerable to forced labor, including debt bondage. Prisoners convicted by courts routinely were required to work for little or no pay. Authorities routinely required individuals, not convicted of crimes but detained under administrative decree in re-education centers and detention centers for sex workers and drug users, to work for little or no pay under administrative and legislative regulations. They produced food and other goods used directly in prisons or sold on local markets, reportedly to purchase items for their personal use. There continued to be credible reports that private companies hired individuals in drug detention centers. In 2011 and 2012, an international human rights organization reported that authorities forced individuals in the detention centers for drug users to engage in unpaid or underpaid work as part of their treatment. In response, MOLl SA officials confirmed that "therapeutic labor" was one part of the treatment for individuals in these centers but asserted that it was not required of all individuals and was remunerated. Also see the Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report at www.state_govljltipl. c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment The law sets the minimum age for employment at 18, but enterprises may hire children between ages 15 and 18 if firms obtain permission from parents and MOLl SA. Enterprises hiring children ages 15 to 18 must provide special considerations concerning working hours. annual leave, and working environment. These children may work a maximum of eight hours per day and 40 hours per week and must receive special health care. The law permits children to register at trade training centers. a form of vocational training, from age 14 without parental consent. By law, an employer must ensure that workers under age 18 do not undertake hazardous work or work that would harm their physical or mental development. The law prohibits children from doing work that requires compressed working posture, direct contact with harmful chemicals, contact with radioactive substances, work with various types of furnaces or hot metal, driving motor vehicles, operating stone-grinding machines. and operating machines for starching cloth and cotton yarns, among others. MOLl SA is responsible for enforcing child labor laws and policies. Government officials may fine and, in cases of criminal violations, prosecute employers who violate child labor laws. Generally. the government committed insufficient resources to enforce effectively laws that provide for children's safety, especially for children working in mines and as domestic servants. MOLl SA maintained that more thim 25.000 children worked in hazardous conditions countrywide; international observers believed the actual figure was higher. http://www .state. gov/j/drVrls/hrrpt/20 13/eap/220244 .htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 18 of 19 There were several reports that the government detected some cases of children forced to do hazardous work, removed children from those workplaces, and prosecuted/fined employers during the year. According to government representatives. businesses often claimed they provided permitted "vocational training," but unannounced government labor inspectors found children working nine to 12 hours per day for low pay in hazardous working conditions (including poor lighting, dusty environments, and the operation of heavy machinery) in small, privately owned garment factories in Sinh Chanh District. Ho Chi Minh City. In 2012. the latest year for which such data were available, the government estimated that 1,450 children were working in that city in hazardous environments. such as garment factories, and near brick kilns (handling excessive weight, exposed to fire). As part of its first five-year National Program on Child Protection, the government continued programs to eliminate persistent child labor. wilh a particular focus on needy families and orphans. A joint project with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to eliminate the worst forms of child labor continued; however, child labor remained a problem, particularly in rural areas, where two-thirds of the population resided. In rural areas children worked primarily on family farms. in other agricultural activities and household responsibilities. or in mines. There were also reports of children working in brick kilns. Some parents did not permit children to attend school during harvest and planting seasons. Migration from rural to urt:Jan settings exacerbated the child labor problem because unauthorized migrants were unable to register their households in urt:Jan areas. Consequently, their children could not attend public schools. Officials commonly assigned work to juveniles in education and nourishment centers, which function similarly to reform schools or juvenile detention centers, for "educational purposes." In urt:Jan areas children worked in family-owned small businesses. including small, privately owned garment factories, or on the street shining shoes or selling articles, such as lottery tickets and newspapers. There were also reports of forced child labor in garment factories. d. Acceptable Conditions of Work Beginning July 1, the monthly minimum wage for civil servants and state employees increased from VND 1.05 million ($50) to VND 1.150 million ($54.40). The government defined the poverty line for the period 2011-15 as VND 400,000 ($18.90) per month for rural households and VND 500,000 ($23.70) for urban households. The law sets normal hours of work at eight hours per day, with a mandatory 24-hour break each week. Additional hours require overtime pay at one-and one-ha~ times the regular wage, two times the regular wage for working through the mandatory 24-hour rest period, and three times the regular wage for holidays and paid-leave days. The new labor code limits overtime to 50 percent of normal working hours per day, 30 hours per month, and 200 hours per year but provides for an exception in special cases, with a maximum of 300 overtime hours worked annually, subject to stipulation by the government after consulting with VGCL and employer representatives. The law also prescribes annual leave with full pay for the public and private sectors. The government set the workweek for government employees and employees of companies in the state sector at 40 hours and encouraged the private business sector and foreign and international organizations that employed local workers to reduce the number of hours in the workweek to 40 hours, but compliance was not mandatory. By law, an enterprise may not dismiss a female employee who is engaged to be married or is pregnant, on maternity leave, or caring for a child under one year of age, unless the enterprise closes. Female e~ployees who are at least seven months pregnant or are caring for a child under one year of age may not be compelled to work overtime, at night, or in locations distant from their homes. ·It was unclear how strictly the government enforced provisions for wages, hours, and benefits or the exceptions for certain female employees. MOLl SA, in coordination with local people's committees and labor unions, is responsible for enforcing the law, but enforcement was irregular for many reasons. including low funding and a shortage of trained enforcement personnel. The VGCL asserted that authorities did not always prosecute violations. MOLl SA acknowledged shortcomings in its labor inspection system and emphasized that the number of labor inspectors countrywide was insufficient. According to MOLl SA officials, there were approximately 150 full-time and 350 part-time labor inspectors. The VGCL stated, and MOLl SA acknowledged, that low fines on firms for labor violations failed to act as an effective deterrent against violations. During 2012 the government expanded the inspection areas, covering topics ranging from labor regulations and persons with disabilities to social insurance and export-recruiting companies. There continued to be credible reports that factories exceeded legal overtime thresholds and did not meet legal requirements for rest days. An ApriiiLO report noted that 122 of 132 apparel factories did not comply with legal overtime limits. Migrant workers, including internal economic migrants, continued to be among the most vulnerable workers and were routinely subjected to hazardous working conditions. Other workers who often work in the informal economy included members of ethnic minority groups. The law requires the government to promulgate rules and regulations that provide for worker safety. On-the-job injuries due to poor health and safety conditions and inadequate employee training in the workplace remained a problem. The mining and construction sectors reported the greatest number of occupational injuries. In 2012, the latest year for which such data were available, there were 6,777 occupational accidents, a 14.9 percent increase from 2011. http://www.state.gov(j/drl/rlslhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244 .htm 4/7/2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Page 19 of 19 http://www .state.gov/j/drl/r1slhrrpt/20 13/eap/220244.htm 4/7/2014 www.uvsa.org • [email protected] • P.O. Box 2069 ·Westminster, CA 92684 • Tel: (714) 890-1418 • Fa~x:u7.J.!1 ~&:.;L:utl.-----, IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA Vietnamese Student April 5, 2014 ITEM No._G'-·-\__ Associations/Union from: Dear Honorable Mayor Choi and Councilmembers, California State University, Fullerton The Union of the Vietnamese Student Associations Southern California (UVSA) is writing to urge you to reconsider discussions of California State University, having Nha Trang as a sister city to Irvine. On behalf of the Long Beach Vietnamese-American student population in Southern California, UVSA is raising the concern about the proposed relationship between California State University, Irvine and Nha Trang because of the message that it may bring to the Los Angeles Vietnamese-Americans who are vehemently opposed to the Communist regime in our home country. California State University, Northridge As you may know, Orange County, and more specifically Little Saigon, is home to over 200,000 Vietnamese refugees who left Vietnam to California State University seek freedom from the unjust leadership of communists. These Polytechnic Pomona refugees are represented by the Vietnamese heritage flag, which contains three red stripes on a yellow background. The three stripes California State University, represent the three regions of Viet Nam and the yellow background San Bernardino represents the color of our skin. Establishing a sister-city relationship with Nha Trang and hanging the Communist flag would be an insult Goldenwest College not only to the Vietnamese-American people in Orange County, but also to all Vietnamese-Americans in the United States and abroad .Mt. San Antonio College who have fought and died for the idea of freedom and democracy for all. Orange Coast College For over 30 years, our organization has strived to develop the next San Diego State University generation of young leaders through cultural awareness, civic engagement, education, social issues, and reminding them of the University of California, value of freedom and democracy through our events, especially the Irvine endless opportunities this wonderful nation has given to all of us. We hope that leaders like you can continue to be role models for us youth University of California, to look upon and be champions for human rights so that we can take Los Angeles the lead in changing lives, one step at a time. University of California, Once again, we urge you to consider the impact this will have on your Riverside constituents and the Vietnamese-Americans here and abroad. University of California, Respectfully yours, San Diego University of California, Santa Barbara ~ Nina Tran President STATE CAPITOL APPROPRIATIONS ROOM4(1<1Z SACRAMENT.O. CA 95814 8A~lKING. FIN,I.N(;E TEL 91.&651-40~4 A INSURANCE: .. $Ef;JATQR- ' VETERANS .AFFAIRS 'W>t:R>:T OF.FI:E · LOu ·:cd:RREA ' .. 2.323 NORTH BROADWAY ~~HAIR ·suirr~2. Y?if8TY~F'O.liRtH·sE:~-:A.:T-f=:·oik:r'~rct· SELEGTC0~1MiTTEE ON 6AHTA ANA. CA,-:92.706 " ·. ~1ANIJFACTURED.'HOMES TEL 714:559'440.0 & .CO~iM U i-liTiES FAX-71-4-559-41! 1 CHAIR SELECT co;.iMITTE:E ON OC INI'"RAGTRUCTURE G Tt:qHNOLO.GY IN CONNI;CTION April 07, 2014 WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. -5-\ The Honorable Steven S. Choi Mayor, City of Irvine 1 Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA 92606-5207 Dear Mayor Choi: It is my understanding that the City of Irvine is considering a Friendship City recommendation with Nha Trang, a city in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at its April 8 2014 City Council Meeting. I strongly urge the City Council to take into consideration the perspective and history of Vietnamese Americans and reject this recommendation. The government of Vietnam continues to have serious record of human rights and religious freedom violations. Just this year, students, song writers, farmers, and religious leaders have been arrested and imprisoned for exercising their basic freedoms. April 30, 2014, will mark the 39th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. After the fall of Saigon, over 135,000 Vietnamese people and their families fled to the United States. Before escaping to freedom, many of these individuals were persecuted and imprisoned in re-education camps. Today, more than 465,000 Vietnamese Americans live in California, with the largest concentration of Vietnamese, outside ofVietnam living in Orange County. Given Vietnam's continuing human rights violations and suppression of basic freedoms, I urge you to reject the Friendship City recommendation with Nha Trang. Respectfully, ~/~~ LOU CORREA Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Thuong&Hanh Mac [mailto:[email protected]] ITEM NO._;""J-'-·1 __ Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 12:51 PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: I DO NOT ACCEPT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NHA TRANG CITY (IN VIETNAM) AND THE CITY OF IRVINE. THAT IS A CRAZY OPINION. PLEASE DISCARD THE SUGGESTION THAT CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED IN ANY SITUATION. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Thanh Ph6 Irvine, CA, USA va Nha Trang, Vi~t Nam. IN CONNECTION From: Trim Ve [mailto:[email protected] WITH AGENDA Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 11:47 AM To: Tran ve ITEM NO. S· \ Subject: Thanh Pho Irvine, CA, USA va Nha Trang, Vi~t Nam. Kinh thua quy vj: Trong nhfrng ngay qua da c6 nhiSu tin tuc vS dS tai nay. Sang nay B3KQ nay da lien h;tc v6i TP Irvine va c6 dQc sa qua chuang trinh bu6i hQp thanhph6 chiSu nay. B3KQ kinh gui d~n quy v! vai chi ti~t sau day: Thai gian: 4 chiSu d~n 11 gio dem; hQp kin tu 4 d~n 5 gia chiSu, va bu6i hQp chinh thuc tu 5 PM d~n 11 PM; tuy nhien c6 luc phien hQp keo dai d~n sau 12 gio khuya. 8/T: Thu ky TP: 949-724-6205; H(>i d6ng TP: 949-724-6233. Thu Di~n: [email protected] Trang Di~n toan: Cityofirvine.org; Fax: 949-724-6045; The City of Irvine: 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606-5207 < nhfrng con duang d~n d~n toa th! chjnh: Jamboree Rd., Alton Pkwy., Havard Ave.>. C6 hai bai d~u xe cong c(>ng. N~u ai khong tham dv duqc rna mu6n dua y ki~n cua minh, xin vui long gui d~n cac phuang ti~n truySn thong tren. Quy vj mu6n dQc chuang trinh phien hQp, xin vui long vao trang di~n toan, bfim vao Council Agenda; quy vj xu6ng DiSu 5 "Council Business", khoim 5.1 dS dQc vS dS tai nay< g~n cu6i>. Cach thuc diSu hanh va cfiu t?o cua cac thanh ph6 va qu~n Cam tuang tlJ nhu nhau. N~u quy vj g~p kh6 khan trong vfin dS ngon ngu, quy vj yeu c~u hQ duqc n6i chuy~n v6i nhan nguoi Vi~t, thong thuang nhung nhan vien nay duqc tra them 5 ph~n tram phv tr(>i hang thang. Va theo hi~n phap thi tfit ca nhu·ng nhan vien chinh phil Ia nhung nguoi phvc vv dan chung HK vi hQ duqc dan tra luang. Theo nhu qua khu b~u cfr trong cac bu6i hQp thanh ph6 cua Irvine thi c6 hai nh6m: Nh6m ella Ti~n sT Stevan S. Choi, thj truang, thong thuong duqc 3 phi~u; va nh6m cua nghj vien Larry Agran duqc 2 phi~u. 1 Irvine c6 5 nghi vien: 1 thi truang Thua guy vi, theo hi~n phap Hoa Ky, thida s6 th~ng thi~u s6. B3KQ xin phep duqc mua riu qua m~t THQ; la m<)t nguoi My g6c Vi~t, trong hi~u bi~t giai h~n, B3KQ xin duqc phep dong g6p m<)t ti tin tu·c trong tinh thcln ttl do truy€n thong. Ch~c ch~n c6 nhi€u thi~u s6t, xin guy vi thong dim va chT giao. Tnin trQng, 83KQ Trcln Ve. Neu thLP cJi~n nay lam phitm quy vj, xin vui long DELETE. Tran trQng cam an va kfnh chuc quy vi cung gia quyen mQi sv nhLP y. Kfnh, TV. 2 Quyen Van Le & Ngoc Tao H. Le 70 Night Bloom Irvine, CA 92602 April 7, 2014 I IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA Irvine City Council Members ITEM NO. .-!) ' \ Honorable Larry Agran Dear Honorable(s), We are writing this letter to express our concern regarding the proposal for friendship city between Irvine and Nha Trang, Vietnam. We strongly believe this will be a huge mistake because it will stir up a great deal of anger among the Vietnamese community in Irvine and Orange County. We are ourselves originated from Nha Trang, Vietnam and have risked our lives and our children's lives to flee the country by boat after 1975 when the Communists took over Saigon. We would love to see our birthplace be twinned with our actual beloved Irvine but in condition that Vietnam would have human rights freedom. We think at this moment, a friendship program between the two cities will do more harm to the city of Irvine than good. If we are not mistaken, in 2011 the city of Irvine has recognized the yellow flag with three red stripes as the symbol of resilience, freedom and democracy to Vietnamese Americans. Imagine that what would happen if Irvine residents come back to Nha Trang wearing their yellow flag symbol? They would be arrested right at the Tan Son Nhat airport of Vietnam. And what would happen if the communists from Nha Trang bring their bloody red flag to Irvine? There would be a huge demonstration at the Irvine city hall from Vietnamese Americans of Southern California like it happened before in 1999 at Westminster when a Vietnamese shop owner displayed a Vietnamese Communist red flag and a picture of Ho Chi Minh in his shop. We beg you please to reconsider and withdraw your proposal. Sincerely, ~~ee__ Ngoc Tao H. Le Quyen Van Le Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Proposed Sister City with Nha Trang From: Tung Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] IN CONNI;CfiON Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 1:24PM WITH AGENDA To: irvinecitycouncil ITEM NO. 7· \ Subject: Proposed Sister City with Nha Trang Dear Mr. Mayor and City of Irvine Council Members, As political refugees of the communists of Vietnam, we oppose to your agenda item of sister-city relationship with Nha Trang, Vietnam for this afternoon meeting. The communists of Vietnam have been constantly oppressive, vicious and disregard for human lives when they forcefully took over the Country. The ongoing of imprisonment of conscientious civilians who raise their voices for justice and freedom is the regular practice of the Vietnamese government in order to establish its dictatorship. As a US resident, I don't think this relationship should be initiated. Until the Vietnamese government values these basic rights to lives for its people, it makes no sense for the City of Irvine to institute this sister-city program. We would appreciate your reconsideration to terminate this affiliation. Gracefully, Tung Nguyen 1 Valarie Burlingame From: Giac H<;mh IN CONN~CTION WITH AGENDA ------Forwarded message ------ITEM NO. _____.5'--· _\__ From: Giac H:.mh Dear Honorable Mayors, Investment Advisory Committee, and Councillors of Irvine, I would like to thank you and SUPPORT your effort to build bridges of American and Vietnamese. This plan would be great help to develop American business culture and create Vietnamese prosperity. You are doing your best to create prospertities for the Vietnamese population and Americans. YES, your smart strategy is the only way to help Vietnam. We, Vietnamese Americans need your help to advance forward your plan in helping Vietnam joining the TPP. ESPECIALLY, with American business expertise will help Vietnam success in the long run as TPP will create many challenges for Vietnamese business infrastructure, this grant agenda of economic and cultural friendship must continue to the next phase! It is the only way and it is happening in Vietnam, NOT ONLY DA NANG, all our Vietnameses cities want to be friend with American Cities. This plan could build stronger trade, education, and business partnerships, this will bring Vietnam and US closer. Together, we could heal the past. Your generation is doing it RIGHT! FINALLY, I hope that our Vietnamese Amercians in Irvine sees this advantage and support your plan. Sincerely Yours, Giac H~mh 87 Years Old, I was a Vietnamese Communist Refugee. I am meditating for 7 days with all my concentration to support you, please do all your best to bring Vietnameses' lovely Da Nang and Irvine closer. Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: About Mr. Lagran's proposition From: Hung Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 2:15PM To: irvinecitycouncil Subject: About Mr. Lagran's proposition IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. t5. \ Dear City Council, With all due respects to Mr. Lagran, I strongly oppose his proposition for associating the city of Irvine with the city ofNha Trang. Nha Trang was a beautiful city during my childhood when we were enjoying a real freedom. Now, it is governed by a corrupted group of communist officials. This group trashed the city of Nha Trang and her population. It would be a shame to be associated with this group of corrupted officials. This would reinforce their uneducated and inhuman behavior towards the people of Nha Trang and the country of Vietnam. Before proposing such a thing, Mr. Lagran should consult with our population here in Irvine and Orange county to know all pros and cons of such suggestion. I do not have enough words to express my frustrations and very much felt betrayed by this proposition. Respectfully yours, Hung Q. NGUYEN 120 Kazan St. IRVINE, CA 92604 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Opposition to establish sisterhood relation with Nha Trang IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA From: Michael Tang [mailto:[email protected] ITEM NO. ~~---f-- Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 3:33PM To: irvinecitycouncil Cc: Joe Tang; Nga Tang; Nga Tran; kim ngan; Lanh; Suzanne Tang; patrick tang; Mary Tang; Chris Tang; Jules Nguyen; Kim Le; Lam Pham; Phong Tran; Dave Thai; Phu Tong; Tuan Pham Subject: Opposition to establish sisterhood relation with Nha Trang Dear Irvine council, We are so saddened and disappointed in Councilman Larry Agran 's intention to put on today's agenda to establish a sisterhood relation with Nha Trang, one of the coastal provinces in the Communist Vietnam. Vietnam is one of the country in the world that has the worst human rights records and brutally abused and arrested wihouth any fair trial its own citizen daring to voice their freedom of expression and religion . Many of us Vietnamese refugees who have risked our precious lives and left families behind just to flee this Communist regime in order to find freedom in America. Therefore the city of Irvine forming a sisterhood relation with Nha Trang is a direct insult to over 200,000 OC's Vietnamese Americans whose families are still suffering under the Vietnamese Communist state without any freedom. We'd strongly oppose to this proposal and respectfully request the the city of Irvine council to remove this proposal from today's agenda immediately. Thank you very much for your attention in this urgent matter. Sincerely, Michael Tang and Kim Dinhhhhh Concerned !Nine Residents 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Question/ Clarification IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA ITEM NO. t;.l From: John Blinstrub [mailto:[email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 10:45 PM Subject: Question/ Clarification Hello Mayor Choi, Mayor Pro Tern Lalloway, Councilman Agran, Councilwoman Krom and Councilwoman She I was wondering being some of you have some connections with Vietnamese community I was wondering when you go to Little Saigon you go how come all the products come from Vietnam aren't they helping to support the communist party? I was walking around and talking with Vietnam community this evening and asking question to understand even better the issues. It was fun being as white guy with three Asian kids they were teasing me I brought my bodyguards. Also if we look at the three cities that were chosen are they not from countries that came here and helped Irvine Company make it through the great recession purchasing homes in Woodbury and Stonegate and paying taxes here? Aren't these the same students that will be sent to New High School next to toxic dump. I still wonder if anything goes wrong at that site it could be a serious racial issue in future. I brought my children to show them what the democracy is like and what freedoms all people have no matter what culture they are. Then I saw Vietnamese children dragging American Flags on the ground it just broke my heart and I tried to share with parent but they didn't understand me. Just some things to consider. Sincerely, John M Blinstrub 1 Valarie Burlingame Subject: FW: Thank You Thank YOu From: Khiem Nguyen [mailto:[email protected] -[~~~~~~~~b~N Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2014 7:45AM !TEM NO. ~·I To: info r,______. Subject: Thank You Thank YOu We would like to thank so much Mayor Choi, vice Mayor Lalloway and . Council woman Shea of city of Irvine for all your precious help to the people in Irvine and specially to the Vietnamese community living in this peaceful city. Our Nguyen 1 family always support all of you with deep gratitude. Sincerely Yours, khiem Nguyen's Family -- khiemNg 2 STATE CAPITOL COMMITIEES PO. BOX 942849 VICE CHAIR: JUDICIARY SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-0068 J\ssrmhllJ VICE CHAIR: AGING AND (916) 319-2068 LONG-TERM CARE FAX (916) 319-2168 "'\PRIL 8, 2014 Members of the Irvine City Council 1 Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA 92606 RE: Opposition to Agenda Item 5.1 Dear Members of the Irvine City Council, The Office of Assembly t 11ember Donald P. Wagner is formally opposed to Agenda Item 5.1 of Councilman Agran's city recommendation with Nha Trang, Vietnam. The city of Irvine is a top destination city around the world and many come to enjoy the city's quality educational programs, its eclectic and vibrant business community, and its strong commitment to public safety. The City's elected officials ought to look for ways to continue and improve upon this culture of excellence but this partnership would only detract from it. Many residents are understandably outraged given the timing of this proposal coinciding with Black April and we join their voices to oppose a partnership. I am pleased that Councilman Agran has indicated he will not be proposing the item and I thank Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Lalloway for his leadership on this issue. For these reasons, the Office of Assembly Member Donald P. Wagner of the 68'h District is formally opposed to this resolution at this time. REPRESENTING ORANGE COUNTY Printed on Recycled Paper , RECEIVED JANET NGUYEN CITY Of. IRVINE SUPERVISOR. FIRST DISTRICT Cl TY CLERK'S OFFtCE ORANGE COUNTY HALL OF ADMINISTRATION 7 333.W. SANTA ANA BLVD .. PO. BOX 687. SANTA ANA. CALIFORNIA 9t-'J!HuAI?R -4 AHIO: 23 PHONE (71~) 83~·3110 FAX (71~) 83~-575~ [email protected] April 2, 2014 IN CONNECTION WITH AGENDA The Honorable StevenS. Choi, Ph.D. ITEM N0._.....5~·~i-- Mayor, City of Irvine I Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA 92606-5207 Dear Mayor Choi: It is my understanding that the Irvine City Council will consider establishing a "Friendship City" relationship with the City of Nha Trang, Vietnam, at their meeting on Tuesday, April 8th. Orange County is home to the largest community of Vietnamese residents outside of Vietnam, most of whom reside in the First District. As the County representative of the First District, I urge you to carefully reconsider the establishment of this relationship, given the blatant disregard for human rights in Vietnam and the City of Nha Trang. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam has continued to violate the basic human rights of their own people as they systematically arrest, unjustly condemn and incarcerate citizens who speak out against the government. These tactics have been used to silence community leaders, political dissidents, journalists, and ordinary citizens who voice the slightest criticism of the government and/or its officials. Over 100 people have been convicted or sentenced for exercising their right to free expression. Examples include the conviction and sentencing of 14 pro-democracy activists in January 2013 and the prosecution last month ofblogger, Mr. Truong Duy Nhat. Additionally,.t_he City of f:'Jha Trang's officials have also perpetrated human rights abuses. According to Human Rights Watch, in 2009, two journalists in ·the City of Nha Trang were suspended for six months for reporting on local government corruption. According to the same source; just last May, City of Nha Trang officials participated in the Vietnamese government's silencing of human rights activists who planned a peaceful, public meeting to discuss human rights and distribute the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The City of Irvine's establishment of a relationship with the City of Nha Trang would be an insult to the Vietnamese-American community in Orange County, many of whom risked their lives to flee the same communist government that rules Vietnam today. In order for us to retain our reputation as a beacon of freedom and democracy in the world, the United States, including its local jurisdictions, must insist that those who wish to benefit from an association with America must also abide by the ideals _of.freedom,and.democracy .• E.oUhes~.~J>-0-!JS,_I_~r,_g~.YOUJQ_ r~consider this ~e_la~ionship. _ ------~~=~~~~~~~~~~~~----=----- Thank you for your conside~ation of this matter. If you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me at (714) 834-3110 or [email protected]. Sincerely, CC:_ Honorable Members, Irvine City Council Mr. Sean Joyce, Irvine City Manager