SANTA ANA : Vietnamese Protesters Decry Normalization

A trembling and teary Quan Van Nguyen maintained a strong salute Thursday morning before the memorial in Santa Ana that honors local servicemen killed in the Vietnam War.

Speaking in his native tongue, the 64-year-old self-employed tailor shouted thanks to those who died fighting for Vietnam’s freedom and democracy and condemned President Clinton for betraying them by normalizing relations this week with America’s former adversary.

“We are so sorry,” he said, addressing the names scripted into the memorial. “There should not have been normalization with Vietnam, not until it is a free country.”

Nguyen was consoled by more than 25 Vietnamese community leaders and activists who staged the peaceful demonstration Thursday at the memorial in the courtyard behind the Santa Ana Civic Center.

“We want to thank the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our country,” said Chau Tue Carey, organizer of the protest and founder of the Vietnamese Women’s Organization. “We want to bring attention to them and ask the American public not to support relations with Vietnam until it is a democratic society.”

A fresh flower arrangement of red and white carnations wrapped by a red, white and blue ribbon bearing the sentiment “We respect your sacrifice” adorned the monument. The group marched along the busy streets around Civic Center Drive, holding signs blasting Clinton, asking for answers concerning American prisoners of war and demanding democracy for Vietnam. They held high U.S. flags, the striped pre-communism flag of South Vietnam, the flag of California and a flag commemorating POWs/MIAs.

Clinton announced Tuesday that the United States will normalize relations with Vietnam as a way to heal the wounds of the war, coax Vietnam into fully accounting for the 2,200 servicemen still listed as missing in action there and encourage Hanoi to adopt democracy. Businesses in both countries are expected to benefit from the stronger ties.

The Vietnamese government has pledged its cooperation in accounting for the servicemen but has resisted calls for democracy.

Nguyen, a former South Vietnamese army officer who specialized in psychological warfare, predicted that the United States would never successfully push Hanoi to democracy.

“Only the Communists will benefit by normalization through free exchange,” said Nguyen, referring to the expected increase in trade between the nations. “Not the people. They have no rights; they have no freedom. There will still be religious persecution.”

The demonstrators, who are planning a candlelight vigil at the memorial within the next month, ended their protest by standing in a circle before the memorial and singing “Vietnam, Vietnam,” a popular song that commemorates those who fought for an independent Vietnam over several centuries.