Lawmakers call on Bush to push for human rights during Vietnam PM visit News
Lawmakers call on Bush to push for human rights during Vietnam PM visit

[JURIST] US lawmakers Wednesday called on the White House to encourage expansion of human rights and religious freedoms in Vietnam as Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai [Wikipedia profile] continued his landmark visit to the US, the first by a Vietnamese head of government since the end of the Vietnam War 30 years ago. The meetings were largely about trade and Vietnam's possible admission to the World Trade Organization, and some US lawmakers want any trade agreements or concessions to be closely linked to reform. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) [official website] said there are "serious issues" in Vietnam, and Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) [official website] said "there is a lack of freedom and a lack of prosperity" in Vietnam. A bill has been introduced in the House that would restrict aid to Vietnam unless certain human-rights conditions are met. President Bush has promised a visit to Vietnam next year. AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in Six Days' War

On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six Days' War, and for respect of the right of all States in the area to "live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries." Read Resolution 242, which remains a cornerstone of efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

President Kennedy assassinated, VP Lyndon Johnson sworn inin

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Later that day, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was later tasked with leading a commission to investigate the assassination. President Johnson received the final report of the Warren Commission on September 24, 1964. Read the Warren Commission Report.