By Lawrence D. Jones

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100818/us-religious-freedom-advocates-call-out-vietnam-on-violations/

“When used in the past, the CPC designation produced tangible improvements on the ground and did not hinder progress on other bilateral issues,” testified Ted Van Der Meid, commissioner at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

“In fact, trade, investment, humanitarian programs, and military relations expanded during the period when Vietnam was a CPC,” he added. “The CPC designation can be used again to bring concrete change.”

During Wednesday’s “emergency session,” the commission heard from Van Der Meid, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), as well as witnesses of what has been currently taking place in Con Dau, a Catholic village in the Diocese of Da Nang, Central Vietnam.