What you didn’t read in the NYT’s About Vietnam’s APEC Meeting

The New York Times’ ace-snark David Sanger’s report from Vietnam emphasized the turnout of Vietnamese for President Clinton, when he visited at the end of his administration, compared to little turnout in the streets for President Bush during his stop in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.

David Sanger’s nose for negative news about President Bush missed that,

Residents along the route from Tan Son Nhat airport to the New World have been ordered by the public security to stay in their homes before and after the arrival time.

David Sanger apparently was too engaged elsewhere to attend the telephone press conference of democracy dissidents, held despite arrests and intimidation.

Ultimately, reporters from CNN Radio, LA Times, AFP, and Reuters were connected to Prof. Nguyen Chinh Ket in Saigon and Attorney Le Thi Cong Nhan in Hanoi. Do Nam Hai was unable to participate as he was still being held at the Phu Nhuan public security station.
Many of the questions focused on the isolation of democracy activists by the public security and even the physical lockdown of their residences. Questions were posed regarding the group beating of Dr. Pham Hong Son on Friday and the detention of Do Nam Hai today.

The San Jose Mercury News is among the very few U.S. newspapers who did report some of the reality, perhaps because there are so many Vietnamese refugees in its circulation area.

Dissidents throughout the country say they have been harassed, detained and, in one case, beaten up by authorities to keep them from meeting with foreign journalists or engaging in any protests while the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting convenes.
The home and cellular phones of many prominent dissidents have been disconnected. Some activists have been locked inside their homes. Throughout the city, barricades have been erected at the homes of many dissidents, typically with four or five police officers standing guard. Signs around the homes warn visitors: ``Restricted Access,'' ``No Foreigners'' and ``No Pictures.''

David Sanger may want to on a future trip to Vietnam to visit more than a Pho restaurant or Hanoi victory museums.