anhtu
12-22-2006, 09:40 AM
For Immediate Release: ---- Contact: Sabrina Lockhart
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 ---- Gena Grebitus
---- 916-445-4571
Photo of Gov. Schwarzenegger with Cong Thanh Do
http://www.ykien.net/pictures/vandongdanchu185_CaliforniaGovernor.jpg
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today met with Cong Thanh Do. In August, Mr. Do was wrongfully arrested in Vietnam in retaliation for his pro-democracy sympathies. The Governor helped to facilitate Mr. Do's release (after 38 days in jail) by writing letters to the United States Ambassador to Vietnam, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. This photo was taken today in the Cabinet Room, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cong Thanh Do and Cong's Son, Nien.
For a high resolution copy of this photo please contact Gena Grebitus, Press Office of Governor Schwarzenegger, gena.grebitus@gov.ca.gov.
Photo Credit: Steve Payer, Office of Governor Schwarzenegger.
###
http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/4002/
09/21/2006 GAAS:651:06 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement Regarding the Release of California Man Held in Vietnam
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement regarding the release of Cong Thanh Do, a U.S. citizen from California who was imprisoned by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, even though no charges were filed against him.
“I am pleased Cong Thanh Do has been released and that his rights as a U.S. citizen were respected. Freedom of speech is the fabric of our democracy and contributes to what makes our country so great. As Americans, especially Californians, we take pride in being able to freely express ourselves.”
Background:
Earlier this month, Governor Schwarzenegger sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, calling for the release of Mr. Do.
###
http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/3915/
09/15/2006 GAAS:632:06 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gov. Schwarzenegger Calls for the Release of Californian Held in Vietnam
Governor Schwarzenegger today called on the federal government to demand the release of Mr. Cong Thanh Do, a U.S. citizen from California who is being imprisoned by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Denying him his due process rights, Vietnamese officials will not release Mr. Do despite the fact that no charges have been filed against him. Below is the text of a letter Governor Schwarzenegger sent to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Similar letters were also sent to the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam and Senators Feinstein and Boxer.
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Madam Secretary,
I am writing to ask for your immediate assistance in demanding the release of Mr. Cong Thanh Do, a Californian who has been imprisoned by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It has been reported that Mr. Do was arrested in retaliation for his work to promote human rights and democracy and that no formal charges have yet been brought against him. Given this, I ask you to do everything in your power to ensure that Mr. Do is released and that his rights as a United States citizen are respected.
I understand that Mr. Do was arrested on August 14, 2006, by the government of Vietnam while visiting the country as a tourist. Although it is still unclear what charges are being brought against Mr. Do, it has been reported that he was unable to speak to officials from the U.S. Consulate until more than two weeks after his incarceration. I also understand that despite the fact that no formal charges have yet been brought against Mr. Do, he continues to be held in prison. Mr. Do should be immediately provided all due process required under international agreements, including the United Nations Charter on Human Rights, as well as adequate access to physicians and legal representation.
Although I understand that all the facts of this case are still in the process of being delivered to the U.S. State Department, I ask for your prompt attention to the matter of Mr. Do’s release. Thank you for your consideration of this urgent request.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 ---- Gena Grebitus
---- 916-445-4571
Photo of Gov. Schwarzenegger with Cong Thanh Do
http://www.ykien.net/pictures/vandongdanchu185_CaliforniaGovernor.jpg
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today met with Cong Thanh Do. In August, Mr. Do was wrongfully arrested in Vietnam in retaliation for his pro-democracy sympathies. The Governor helped to facilitate Mr. Do's release (after 38 days in jail) by writing letters to the United States Ambassador to Vietnam, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. This photo was taken today in the Cabinet Room, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cong Thanh Do and Cong's Son, Nien.
For a high resolution copy of this photo please contact Gena Grebitus, Press Office of Governor Schwarzenegger, gena.grebitus@gov.ca.gov.
Photo Credit: Steve Payer, Office of Governor Schwarzenegger.
###
http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/4002/
09/21/2006 GAAS:651:06 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement Regarding the Release of California Man Held in Vietnam
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement regarding the release of Cong Thanh Do, a U.S. citizen from California who was imprisoned by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, even though no charges were filed against him.
“I am pleased Cong Thanh Do has been released and that his rights as a U.S. citizen were respected. Freedom of speech is the fabric of our democracy and contributes to what makes our country so great. As Americans, especially Californians, we take pride in being able to freely express ourselves.”
Background:
Earlier this month, Governor Schwarzenegger sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, calling for the release of Mr. Do.
###
http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/3915/
09/15/2006 GAAS:632:06 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gov. Schwarzenegger Calls for the Release of Californian Held in Vietnam
Governor Schwarzenegger today called on the federal government to demand the release of Mr. Cong Thanh Do, a U.S. citizen from California who is being imprisoned by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Denying him his due process rights, Vietnamese officials will not release Mr. Do despite the fact that no charges have been filed against him. Below is the text of a letter Governor Schwarzenegger sent to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Similar letters were also sent to the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam and Senators Feinstein and Boxer.
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Madam Secretary,
I am writing to ask for your immediate assistance in demanding the release of Mr. Cong Thanh Do, a Californian who has been imprisoned by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It has been reported that Mr. Do was arrested in retaliation for his work to promote human rights and democracy and that no formal charges have yet been brought against him. Given this, I ask you to do everything in your power to ensure that Mr. Do is released and that his rights as a United States citizen are respected.
I understand that Mr. Do was arrested on August 14, 2006, by the government of Vietnam while visiting the country as a tourist. Although it is still unclear what charges are being brought against Mr. Do, it has been reported that he was unable to speak to officials from the U.S. Consulate until more than two weeks after his incarceration. I also understand that despite the fact that no formal charges have yet been brought against Mr. Do, he continues to be held in prison. Mr. Do should be immediately provided all due process required under international agreements, including the United Nations Charter on Human Rights, as well as adequate access to physicians and legal representation.
Although I understand that all the facts of this case are still in the process of being delivered to the U.S. State Department, I ask for your prompt attention to the matter of Mr. Do’s release. Thank you for your consideration of this urgent request.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger