January 14, 2003

The Honorable Robert B. Zoellick

United States Trade Representative

209A Winder Building

600 17^th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20506

Dear Ambassador Zoellick,

We, the undersigned Laotian-Americans, representatives of non-governmental organizations and business associations, and concerned individuals thank you for your support of the U.S.-Laos Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). We urge you to submit the BTA to the 108^th Congress as soon as it convenes for prompt consideration and passage. We represent a diverse group of backgrounds and interests, but we are all united in our conviction that the United States and Laos will benefit greatly from the normal trade relations (NTR) that will follow Congressional passage.

As you know, Laos is one of only seven countries under non-NTR or embargo-type policies in U.S. foreign policy. The denial of NTR to Laos in light of normal trade relations granted to Vietnam and Cambodia makes little sense. The United States and Laos signed the BTA in 1997, and its ratification forms part of President Bush’s trade agenda. President Bush recently cited Laos as one of the countries included in the Enterprise for ASEAN Initiative, with the aim of helping that country, Cambodia and Vietnam integrate into the international economy. Moreover, bilateral efforts to address POW/MIA issues and stem the flow of narcotics continue to be productive.

We are mindful that trade agreements negotiated by the Executive Branch and approved by Congress are only the first stage of stronger and more mutually beneficial ties. It is incumbent upon the government of Laos to provide American companies and their own state and private enterprises with the legal framework and operational authority they need to pursue successful trade and investments.

After 1975, the United States and Laos maintained official ties when relations with Vietnam and Cambodia had been completely severed. It is time to remove discriminatory tariff barriers and to take this last major step toward the normalization of relations. We look forward to working with you to achieve this. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Tim Chansy* Dave Elder

Senior Technical Support, American Friends Service Committee

Advent Software, Inc.

Soutsakhone Vengthisane* Touk Praseuthsy*

Architect of the Capitol Ariel Capital Management, Inc.

Mary Kay Crouch Chantip Phongkamsavath*

Professor Center for Policy Alternatives

California State University, Fullerton

Tony R. Culley-Foster John McAuliff

President Executive Director,

CFCO International Fund for Reconciliation and Development

Susan Hammond Justin McDaniel

Deputy Director Harvard University

Fund for Reconciliation and Development

Anousak Souphavanh Sengfo Chao*

Network Technologist Co-Founder

IBM Iu Mien American National Coalition, Inc.

Terry E. Miller Soulivanh Khamvongsay*

Professor Founding President

Kent State University Lao-American Exchange Institute

Steve Chantrirak* Betsy Headrick McCrae

President Director, East Asia Program

Lao-American Exchange Institute Mennonite Central Committee

Refaat Abdel-Malek Michael Musgrave

Vice Chairman Chief Operating Officer

MWH MWH

Somsack Philayvanh* Ann Mills Griffith

Mohegan Sun Executive Director

National League of POW-MIA Families

Susan D. Russell John Hartman

Director, Southeast Asian Studies Professor

Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University

Jacqueline Chagnon Roger Rumpf

Participatory Development Associates Participatory Development Associates

Linda J. Yarr Dr. John Ferchek

Executive Director Country Director

Program for International Studies in Asia Quaker Service Laos

Paul Meyers Ernest Z. Bower

Executive Director President

Ten Thousand Villages U.S.-ASEAN Business Council

Virginia B. Foote Sadachanh Sinantha*

Executive Director Carrier Agreements Negotiator

U.S.-Vietnam Trade Council Worldcom, Inc.

Connie Woodberry

World Education

Tony Analathithada* Alison Bolavong*

Fort Worth, Texas Arlington, Virginia

Saimon Bouphone* Anola Boutah*

New Britain, Connecticut

Bonnie Brereton Langsanh Chanthavisouk*

Ann Arbor, Michigan Rochester, New York

Thip Chinthalasy* Somphala Chomsisengphet*

Rochester, New York Chevy Chase, Maryland

Catharin Dalpino Paul Doangpaphanh*

Washington, D.C. New Britain, Connecticut

Ariah Francois Edward Gresser

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C.

Sidney Khotpanya* Montatip Krishnamura*

Washington, D.C.

Chandy Nerawith* Nancy Penrose

Fort Worth, Texas Redmond, Washington

Sivilay Phabmixay* Jack Rattanavong*

Washington, D.C. Bethesda, Maryland

Bob Retka Kim Retka

Madison, Virginia Madison, Virginia

Kongphanh Santivong * Nantakoun Santivong*

Washington, D.C. Seattle, Washington

Narin Sihavong* Thomas Steinfatt

Falls Church, Virginia Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Niphasone Souphom* Vinya Sysamouth*

Alexandria, Virginia Milwaukee, Wisconsin

John A. Szukalski Claudi Gulaya Tang*

Rockville, Maryland

Sirisay Khammounkoun Tang* Visith Eddy Tang*

Rockville, Maryland Rockville, Maryland

Peter Whittlesey

Sacramento, California

*Laotian-American

(Institutions are listed for identification purposes.)

cc: The Honorable Colin Powell, Secretary of State

The Honorable Charles Grassley, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee

The Honorable William Thomas, Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee