Raymond F. Burghardt
Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
American Embassy
7 Lang Ha Street
Hanoi, Vietnam

We extend God's peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. As members of an historic peace church, we share our understanding of Christ's way of peace and reconciliation in our own country and around the world. We are members of a world body of Mennonite churches in more than sixty countries on five continents. We come to you today in support of our brothers and sisters in Vietnam.

We are pleased to see what Vietnam is contributing to the international community of nations and for what you are doing for the development of your own country. We affirm Vietnam's policy of freedom of religion as guaranteed in your constitution. Members of our church communities have traveled to Vietnam and have observed the thriving established religious communities - Buddhist, Catholic, Evangelical Christian and others.

From reports we've received, we understand that Vietnamese authorities have arrested Nguyen Hong Quang, a Mennonite church leader, on June 8, 2004, after arresting four other leaders on March 2, on charges of "obstructing persons carrying out official duties." We understand that church property, including files, computers and other office equipment has been taken. In addition, we have been told that other Mennonite church members have been harassed and physically beaten and some have said that their homes and other personal property have been destroyed.

We believe that what Vietnamese authorities are doing, if indeed they are doing it, is not in keeping with religious freedom for all Vietnamese citizens as guaranteed in Vietnam's constitution. Nor would it be in keeping with the commitments officials have made in favor of human rights. We are concerned that the arrest of Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and his colleagues is a violation of the constitutional guarantee of freedom of worship. We believe that these unfortunate incidents may be due to an uneven application of the law in some parts of the country.

Mennonite communities and personnel from the United States, Canada and other countries have worked alongside the Vietnamese people for fifty years, providing emergency assistance to displaced persons, giving medical care, supporting educational programs and encouraging agricultural development and income generation. After 1975, our churches contributed significantly to development programs in Vietnam that are ongoing and well documented.

We urge the government of Vietnam to respect and guarantee the right of freedom of worship for Christians in Vietnam and we ask the government of our own country to support this behavior on the part of the government of Vietnam. We ask you to protect to the lives and liberty of all members of churches. We especially request your assistance to release Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and his colleagues and return their confiscated property.

Sincerely,