bbc.com
Vietnam's $86 Million MIA Recovery Effort Yields Only 25 Verified Cases
A new report reveals Vietnam received $86 million from the US Department of Defense between 2016 and 2024 for locating American MIA soldiers from the Vietnam War, but only verified 25 cases, prompting criticism of Vietnam's cooperation and financial practices.
- How does Vietnam's approach to information sharing and artifact recovery contrast with the US government's assessment of their cooperation?
- The report, based on a review of annual reports from the US Department of Defense's DPAA from 2016-2024, reveals that Vietnam charged exorbitant fees: $10,000 per single-page document and $15,000 per recovered artifact—effectively reselling them to the US. This contrasts sharply with the US government's claims of 'excellent cooperation' from Vietnam.
- What are the long-term implications of the financial incentives and lack of transparency surrounding the recovery of MIA soldiers in Vietnam?
- The report criticizes the DPAA for inaccurately praising Vietnam's cooperation, suggesting a fear of halting collaboration if pressure was applied. It also highlights Vietnam's refusal to grant US investigators access to party and government archives, raising concerns about transparency and the prioritization of financial gain over humanitarian efforts.
- What is the discrepancy between the amount of money paid by the US to Vietnam for recovering MIA soldiers and the actual number of verified cases?
- Over nine years, Vietnam received $86 million from the US Department of Defense for locating American MIA soldiers from the Vietnam War, yet only 25 cases were verified, according to a new report by the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. These payments were made directly to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introduction of the report frame Vietnam's actions in a negative light by emphasizing the high cost per identified soldier and the contrast between money spent and results achieved. The report uses phrases like "'strongly opposes'" and "'more focused on financial gain'," creating a predetermined narrative of exploitation before presenting evidence. The structure prioritizes negative findings, which shapes public understanding towards a critical view of Vietnam's involvement.
Language Bias
The report uses loaded language such as "'selling back to the US'," "'exploitation'," and "'creating revenue'," to describe Vietnam's actions. These terms carry strong negative connotations and lack neutrality. Neutral alternatives could include "'reimbursement'," 'collaboration,' and 'financial transactions.' The repeated emphasis on the financial aspect of the cooperation reinforces a negative perception.
Bias by Omission
The report focuses heavily on the financial aspect of the Vietnam government's cooperation in recovering MIA soldiers, potentially omitting other forms of cooperation or positive outcomes that may exist. The report also omits mention of any potential benefits to Vietnam from this cooperation beyond financial compensation, potentially creating an unbalanced perspective. While acknowledging space constraints, the omission of counterarguments or alternative viewpoints from the Vietnamese government weakens the analysis' objectivity.
False Dichotomy
The report presents a false dichotomy by portraying Vietnam's cooperation as solely driven by financial gain, neglecting the possibility of other motivations, such as humanitarian concerns or diplomatic relations. This oversimplification ignores the complexity of international relations and the potential for multifaceted motivations.
Sustainable Development Goals
The report highlights a lack of transparency and cooperation from Vietnam in providing information and access to archives related to missing American soldiers. The high fees charged for information and artifacts hinder the investigation and reconciliation process, undermining efforts towards justice and accountability. The discrepancy between the amount spent and the number of identified remains further exemplifies this issue.