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From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Peterson Resigns

Date: May 23, 2001

"War Veteran Resigns As U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam
Updated: Wed, May 23 5:36 AM EDTBy David Brunnstrom

HANOI (Reuters) - A champion of reconciliation as the first post-war U.S. ambassador to Vietnam despite bitter experiences as its prisoner, Douglas "Pete" Peterson said on Wednesday he had resigned his post.

In a statement issued by the U.S. embassy, Peterson said he had submitted his resignation to President Bush on Tuesday. He said it would be effective from July 15 and he would return to his home state of Florida.

Peterson, 65, a former fighter pilot who was shot down in Vietnam, returned to the Vietnamese capital as ambassador in May 1997 despite spending six-and-a-half years in the notorious Hanoi Hilton jail as a prisoner of war.

A three-term congressman, he was appointed ambassador by former President Bill Clinton. Colleagues say that in recent months he has often been frustrated by Bush's handling of relations with Vietnam, which have taken a dip under the new administration.

In recent days, however, prospects for U.S. ratification of a historic bilateral trade agreement that Peterson championed have appeared to improve, diplomats and businessmen say.

A source who knows Peterson well said the ambassador was now confident the pact would go to the U.S. Congress in early June and so felt able to step down.

"With the agreement going up, he feels he has achieved what he wanted to," said the source, who did not want to be otherwise identified.

FLORIDA CHALLENGE

The source added that by giving up his government job, Peterson would be free to decide whether to stand in the 2002 Florida gubernatorial election, for which he has been talked about as a Democratic challenger to Bush's brother Jeb.

"He will probably take a very serious look at Florida," the source added.

In his resignation announcement issued by the U.S. embassy, Peterson said he hoped the trade pact would soon be sent to congress for ratification, a move he said "will cap the full normalization of U.S.-Vietnam relations."

He said it had been an honor for him to help build a new relationship between Hanoi and Washington adding: "I believe that we have come a very long way in my four years here."

Peterson said progress had been made in the process of determining the fate of Americans missing in action in Southeast Asia, and improved ties had culminated with the signing of the trade pact last July.

The American business lobby in Vietnam, whose cause Peterson has championed, was quick to pay tribute.

"It's the end of an era," said Peter Ryder, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi. "He has elevated U.S.-Vietnam relations to a higher profile than they ever would have had.

"One can't imagine a better choice to be the first U.S. ambassador back to Vietnam than a fellow who spent six years in a Hanoi prison, then comes back as a living, walking, talking symbol of reconciliation.

"This whole issue of reconciliation, which is so important to the two countries, not to mention the two business communities, is one he has handled with great aplomb."