Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 25, 1973)
Young Viet fights deportation ruling Ngo Chi Thien is a young man in search of a country. He was sent to the United States in August of 1970 by the South Vietnamese Navy to learn x-ray technology at a naval hospital in San Diego. When the course was over, he decided not to go back. Ngo Chi Thien was arrested by the FBI on November 2, 1972 in Rogue River, Oregon, where he had been working for room and board on a chicken ranch. He was brought before the U.S. Immigration Service in a hearing November 9,1972. At that hearing, he was ordered deported to South Vietnam. But Ngo Chi Thien had made some friends. An attorney was retained and the decision was appealed. He appeared in Portland before an Immigration Judge, Judge Keane, who rendered an opinion on February 16, 1973. Ngo, through his attorneys, had asked not to be deported on grounds that he felt he faced death in South Vietnam for things he had said in the U.S. Such an appeal is permitted under Section 243H of the U S. Immigration and Naturalization Act. Failing that, he asked that he be permitted to leave voluntarily and at his own expense. Both motions were denied by Judge Keane, who is reported to have said, “It would be unconscionable and in congruous for this government to shield this ''eserter while its own men were dying to save democracy in his own country. ” Anyone who is deported, or in this case, ordered departed, has an absolute right to select the country to which he wants to go, subject of course, to that country’s acceptance. When Ngo’s petition was denied, one of the things that had to be done was to select a country. In the words of one closely involved in the case, but who does not want to be identified, “We scratched our ass and chose Belgium.” At the same time, Ngo’s attorneys submitted to the Immigration Service an application for political asylum based upon a “Convention and Protocol,” a United Nations political asylum agreement, adopted by the U.S. Senate on October 4, 1968. 'Hiis document, according to Frank Pestana, Ngo’s new attorney, provides that a “reasonable fear” of persecution by the individual concerned, in this case Ngo Chi Thien, is sufficient grounds for granting political asylum. 'Die Im migration authorities, according to Albert Conversano, Immigration Service Assistant District Director, forwarded this application, along with 90 supportive documents, to the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. Pestana, who is a specialist in immigration affairs, has also ap plied for a hearing before the Board of Immigration Appeals, with oral argument in Washington, D.C. Pestana said, “We’re trying to get the Immigration service to act on the application for ‘Protocol’ asylum. The Immigration Service sent the application over to State, while it’s our contention that they can grant it themselves. It’s their function. We are also appealing the finding on the 243H action.” Pestana has also come up with some unique angles regarding the Paris Peace Agreement. First, the agreement provides for “Freedom of political activities, freedom of belief, freedom of movement . . .” Pestana feels that this should enable Ngo Chi Thien to go where he wants, specifically, that part of Quang Tri Province controlled by the Provisional Revolutionary Government—the Viet Cong. Second, due to certain features of the peace agreement, there may be no such thing as a legal Republic of Vietnam. Both parties (or, actually, all four) agreed that, among other things, the 17th parallel constitutes rally a military zone boundary, not a territorial border. Therefore, any Vietnamese can theoretically go where he wants. Also the PRG and the South Viets, according to Pestana s understanding of the peace agreement, are supposed to lay down their arms and figure out their problems, all the while maintaining de facto administrative control over the areas they hold. This is, of course, highly idealistic, especially as current events in Vietnam indicate. But the letter of the law may have significant bearing on the case of Ngo Chi Thien, formerly of the Navy of the Republic of Vietnam. Ngo himself feels that he will die if he is returned to the Thieu regime. He says that he has relatives who attended pe^ce demon strations and meetings and were arrested, never to be heard from again. According to Pestana, Thien’s father and best friend had to agree to act as hostages before he could go to the United States, to assure his return. Ngo Chi Thien was in Eugene last weekend pleading his case. He participated in the poetry reading at the Bach Mai Hospital Benefit and spoke at several meetings. He was also interviewed by the Emerald. His current activities, since he was released from jail rat bond just prior to Christmas, include traveling around the country speaking and raising funds for his defense. A chapter of the Ngo Chi Thien Defense Committee is being for med here at the U of O campus. Although their plans are not yet solidified, they are going to try to raise funds and circulate a petition that reads as follows: “We the undersigned demand that: (1) Ngo Chi Thien be allowed to return to the Provisional Revolutionary Govern ment of the Republic of South Vietnam, and (2) The U.S. Government must respect the Paris Peace Agreement.” Ishmael Reed to speak today at EMU Ishmael Reed, novelist and poet, will speak at 1 p.m. today in the Dad’s Room of EMU about his writings. Reed, a nominee for the National Book Award for the past two years, has written four novels including “Yellow Back Radio BroKe-uown" ana “Mumbo Jumbo,” which has been nominated for a 1973 NBA merit award. The 35 year old writer will remain on campus after his talk to meet informally with those interested. Survey to determine ridership Riders on Lane Transit District buses are being surveyed by more than 80 volunteers from the League of Women Voters and North Eugene High school this week. According to Ollie Snowden, Lane Council of Governments ’ (L-COG) associate tran sportation coordinator, the effort is the second part of an Origin Destination Survey. In May of 1972 some 2000 passengers were surveyed. The present survey of 2500 passengers is being taken to determine ridership patterns and characteristics in order to provide better service throughout the metropolitan area through comparison with last years’ survey changes in these patterns because new buses and new schedules and routes will also be examined. HELLS CANYON - SNAKE RIVER Fantastic 5 day Wilderness Float Trips. Wild Whitewater! Excitement! Reg. $225, Economy S135. Jim Walker 426-3307 Snake River Packers & Outfitters 207E NW 3rd, Enterprise, Oreg. 97828 Get IT together A wo 'll koop it for tho summor (or for os long os you want) Storage - Special Student Rates Shipping - any amount, anywhere Packing - by experts EUGENE MOVING & STORAGE northAmerican VAN LINES/AGENT 560 Ferry St. 345-0151 German AUTO SERVICE VOLKSWAGEN Mercedes, Datsun, Tovota & Porsche. FACTORY TRAINED EXPERTS Guenter Schoener, Owner. Bns. Ph. 342-2912 " 2045 FRANKLIN Eugene OREGON 97403 NO LIMIT coupon This coupon entitles you to Unlimited Orders of our $1.25 (fish-n-chips) dinners for just . . . Haley thick fillets of fish in a really '^better batter", gold-n-brown with an unbeatable flavor and just right chips , . . ummmm—greatl 0§Walt 's Fisk & CJiWS 45 WEST 29th AVE. PHONE 343-2133 PRICES GOOD — MAY 24, 25, 26, 27 [Salespersons * needed for Summer Sell ads || for the ODE through next Spring Women and persons of minority groups encouraged to apply. Apply at 301 Allen Hall Now!
