By John E. Carey
Peace and Freedom
November 12, 2006

We are now told by multiple sources inside Vietnam that Mrs. Cuc Foshee will be granted clemency by the Government of Vietnam and will be headed for her home in Orlando, Florida, in the United States today.

Mrs. Thuong Nguyen "Cuc" Foshee was arrested and sent to jail without charges in Vietnam on September 8, 2005. An American citizen, Mrs. Foshee married a U.S. soldier and came to the United States in 1973.

Just in the last two weeks she was charged and went to trial. She was convicted of crimes against the government of Vietnam and sentenced to 15 months confinement. She has already been in jail 14 months.

Mrs. Foshee is a landscaper. The Vietnamese government said she and others were attempting to destroy the communist government in Vietnam and install a new democratic government.

When Mrs. Foshee spoke to her brother in law Robert Ende she said, "My favorite brother-in-law! God Bless America. I want a cheeseburger!"

Mrs. Foshee's case complicated the impending Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) which President Bush is to attend in Hanoi, Vietnam starting on November 17, 2006. Mrs. Foshee's case also caused concern for those seeking Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for Vietnam.

Senator Mel Martinez of Florida put a "hold" on the PNTR legislation, pending the release of Mrs. Foshee.

Everyone in Mrs. Foshee's family has great admiration and respect for Senator Martinez "because he is a stand up guy who gets it," said Robert Ende.