US wants transparent cooperation with Vietnam in adoption16

US wants transparent cooperation with Vietnam in adoption16:26' 16/02/2009 (GMT+7)

Assistant Secretary of State Janice L.Jacobs.
VietNamNet Bridge – Speaking to VietNamNet last week, Assistant Secretary of State Janice L. Jacobs said the US expects Vietnam’s early participation in the La Haye Convention to resume adoption cooperation between the two countries, which was suspended last September.

Signed in 2005, the 3-year Cooperation Agreement on Adoption between Vietnam and the US was halted in September 2008.

From 2005-2008, of 69 foreign adoption organisations in Vietnam, 42 belonged to the US. Around 1,700 disadvantaged Vietnamese children were adopted by American families, making the US the country that adopted the largest number of children from Vietnam.

Vietnam is adjusting its adoption policy, including making preparations for joining the La Haye Convention.

The US is very serious about transparency in adoption, including a clear fee table for adoption, said the US diplomat.

She said the US is willing to provide technical assistance to Vietnam to compile the Law on Adoption. The US can also help Vietnam train staff.

“It is wise to restrict the number of adoption organisations,” she said.