Posted By: Tom Hustler

By MARGIE MASON, Associated Press Writer

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam - Three Americans and four Vietnamese went on trial on terrorism charges Friday, accused of plotting to seize radio airwaves to call for an uprising against the communist government.
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The seven were led into a Ho Chi Minh city courtroom for the one-day trial. If convicted, they face sentences ranging from 12 years in prison to execution.

The defendants, all of Vietnamese descent, have been jailed without charges for more than a year, prompting Washington to pressure Hanoi to move forward swiftly and fairly.

All on trial are accused of plotting to smuggle radio equipment into Vietnam to broadcast a call for a revolution to topple the government.

The scheme, according to the indictment, was hatched by the California-based Government of Free Vietnam, an organization the Vietnamese government considers a terrorist group. It is run by Chanh Huu "Tony" Nguyen, who is wanted in Vietnam for failed plots to bomb the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand and buildings in Vietnam.

Nguyen, a permanent U.S. resident, was arrested at Vietnam's request in April while traveling in South Korea. He was held for three months before being released to the U.S.

"This is a terrorist case of a particularly serious nature with the participation of many people and directed by Chanh, who heads the terrorist organization disguised as The Government of Free Vietnam," the indictment stated.

Prosecutors say the group set up an adoption agency in Cambodia as a front to disguise their plans.

In 2001, a court in Ho Chi Minh City sentenced 36 members of the group to jail terms ranging from three years to 20 years for attempting to blow up state facilities.

President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are scheduled to visit Vietnam next week when Hanoi hosts the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit — the country's biggest international event ever.

On trial are: Thuong Nguyen Foshee, 58, of Orlando, Fla.; Le Van Binh, 31, of Tampa, Fla.; and Huynh Bich Lien, 51, of San Gabriel, Calif.; Vietnamese nationals Tran Dat Phuong, 65; brothers Ho Van Giau, 59, and Ho Van Hien, 38, and Cao Tri, 35. Cao Tri is also a U.S. resident.

Under questioning from the judge, some of the defendants acknowledged carrying radio equipment to Cambodia on behalf of the Government of Free Vietnam, while others described themselves as employees at an adoption agency.

Tri said Chanh's group gave him an air ticket and money to carry four radio transmitters from the U.S. to Cambodia. He said he had been trained to assemble and operate the equipment so he could pass the knowledge on to others.

Lien said she was not a member of the Government of Free Vietnam, but had gone to work for USIM, a charity in Cambodia that helped arrange adoptions of Cambodian kids for Americans. She said she knew Chanh was associated with USIM but that all she did was help take care of children.

Two representatives of the U.S. consulate sat in the front row of the courtroom as the trial began.

On display near the court house entrance were two tables covered with radio equipment the defendants had allegedly planned to use.

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