Iris Chang, author of The rape of Nanjing: The forgotten holocaust of World War II, in an article, "Betrayed by the White House", published in The New York Times and Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, criticizes the White House policy on civil law suits by prisoners of war against Japanese individuals or corporations. Last November, Congress overwhelmingly approved a provision, added to a spending bill, that would have prevented federal agencies from opposing civil lawsuits by former prisoners of war against Japanese individuals or corporations. The White House in a conference committee struck out the provision for fear that it might interfere with gathering international support for the war on terrorism.
Mr. Chang cites President Bush's remarks on the 60th anniversary of bombing of Pearl Harbor. The President compared the September 11 tragedy to Japanese surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. His father announced that "duty, honor, country" still prevail. This behavior reveals a stunning double standard. According to Chang, the United States government aggressively supported claims of European victims of wartime forced labor. The end result was a $5.2 billion fund to settle claims. But for American victims in the Pacific Theater the United States has taken the side of Japanese companies.
In conclusion, Chang states: "Our leaders in Washington must not be permitted to sell out the men who gave so much in the fight for freedom. Otherwise, what shall live in infamy will be not only Pearl Harbor and Sept. 11, but this unjust betrayal..."