Republicans Had No Problem With Reagan, Bush, and Nixon ...

[napkinz]

2. posted by bigtree

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025036431#post29

Paris Accords

. . . provided for the POW exchange of 'Communist' enemy combatants that led to his release, along with hundreds of others.

At the end of combat operations, deals are normally made to exchange prisoners, often as part of confidence-building reconciliation. As you know, last week the President announced that combat operations would be ending in Afghanistan this year. The WH and Pentagon clearly stated this release and exchange was part of those broader reconciliation efforts. Same as with McCain and his fellow POWs.
____________________________________

The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 included provisions for exchanging prisoners of war. The plan to bring American prisoners home was called OPERATION HOMECOMING. Prisoners were to be returned to U.S. control during February and March 1973, with the longest-held generally returning first.

OPERATION HOMECOMING returned 591 POWs: 325 Air Force personnel, 77 Army, 138 Navy, 26 Marines and 25 civilians. Those who were not freed at Hanoi--POWs held in South Vietnam by the Viet Cong, mostly Army and civilians--left from Loc Ninh, the scene of the North Vietnam-South Vietnam prisoner exchange.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=14412



President Nixon shakes hands with Lieutenant John McCain in the receiving line at a welcome home ceremony for returned POW's in the State Department Auditorium.