US President George W. Bush’s arrival in Vietnam for the 14th Asia-Pacific summit slated November 12-19 made several key achievements, despite having no PNTR in his hand, in closely cooperating with the former war foe on trade and with a vocal joint statement of APEC leaders bidding to end nuclear crisis in East Asia.
The White House leader truly opened a new chapter in bilateral relations and agreed to further boost trade and investment and other fields with Vietnam, now regarded as a key and strategic trade partner of the US after the Vietnam War ended 30 years ago.
Taking advantage of the Asia-Pacific summit, Bush called on fellow presidents of other APEC members including Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Hu Jintao to solve the heated nuclear crisis on the Korea peninsula. And finally President Nguyen Minh Triet yesterday declared the APEC statement, not including a vocal announcement urging North Korea to end nuclear plans.
International press and media associated Bush’s objectives with Nixon’s wedging apart China and the Soviet Union, noting that Bush’s attempt aims to attract Vietnam in his offensive against North Korea, seen as a greater threat to US security, and to develop stronger trade relationships so that Vietnam turns into partner, rather than a foe.
Bush emphasized despite being torn apart by war for decades, Vietnam is now a remarkable country with people at peace and benefits seen from doi moi (renovation). Today the Vietnamese economy is the fastest growing in Southeast Asia. And the United States as well as other APEC partners look forward to strengthening cooperative ties within the block.
Meanwhile, the communist-ruled government sees its hosting the annual Asia Rim summit as a great and precious chance to raise its image and role on the international arena as well as send a significant message to the US: Vietnam wants to be friends with all countries in the world, particularly the US and attract more investment for the country’s development with focus attached to boosting trade ties with its ex-foe.
Upon Bush’s arrival in Vietnam, top leaders of the communist-ruled state, including Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and President Nguyen Minh Triet voiced the desire to narrow differences and become trade partners, hoping to lure more investments and high technology to help the country take off.
Manh noted on talks with Bush on November 17, as soon as the US leader started his working trip to Vietnam part of the Asia tour, that the two sides that once experienced many ups and downs now should make concerted efforts to further the bilateral, multi-faceted and comprehensive cooperation based on mutual respects and benefits.
Triet for his part hailed great support from the US in coping with HIV/AIDS, bird flu, but calling for more humanitarian aid in detoxification and de-mining former battle fields as well as war handicapped people.
Triet, in particular, heatedly proposed Bush crackdown on terrorists that plotted to overthrow the State of Vietnam.
Bush on this occasion highly spoke of Vietnam’s concerted efforts in MIS servicemen issue.
PM Dung highly appreciated the US’s removal of Vietnam from the CPC list, calling for help for bird flu, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and seeking to expand bilateral trade to $17-18 in the next four or five years, seeing US as its key trade partner.
Last but not least, foreign media also highlighted Vietnam’s diplomatic balancing act this weekend in Hanoi, for the first time simultaneously hosting an American and a Chinese leader.
Heavy reliance on the United States poses problems for a country where both the people and the landscape carry the scars of a prolonged struggle against the American military that ended little more than a generation ago.
“The Vietnamese have made a political choice - they need a counterweight against China,” said Alain Cany, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam. Since Europe is too fragmented to match the Chinese in terms of coherently wielded political power, the only other obvious choice is the United States, analysts say.
“They don’t want to be dependent on the US, they don’t want to be dependent on China,” said Fred Burke, a partner with law firm Baker and McKenzie in Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam’s strategic task is difficult, but not impossible, since Vietnam can exploit the fact it is a prize asset for both Chinese and Americans, Ang said.
Bush visited the Ho Chi Minh Stock Securities market on November 20 morning and ended his Asia tour in Indonesia on the same day.
(Local sources, Foreign Media)
Vietnamese
