Sunday, June 11, 2006
Rummy in Hanoi
Am catching up--I've either been too busy running around in Seoul, or else my Inetrnet has not worked well enough to get a connection (weird but true).
Note the line about few protests...
US defence secretary discusses improved cooperation withVietnam
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
June 5, 2006 Monday 11:29 AM EST
Following a meeting between US and Vietnam's defence
secretaries, the two countries agreed Monday to improve their limited
military exchanges.
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld signed an agreement to
boost military contacts with Vietnam during a one-hour meeting with
Defence Minister Pham Van Tra.
The two former enemies will expand their limited military contacts
by conducting medical exchanges and language training. Rumsfeld told
reporters traveling with him that both sides sought "more visits at
all levels."
Rumsfeld and Tra also discussed continuing cooperation to locate
the remains of 1,805 US soldiers who were killed in the war that
ended 31 years ago. Rumsfeld announced that a US navy ship will visit
Vietnam this summer.
This is Rumsfeld's fourth visit to the communist country. He
previously came to Vietnam as a congressman and later as a private
businessman in 1995.
"I hasten to congratulate you and the people of Vietnam for the
amazing economic achievements that have occurred just in the last 11
years," Rumsfeld told Tra.
The US defence secretary also met with Vietnam's Prime Minister,
Phan Van Kai, in what was characterized as a courtesy visit.
Rumsfeld stopped by the US military's POW/MIA office in Hanoi and
toured the 1,000-year-old Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first
university. He also squeezed in a game of squash.
As the US has become more deeply mired in Iraq, the comparisons
between America's involvement in Vietnam have grown. Yet Rumsfeld's
visit was not dogged by protests, nor was there much attention given
to his visit.
The local media has been barred any access to the US defence
secretary or his entourage.
Rumsfeld is scheduled to depart Hanoi for Jakarta on Tuesday
morning.
Note the line about few protests...
US defence secretary discusses improved cooperation withVietnam
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
June 5, 2006 Monday 11:29 AM EST
Following a meeting between US and Vietnam's defence
secretaries, the two countries agreed Monday to improve their limited
military exchanges.
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld signed an agreement to
boost military contacts with Vietnam during a one-hour meeting with
Defence Minister Pham Van Tra.
The two former enemies will expand their limited military contacts
by conducting medical exchanges and language training. Rumsfeld told
reporters traveling with him that both sides sought "more visits at
all levels."
Rumsfeld and Tra also discussed continuing cooperation to locate
the remains of 1,805 US soldiers who were killed in the war that
ended 31 years ago. Rumsfeld announced that a US navy ship will visit
Vietnam this summer.
This is Rumsfeld's fourth visit to the communist country. He
previously came to Vietnam as a congressman and later as a private
businessman in 1995.
"I hasten to congratulate you and the people of Vietnam for the
amazing economic achievements that have occurred just in the last 11
years," Rumsfeld told Tra.
The US defence secretary also met with Vietnam's Prime Minister,
Phan Van Kai, in what was characterized as a courtesy visit.
Rumsfeld stopped by the US military's POW/MIA office in Hanoi and
toured the 1,000-year-old Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first
university. He also squeezed in a game of squash.
As the US has become more deeply mired in Iraq, the comparisons
between America's involvement in Vietnam have grown. Yet Rumsfeld's
visit was not dogged by protests, nor was there much attention given
to his visit.
The local media has been barred any access to the US defence
secretary or his entourage.
Rumsfeld is scheduled to depart Hanoi for Jakarta on Tuesday
morning.
