U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday during his visit to Vietnam-a nation still suffering from a U.S. invasion that lasted 20 years-that big nations should not bully smaller ones.
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During a Monday news conference with Vietnam’s president, Obama traced the arc of the US-Vietnamese relationship through cooperation, conflict, “painful separation” and a long reconciliation.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam -U.S. President Barack Obama chided Vietnam on political freedoms on Tuesday after critics of its communist-run government were prevented from meeting him in Hanoi, a discordant note on a trip otherwise steeped in amity between the former foes.
“As part of our engagement with [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations] and the East Asia Summit, we’re working together to advance regional security and stability”, he said.
The White House “is taking advantage of Vietnam to stir up more troubles in the South China Sea”, it said.
“Vietnam will be less dependent on any one trading partner and enjoy broader ties with more partners, including the United States”, Obama said. “As with all our defense partners, sales will need to still meet strict requirements, including those related to human rights”.
“This change will ensure Vietnam has access to the equipment it needs to defend itself and removes a lingering vestige of the Cold War”, he said.
Kerry called on China to engage diplomatically with Vietnam and other neighbours to resolve disputes over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
“The unprecedented nature of a meeting between a head of state and independent civil society in Hanoi demonstrates that we will continue to raise issues related to human rights with Vietnam even as our relationship progresses and we have continued differences, and the President expressed to both the government and civil society that he believes our deepening engagement will allow us to more productively support progress on legal reforms and respect for universal values going forward”, he added.
“The decision to lift the ban was not based on China or any other considerations”.
“Vietnam has made remarkable strides, the economy is growing quickly, the Internet is booming, and there’s a growing confidence here”, Obama said when a group of reporters were briefly allowed into the meeting. “I think this will particularly be reflected in the maritime domain, which is one of the areas that we work most closely with Vietnam in”.
Vietnam has embraced the deal, echoing Obama’s insistence that the pact can reshape global trade by slashing tariffs despite visceral opposition among many in Washington. The U.S. hopes to use any arms sales to Vietnam as a carrot to nudge it toward reforming its communist, one-party government and embracing free market principles. “That is how some of our greatest companies began”.
The secretary did emphasize that the move in Vietnam is not directed against China.
While China applauds the spirit of reconciliation between Hanoi and Washington, whatever common interests the two countries pursue, they should never compromise China’s national interests and threaten regional security, the daily said.
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China is building airstrips and deploying missiles on man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago, which has increased tensions with Vietnam, as well as the Philippines and Taiwan, all of which claim sovereignty.
