Commander Admiral William J. FallonHanoi (dpa)- Former battlefield enemies Vietnam and the United States are discussing conducting joint military search-and-rescue exercises in the future, the commander of the US Pacific Command said Saturday in Vietnam.
Admiral William Fallon said no agreement has been reached but told reporters in Hanoi that during his talks with officials there was "significant interest from the Vietnamese side" in joint at-sea search exercises after more than 200 Vietnamese fishermen were lost at sea in May in Typhoon Chanchu.
"It might be possible to do a kind of an SOS exercise focusing on search and rescue," Fallon said Saturday, adding that the manoeuvres would be humanitarian in nature and draw on US Navy ships' experiences from the 2004 Asian tsunami.
The proposed naval exercises in the South China Sea would be the first direct cooperation between Vietnamese and US military forces since American forces were pulled out of the Vietnam War in 1973.
Since last year, the former enemies have taken tentative steps toward establishing military ties.
Fallon, who commands all US forces from Hawaii to Madagascar, arrived in Hanoi on Friday and met with members of Vietnam's newly formed communist government, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh and other top officials.
It was Fallon's first time in Vietnam since he was a combat-status pilot here 36 years ago. He said he flew "mostly reconnaissance" on the communist capital, which was heavily bombed by US planes during the war.
"But that was a long time ago. Today, we want to focus on the future," Fallon said.
During the long and bloody Vietnam War between the communist north and the US-backed south, 3 million Vietnamese and 58,000 American troops were killed. In 1975, North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon, the southern capital, uniting the country under communist rule that continues today.
The US enforced a trade embargo against Vietnam for years and only established full diplomatic relations with Hanoi in 1995. However, relations have steadily grown.
Fallon arrived in Hanoi little more than a month after Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited and 10 days after two US Navy ships spent the country's independence day on shore leave in Ho Chi Minh City.
US President George W Bush is expected to visit in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, held this year in Hanoi.
Admiral William Fallon said no agreement has been reached but told reporters in Hanoi that during his talks with officials there was "significant interest from the Vietnamese side" in joint at-sea search exercises after more than 200 Vietnamese fishermen were lost at sea in May in Typhoon Chanchu.
"It might be possible to do a kind of an SOS exercise focusing on search and rescue," Fallon said Saturday, adding that the manoeuvres would be humanitarian in nature and draw on US Navy ships' experiences from the 2004 Asian tsunami.
The proposed naval exercises in the South China Sea would be the first direct cooperation between Vietnamese and US military forces since American forces were pulled out of the Vietnam War in 1973.
Since last year, the former enemies have taken tentative steps toward establishing military ties.
Fallon, who commands all US forces from Hawaii to Madagascar, arrived in Hanoi on Friday and met with members of Vietnam's newly formed communist government, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh and other top officials.
It was Fallon's first time in Vietnam since he was a combat-status pilot here 36 years ago. He said he flew "mostly reconnaissance" on the communist capital, which was heavily bombed by US planes during the war.
"But that was a long time ago. Today, we want to focus on the future," Fallon said.
During the long and bloody Vietnam War between the communist north and the US-backed south, 3 million Vietnamese and 58,000 American troops were killed. In 1975, North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon, the southern capital, uniting the country under communist rule that continues today.
The US enforced a trade embargo against Vietnam for years and only established full diplomatic relations with Hanoi in 1995. However, relations have steadily grown.
Fallon arrived in Hanoi little more than a month after Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited and 10 days after two US Navy ships spent the country's independence day on shore leave in Ho Chi Minh City.
US President George W Bush is expected to visit in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, held this year in Hanoi.
15 comments:
Cold war likely to be start between china block and America block, the front line in Cambodia. What is Cambodia government under Hun Sen. had to take side? Former boss Hanoi that have americium and Japan behind or China likely to be superpower in the region in the near future including Russia. we can see what were changed in Hanoi leader ship from hard line communist to moderate communist leader to please Washington. US President George W Bush is expected to visit in November. this is will heat up china. What is china will response to Hanoi .Peking never want to see Hanoi became strong and control Cambodia it is the obstacle for Hanoi to take Cambodia. Now wait and see how the CPP handle the case of Khmer-rouge. They just want to trial only three or four top leader of the Khmer-rouge not to trial at all. Just kill TA Mok and kang keagh eave and the rest of top leader going to hiding or go ahead with the plane and cause the security in Cambodia not stable. Everything by the politic and interfere from big player.
Shame on you America, half millions US soldiers died to defend freedom were killed by Vietnames. Instead of help defending democracy in Cambodia take-down Hun Sen, as well as helping a hand full for Vietnames-American freedom fighter against human right supression by Hanoi takedown that regime, you choose to be firend with your enemy to face China. Pluralist regime, democracy election in Cambodia are clearly ignored by US politicians. You ran away from Republic Cambodia under Lon Nol that you tried to build in 1970, you now run away from SRP and other democracy fighters while building friendship with communist country. You are worse than the Pirates of Caribean..... You said A but you do B.
This technique is too familiar. Go back to 1967 when King Sihanouk was friend with both Ho Chi Ming and Mao/Chu Eng Li. The king though his regime was untouchable. In 1968 or 9, Kissinger secretly negotiated with Sihanouk to be their alie, rather than agreed, he kicked US Embassy out of Phnom Pehn and reconized Viet Cong. Allow them used Khmer land to attack American soldiers. Consequently US invaded Cambodia in 1970.
This time Hun Sen is doing the same as King Sihanouk. He already let millions $$ of Chinese businesses in Cambodia. Perhaps thousands hextars of land are used by Chinese around Preas Vihear to grow rubber plantation.. perhaps millions of $$ military hardware already send from China to Cambodia quietly. For the mean time he is friend with Vietnam. After many more years Chinese connection growing so satrong, Vietnam can't control CPP, Vietnam will allow US to create a new democracy government in Cambodia (Pseudo Lon Nol) by taking down CPP with Vietnam's permission... Civil war will be started.
I hope that President Bush won't forget us. Almost a million Cambodian in a near future will be living in America or becoming an American citizen.
Right now the US has an obligation to protect Japan & South Korea from the great treat of North Korea and Taiwan from China.
Taiwan deosn't want to be a part of the communist. They want their own independence and free. Why send all the money they make so hard to the Main Land China anyway? It just doesn't make sence. Taiwan had always been free. Why trouble now?
It's a very tough world out there at this time.
We just have to wait and see. Hopefully all goes well and no war.
Everyone want to live in peace and get involving with the world trade anyway. Don't we? and one currency for Asia and all that in the year of 2015?
China may be helping us, but they are not being easy on their own people about freedom and human right They don't give a hoode about it. Can we opt you out Mr.China from being a none ignorant country?
If China truely want to help Cambodia, they need to loosen up a little and everyday. Now that I would call a true helpful friend.
We are a Constitusional Monarchy and Demarcracy country, big bother!
What are you trying to do? splitting us into two? You need to make it easier on everybody. That is included to your very own brother Hong Kong.
Good luck & best wishes with what you are trying to achieve, Mr.President and please always remember that Cambodia and you, are one.
To the future Cambodian policians: You should also thinking the same.
The United State is Cambodia on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
I want to see the result of 2008 election first before I say anything. Cambodian election of 2008 is the turning point for all Cambodian people.
If AH HUN SEN win 2008 election, China can depend on AH HUN SEN to look after the Chinese interest and AH HUN SEN will be another King Sihanouk for the rest of his life!
If Sam Rainsy win 2008 election, Cambodia will be more pro-Western especially toward United States! United States can depend on Mr. Sam Rainsy to promote democratic value and the human right issue anywhere in South East Asia especially with the Khmer Krom and Mynmar(Burma!) even Taiwan!
There had been many predictions in the past that AH HUN SEN will do whatever he can to win the election of 2008 by any mean. The CPP clans are controlling pretty much all institutions(economic, court, and military...) in Cambodia. The recent election of commune leaders paint a grim picture ahead of 2008 election for opposition party because the election was fixed and CPP won majority of the vote even in a province where majority of Cambodian people voted for opposition party!ahahahah This is outrageou!
With close examination,the CPP clans power base are very solid and ready to capture 2008 election with no problem! The CPP clans have ton and ton of money to buy vote, to buy intimedation, or buy to shut the fuck up like the FUNSINPEC Party! So where are all the money came from? The money came from committing corruption on such a large scale that no one can comprehend in modern day Cambodian history! There had been estimated that Cambodian government lost between 400million to 500million dollars a year to corruption! Folk! This is only the begining! Soon the discovery of oil worth in billion of dollars will be added to CPP clans assets! Any party who want to challenge CPP will have to think again! The CPP will last for another 100years! May God bless Cambodian people because the nightmare is just begining!
Do you see that the royal family won't back down from entering the politic in the 2008?
I wonder what it will mean?
Let's us see.Who is the stronger one with China?
I still want to see China & North Korea attitudes are changing first. It's for the better for both: their very own economic and everyone's safety.
The billions $$ which China spent to build the spanking new Himalayian's railway is for the tourist or isn't it? No wait! it is for a gost.
Look Mr.China! if you get everyone's blood pressure up, you too will also choke up with cholesterol.
By the way,voting for the royal family might not be such a bad idea or is it?
I would rather let the royal family control the oil rich money and stay powerful with China and,yet be friendly enough with the US.
The SRP has strong position with the US,but not really with our godfather ( China ) you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong, I still love SRP to death, but it's for the sake of our beloved Cambodia that made me rethink. This might work better for us. Let's us think or doesn't the royal family have any ground to it?
THE SRP AND THE ROYAL FAMILY ARE A BETTER PARTNER THAN THE ROYAL FAMILY THE
... YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
THE FUTURE OF THE VEIT ISN'T GOING TO
BE A COMMUNIST STATE. BY THEN, THE CPP WILL BE USELESS. BOTH ARE IS QUIIT NERVOUS NOW.
Did anyone study the body language of the G8 summit lately?
Why did Russia(Putin)and France(Chirac)are suddenly the most content and confident people?
China wasn't really a major player, but seemed to rank second when standing next to Predsident Bush.
Most worry looking was Mr.Tony Blair of Britain. Was he ill? or is it suggesting that he doesn't have any major role in the future of G8?
Putin & Chirac seemed like a new water or better chemical to shut down the fire in Iraq. They also seemd like a key players in current Asia's crisis.
We need to keep our eyes open. That" Putin "is still the best buddy to the Veitcong and therefore has srtong connection to us.
Did anyone study the body language of the G8 summit lately?
Why did Russia(Putin) and France(Chirac) are suddenly the most content and confident people?
China wasn't really a major player, but seemed to rank second when standing next to Predsident Bush.
Most worry looking was Mr.Tony Blair of Britain. Was he ill? or is it suggesting that he doesn't have any major role in the future of G8?
Putin & Chirac seemed like a new water or better chemical to shut down the fire in Iraq. They also seemd like a key players in current Asia's crisis.
We need to keep our eyes open. That " Putin " is still the best buddy to the Veitcong and therefore has srtong connection to us.
Keep our fingers crossed. Hun Sen may win election in 2008, but not in 2013. He will be replaced by a surprised general (may be trained in US or Vietnam both are the same. US and Vietnam are friend now). US may make Vietnam to become like Israel. Cambodia may become Palistain. While Vietnam loosing grip on Cambodia to China, Russia loosing grip on Vietnam to US. Democratic government (US pupet) will be born around 2012 in Cambodia during big cold war between US and China. SRP will be used by US for 5 years to win the war against China then US walks out let Vietnam beats SRP to dead (because of SRP refused to be under Vietnam)just like Lon Nol regime. US will use the new democracy government in China to face Russia. Cambodia will become like Khmer Krom II or Palestine II..
To 9:55AM
I disagree with your analysis. Now tell me what can Cambodia do with bilion of dollars from the oil revenue!
Cambodia can modernize to the point where Cambodia is a stand alone country! Not even the Viet, the Thia or the Loa want to mess with Cambodia!
Cambodian leaders need to stop think like they are little children and stop depending on Super Power for guidence! If Cambodian leaders still follow the same old path for the past 100 years and they will be fucked again for taking advice from a stranger! Cambodian leaders are better off going to a fortune tellers seeking for advice!
There is a saying that no people should take advice from a stranger and always take second or third opinion before doing something!
When Chester Bowles from India visited King Sihanouk in the late 1960's to help Sihanouk resolve political issues in the region (it was our Cambodian last breaths) - what happened when Chester Bowles left a year or two later? CARPET BOMBING!!!!!! it was estimated approximately 600,000 - 800,000 Cambodian people perished and thousands and thousands more were become refugees and homeless.
What was followed after that Carpet Bombing? The Invasion by the US and the South Vietnamese.
Question: Did those Vietnamese left Cambodia completely or were they hidding on the Cambodia's soil? (Remember: Our Khmer government did not have any special force/groups to monitor those Viets. They were roaming around in Cambodia freely with no fear)
1975 - 1979, Innocent Khmer people were slaughtered by those Viets left behind.
How about the K5 Plan in 1983 - 1986? Did more innocent Khmer people slaughtered by those vicious Viets?
Oh Yes! Let's welcome Admiral William Fallon to Cambodia? What will be next for Cambodia, Admiral Fallon?
I pledge to you, please don't bring gas and matches to Cambodia. The people of Cambodia don't need that!
Now Kuon Khmer, WHO must/should we bring to get justice?
Oh oh! ( The V,the U and S )
How about finding a way to assure our good friendship with the US and also China instead?.
I don't give about the Viet.
The big two super powers are working very hard to find a settlement somewhere and somehow of becoming a real partner. All for peace and properity for both. Why not us too?
Microsoft and Boeing company of the US are seing plenty of an economic opportunity and growing.
Even crabbibg company in Maryland Bay in the U.S are also seing positively in their opportunity of importing cheap crabb from China. Listen,it might drive them out of a business for a while, but it also makes American people awared of its origion. If American people want to enjoy fresh peeling crabb meat that is fresh from the bay,right there & right now, they just have to pay more or enjoy the one that is dead and have to fly in from 9000 miles away or from China.
A lot of people spending their money on Junk food anyway. American Crabbing campany are becoming more toward the highest quality products and their people know.
Do know what also? The same crabbing company are running their bissiness on both products and give people their choise. It did not die,instead they flurish day by day.
Where there is a treat, there is also an opportunity. Do you believe in it?
When the black gold arrives to Cambodia then we''ll cross the bridge.
Thank 12:13p.m for refresing my memory.
The Viet = ah ah youk kley!
Some interesting fact from The Middle East:
King Abdulah of Jordan is half British. His wife "Queen Rania" is Palestinian.
Do you know how hard it is to be Palestinian right now? and how difficult it is that your beloved wife is part of the enermy.
Do you see Mr. Blair of British and the King's connection?
Well, a couple day ago,they both went to see The veticans or Pope. Best wishes for them!
If you guys know anything about the Royal family of Iran, please write.
Prince Reza Palavi is in his 40's. He is the son of The Last King Shah of Iran and is perfect enough to try and do something about the Nuclear crisis in that region.
I'm also intersted knowing about Vietnam's Royal family. The last time I heard about them was opening a restaurant in Maryland, United States. They should start becoming active in politic. Hanoi's rear end is getting fater!.
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