"Inspiring progress" but unmet potential:foreign minister on Vietnam-US relations
Q: Could you please tell us how you evaluate the developments in Vietnam-US relations over the
recent past?
A: Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US in 1995, the
relations between the two countries have made inspiring progress in many fields.
Mention should be made first of all of the dialogues at high level and between ministries and
branches. The US Secretary of State has made three visits to Vietnam. The Vietnamese Foreign
Minister has made two official visits to the US. The first dialogue between the two foreign
ministries in July 1999 opened up a new mechanism contributing to enhancing mutual
understanding. The US Secretary of Defense has also visited Vietnam. Most recently, President
Tran Duc Luong had an official meeting with President W J Clinton in New York while attending
the millennium summit conference.
After establishing their diplomatic relations the two sides have considered promoting their
economic-commercial relations as the focal point of their relationship and have obtained positive
results. The two sides have signed such agreements as the agreement on the establishment of
copyright relations and the agreement on the operation of the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation (OPIC), thus creating a legal basis for the beginning of activities in the fields
concerned. Bilateral trade has reached about US $900 million a year. We have exported to the
US mainly footwear, coffee, tea, seasonings, sea produce and fuel. In direct investment, up to
March 2000 the US had 118 projects licensed with a total registered investment capital of over
US $1.4 billion. Currently, the US ranks ninth on the list of foreign countries and territories
investing in Vietnam with 97 projects in operation, employing about 3,000 people. The trade
agreement signed in July 2000 was the result of continuous efforts by both sides over four years of
negotiations and an important landmark in the process of normalisation of bilateral relations,
especially in the economic-commercial domain. However, these economic-commercial relations
still remain modest, not commensurate with the potential and conditions of both countries.
Bilateral co-operation in education-training and cultural exchange has also been conducted. We
have created conditions for US researchers, experts and students to come to Vietnam to study
and exchange experiences with their Vietnamese colleagues. Many Vietnamese students, officials
and researchers have also been sent on study and training tours to the US.
In 1987 both sides agreed to settle their humanitarian issues. The US has time and again
acknowledged and expressed appreciation for Vietnam's efficient co-operation in the MIA issue,
and the US side has also made initial efforts to co-operate with Vietnam in a number of
humanitarian programmes. At present, Vietnamese scientists are co-operating with scientists in
other countries, including scientists in the US, in studying the effect of Agent Orange. Due to the
extremely serious consequences of war in Vietnam, the country has a very great demand for
humanitarian assistance and needs a more positive and urgent response from the US, apart from
its own great efforts and contributions from a number of other countries.
These inspiring developments in Vietnam-US relations are the results of our foreign policy which
stands for independence, sovereignty, diversification and multilateralisation, and which shows
Vietnam's readiness to befriend other countries in the international community, striving for peace,
independence and development.
Q: The public in Vietnam and other countries are very interested in the coming Vietnam visit by
US President W J Clinton. Could you please speak about the significance and impact of the visit
on Vietnam-US relations?
A: The Vietnam-US relationship is the relationship between two sovereign nations which has been
established on the basis of mutual respect for each other's independence and sovereignty,
non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefits. As I have said above,
after five years of normalisation, the relations between the two countries have obtained certain
developments. In this process, President W J Clinton has made important contributions. We
welcome those contributions of the President. But it is undeniable that there was an unfortunate
chapter between Vietnam and the US in the past. This is history which nobody can change. We
are in favour of continuing to co-operate, enhance mutual understanding and better Vietnam-US
relations. This is exactly how to settle the consequences left from the past in order to look forward
to the future.
The US President's visit will be an opportunity for both sides to discuss issues in their bilateral
relations and international issues of mutual concern and to better mutual understanding. It will also
help President W J Clinton and his entourage including secretaries, congressmen, journalists and
business people better understand beautiful Vietnam and its culture and the peaceful, altruistic and
lenient nature of the Vietnamese people. It will also be an opportunity for business people of the
two countries to meet one another and create conditions for pushing their bilateral
economic-commercial relations for mutual benefits. In this spirit, the first visit by a US President to
Vietnam will contribute to further promoting the relations between the two countries for their
mutual benefits, thus contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, and
in conformity with the aspiration of the people of both countries.
Q: Could you please speak of President Clinton's agenda in Vietnam?
A: At the invitation of President Tran Duc Luong, US President W J Clinton will pay an official
visit to Vietnam immediately after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC)
forum summit meeting in Brunei from November 15-16.
President Tran Duc Luong will welcome and hold talks with President Clinton. President Clinton
will also meet with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Le
Kha Phieu, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, Vietnamese business people and US business people
in Vietnam, have a talk with university students, and make a tour of scenic spots and historic relic
sites in Vietnam.
Vietnam News Agency - November 8, 2000.
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