U.S. welcome for Hanoi general
More than a quarter of a century after the end of the Vietnam War, the
United States is set to welcome a top Hanoi military official for the
first
time. Defence Minister Pham Van Tra plans to visit the U.S. by the end
of
this year or in early 2003, American diplomats and Vietnamese military
officers tell the Review. In undertaking the first, official military
visit
to the land of the former enemy since the war's end in 1975, Gen. Tra
will
be acting on an invitation first extended in 2000 by then U.S. Secretary
of
Defence William Cohen. His talks in the U.S. are expected to explore the
two
countries' "strategic relationship" without touching on the issue of
arms
procurement, according to a U.S. diplomat. Relations may be warming up
on
the naval front as well: The commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, Gen.
James
Jones, will be heading to Hanoi later this year to discuss ship visits.
The Far Eastern Economic Review - September 26, 2002.
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