Vietnam
Military Cooperation and Human Rights
VOA –
06/12/2012
Panetta noted that for the U.S. and Vietnam to take their relationship to the
next level, Vietnam must do more to respect and protect citizens' rights.
America’s
top defense official met with his Vietnamese counterpart in Hanoi recently to
continue building closer ties between our country and the Southeast Asian
nation. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Defense Minister General Phung
Quang Thanh discussed forging stronger military cooperation, an important factor
in the United States’ strategic re-balancing in the Asia-Pacific.
America’s maturing relationship with Vietnam is based on shared goals of peace
and security in the region. This growing and deepening relationship has resulted
in increasing bilateral military cooperation in areas such as high-level
dialogues, humanitarian assistance programs, military exchanges, and most
recently, the repair and maintenance of U.S. Navy vessels in the Vietnamese port
of Cam Ranh Bay. In their meeting, Secretary Panetta and Gen. Quang Thanh
discussed continuing high-level dialogues and increasing co-operation in search
and marine rescue efforts, disaster relief and security and maritime safety.
As has been the case when other U.S. officials have met with Vietnam's leaders,
Secretary Panetta noted that in order for the United States and Vietnam to take
their relationship to the next level, Vietnam must do more to respect and
protect its citizens' rights.
Vaguely worded laws allow security officials to arrest or detain political
activists for taking part in peaceful protests. New government measures also
limit freedom of the press, speech and assembly.
For the U.S. government, respect for human rights is an integral aspect of the
bilateral relationship with Vietnam. America supports a strong, prosperous and
independent Vietnam, and if the government in Hanoi gives a greater say to human
rights issues, it will only help build a more fruitful, closer bilateral
relationship.