Posted on 06/21/2005 10:08:19 AM PDT by tallhappy
June 21, 2005 Tuesday
TYPE: MEDIA AVAILABILITY
LENGTH: 826 words
HEADLINE: GEORGE W. BUSH HOLDS A MEDIA AVAILABILITY WITH PRIME MINISTER PHAN VAN KHAI OF VIETNAM
SPEAKER: GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
LOCATION: WASHINGTON, D.C.
BODY:
PRESIDENT BUSH HOLDS A MEDIA AVAILABILITY WITH PRIME MINISTER PHAN VAN KHAI OF VIETNAM
JUNE 21, 2005
SPEAKERS: GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
PHAN VAN KHAI, PRIME MINISTER OF VIETNAM
BUSH: There will be two opening statements this morning.
Mr. Prime Minister, welcome. I want to thank you for the constructive visit we just had.
We discussed a wide range of subjects. We discussed our economic relations. And I noted that the Vietnamese economy is growing quite substantially. We talked about our desire for Vietnam to join the WTO.
And we talked about security issues and the mutual desire to coordinate in the war on terror.
And we talked about humanitarian issues. As the prime minister noted, the United States is supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS in Vietnam. And he gave me a report on the progress about our mutual desire to help those who suffer with HIV/AIDS.
We signed a landmark agreement that will make it easier for people to worship freely in Vietnam.
BUSH: And finally, I want to thank the prime minister for his government's willingness to continue to work on finding the remains of those who lost their lives in Vietnam.
It's very comforting to many families here in America to understand that the government is providing information to help close a sad chapter in their lives.
And, finally, the prime minister graciously invited me to Vietnam. I will be going in 2006. I'm looking forward to my trip. I'm also looking forward to the APEC summit that Vietnam will be hosting.
Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
PHAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Thank you very much, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen.
At the invitation of President George W. Bush, it gives me great pleasure and honor as the first Vietnamese prime minister to pay an official visit to the United States.
PHAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And this event in itself shows that Vietnam-U.S. relations have, in fact, entered a new stage of development.
My visit to America this time coincides with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.
During the talks that I had with Mr. President, Mr. President and I were pleased to note the significant developments in the two countries' relations, including the good progress made in addressing the various issues left over by the past as well as the various steps to be taken to expand our relations in the future.
PHAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Mr. President and I also share the view that proceeding from the interests of the two countries and given the new developments in the region and the world, the two countries' relationship should be enhanced. And too, we should aim to build a friendly relationship, constructive partnership, comprehensive cooperation on a long-term and stable basis as well as on the basis of equality, mutual, respect and benefits.
We believe that America can find in Vietnam a potential cooperation partner. We have a population of 80 million people, which means a huge market for American businesses. And these people also very hardworking, creative and dynamic. And they are now working very hard to achieve the goal of building Vietnam into a strong country with wealthy people and a democratic and advanced society.
PHAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Vietnam is also actively integrating itself into the world economy and wishes to be a friend and reliable partner of all countries in the international community.
I also highly appreciate Mr. President's strong support for Vietnam's early WTO accession. And we agreed that Vietnam's accession will be in the benefits of both countries. And we agreed to continue with our bilateral negotiations with the aim of concluding those very soon.
Mr. President and I also agreed that there remain differences between our two countries due to the different conditions that we have, the different histories and cultures. But we also agreed that we should work together, through constructive dialogues based upon mutual respect to reduce the distances, in order to improve our bilateral relations.
PHAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): On international issues, Mr. President and I exchanged views on the recent developments in Asia and the Pacific which we are both concerned about. And we also agreed on the need to improve the effectiveness of APEC, for which the 2006 APEC Summit in Vietnam will be an important milestone.
PHAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I am also delighted that President Bush has accepted my invitation to visit Vietnam and to attend the 2006 APEC summit.
And we also welcome your support for the organization of this summit.
I'm fully confident that my visit to America this time will help uplift the relationship between our two countries to a new height.
And I finally wish America prosperity and happiness to her people.
I thank you very much for your kindness.
BUSH: Thanks very much.
Good job. Thank you.
END
NOTES: [????] - Indicates Speaker Unknown [--] - Indicates could not make out what was being said.[off mike] - Indicates could not make out what was being said.
Deja Vu : Imperial Japan ??
Why does Bush want to have economic trade with Communist countries? Didn't we in FR excoriate John Kerry for rubbing elbows and posing for pictures with Vietnam officials?
This is the major news of the day -- a huge historic meeting. And it is ignored here.
I think it's part of a policy of getting serious about China. Viet historically don't care much for China. They're REALLY pushing the India relationship and it looks like Bush wants to pull Vietnam onto our side too despite the continuing political oppression there.
Exactly. But don't try to influence all the Bush-haters, they are too dense to see the subtlety in the strategery!
I guess we'll see if the agreement on religion actually leads to improvement in that area.
"They're REALLY pushing the India relationship and it looks like Bush wants to pull Vietnam onto our side too despite the continuing political oppression there.
Exactly. But don't try to influence all the Bush-haters, they are too dense to see the subtlety in the strategery!"
I don't buy that. Bush is doing what Clinton did: Opening business with communists because that helps fill the pockets of Wall Street.
The war is over. Get over it.
What Kerry did, during the war, is unforgivable. What Bush does now, is unrelated.
..disagree and you are a Bush 'hater'....?
It's been said that the Vietnamese are the only people that strike fear into the Chinese.
Vietnam is a chess piece;important to the fute in Asia.
Thank you.
" ..disagree and you are a Bush 'hater'....?"
No.
"You Are Not Forgotten"...
Except by those eager to make a buck off more Far East communist labor.
*Congress to allow normal trade relations with Viet Nam WITHOUT full account of POW/MIA's
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3b9bfd3117c9.htm
Posted on 09/09/2001 4:37:21 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
*Congress to allow normal trade relations with Viet Nam WITHOUT full account of POW/MIA's Thread 2
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3b9d9fbe2cbf.htm
Posted on 09/10/2001 10:23:10 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
IMHO the genesis of restored relations under the Clinton regime and with McCrazy/Kerry support is water under the bridge.
Realistically and strategically, it's better to have VN on our side, with its 1,800 mile coastline on the South China Sea, its 80 million population, and for several other reasons.
Coaxing and handholding VN through the WTO process is key, because it forces the government to incrementally discard its Marxist economic practices and consequently its odious political practices as well.
VN is moving every year toward a more transparent government, I've been going there since 1996 and the differences (at least in Saigon) are dramatic and tangible.
Yes, the government does still suck - I wouldn't trust it as far as I could spit - but as old farts like Gen. Giap and his cronies die off, I think things will accelerate in a positive direction more rapidly.
The old guys are the only "true believers", and even the "communists" don't believe in communism anymore.
BTW, I was in Saigon in Nov. 2003 to see the USS Vandergrift dock at the Port Of Saigon, and to see US sailors taking shore leave over the several days they were there. It was a sight to behold.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.