Posted on 06/23/2007 7:12:06 AM PDT by kellynla
WASHINGTON, June 22 (AP) - (Kyodo)— In talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Friday, U.S. President George W. Bush praised the developing nation's growing economy and expressed gratitude for its help in recovering the remains of soldiers captured or missing during the Vietnam War. During what Bush described as a "frank and candid discussion" with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet, the two leaders also discussed U.S. concerns with Vietnam's apparent backsliding on democracy and human rights.
"I explained my strong belief that societies are enriched when people are allowed to express themselves freely or worship freely," Bush said after the meeting.
Triet said he hopes differences over the rights issue would not mar the overall bilateral relationship, which he said had deepened since Bush's visit to Vietnam last November.
Stronger U.S.-Vietnam ties "benefit not only our two countries, but also constitute a constructive factor for safeguarding peace and stability in our region," Triet said through an interpreter.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Oh really? The Commies have yet to provide a full accounting of ALL AMERICAN POW's & MIA's.
Thanks, Jorge...for NOTHING!
Semper Fi, Kelly
ping
The US is very critical of Vietnam's treatment of it’s people. Especially, religious and political dissent.
The response from the Vietnam pres to the US criticism was that Vietnam have differing views on human rights.
That was the end of the segment. Nothing about what the differences were! And nothing about the people being oppressed!
Then NPR moved on to the Iraq War and how horrible Iraq is and how Iraqis have fled to Syria. Spent 5 minutes about Iraqi hardship.
Man I really hate NPR.
Ping.
Kelly, let me throw this out at the risk of sounding ridiculously sentimental and philosophical AND light in the loafers...
Those servicemen fought to keep freedom alive in that part of the world and that includes free trade in a country that is free.
They are STILL fighting.
This war isn’t over.
It is baffling why the President is kissing up to the muderous thugs who rule over VietNam.
Vietnam was going to execute him -- only the very active intervention of Condi Rice, Colin Powell and Maddy Albright saved the poor guy from being murdered by the state for the "crime" of representing people the state found distasteful. Eventually, Vietnam released him after three-and-a-half months of solitary confinement, where he was tortured and never allowed to see a lawyer.
If the US didn't intervene actively (using its economic clout as a big stick), Vietnam would be even more repressive than it already is.
VN has been doling out knuckle bones for decades.
Politicians can define anything they want anyway they want, then the media will report it just the way the media wants. The public is twice removed from the truth from the start and POWs are not a subject likely to be made clear for the majority today who weren't around at the time.
Well I’m sure your story is a great relief to the THOUSANDS of families whose loved ones were never accounted for...30 YEARS LATER!!!
You be sure and tell Bush, Condi & company that they have FAIILED MISERABLY to do their job as far as forcing the Vietnamese Commies to fully account for ALL American POW’s & MIA’s.
Class Dismissed
Lots of cheap labor to found in Vietnam. Lots of US and other companies will set up shop. Gotta treat the commies with kids gloves.
Vietnam is actually a prosperous nation. Lots of Americans are taking vacations over there. It’s communist in name only.
How come the biggest oil fields are where they support the worst regimes ?
Not a good week for the Prez.
-Caving in to North Korea
-Sending money to the Pali terrorists
-Sucking up to “Charlie.”
I guess even if they wanted - they couldn’t name who they caught or killed when or where. Then I guess you and others that have somebody missing in that war allready know that.
Norway, Alaska and Alberta are exceptions to that. I think part of the issue is that oil gives governments a source of power independent of the people -- that means there's no incentive for good government, because if they're funded by oil wealth the leaders don't need the support of the people.
That’s what I mean.
actually they found a giant oil field (giant like -as large as those in the middle east) just in front of the coast of vietnam and there’s no shortage of companies offering their help to explore the stuff.
Maybe that why W had to show up and make nice ?
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