PRESIDENT BUSH VISITS VIETNAM

 

NGUYEN KINH DOANH REPORTS FROM VIETNAM

 

HANOI, Vietnam —  President Bush, on his visit to Vietnam, supported Pacific Rim leaders’ calls for North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program  He is attending the conference to ask for Hanoi’s help in adopting strong sanctions against the Kim Jong-Il regime in Pyongyang.

 


President Bush with Party Secretary General Nong Duc Manh

 


     After a one-day stop in Singapore, President Bush flew here on Friday November 17, 2006.  The Air Force One landed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at 10:24 AM.

 

     President George W. Bush is the 4th US President to visit Vietnam.  Six years ago, President Bill Clinton was greeted like a rock star by thousands, however, for Bush there were no crowded scenes.

 

     President Bush met with Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

 

President Bush with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung

 


     At 1:00 PM, the Vietnamese Presidential Palace was packed with Vietnamese and American officials together with national and international journalists preparing warm greetings for the US President.  Everyone tried to get a good spot for sharp pictures.

 

     Two official photographers of President Bush set cameras in front of the ceremony stand to snap pictures.  However, the Vietnamese security unit informed them that from the position of the cameras they coould only take pictures of the back of the guard team.  The photographers hurriedly looked for another angle.

 

     At 2:20 PM, the three limousines slowly drove in the Palace between the front and back of the motorcade escort.  All three limousines looked alike, including the license plates.  Only when the door was opened were viewers able to see the President and the First Lady.

 

     After the two Presidents went inside for the conference, the reporters were quick to prepare for Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s meeting with President Bush.

 

     Only those breaking news reporters who hold press cards were allowed inside to witness the historic event.

 

     When the conference was about to end, one Cadillac parked up front and one parked at the back of the Palace starting the engine; however, President Bush and his delegation did not use the Cadillacs, but chose instead to walk to the Office of the Prime Minister.

 

     In Vietnam, major daily newspapers had positive headlines about the visit.  Tuoi Tre with headline SMALL COUNTRY, BIG MARKET.  AMERICAN PRESIDENT:  “VIETNAM IS A YOUNG TIGER”,  Thanh Nien with headline AMERICAN PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH ARRIVED IN HANOI*****VICTORY FOR VIETNAM AND AMERICA.

 

     In addition, Nhan Dan emphasized Vietnam will work with US leaders to foster ties of two countries in many cooperative areas.  Quan Doi Nhan Dan commented that the visit of President Bush proves his administration highly values our role and wants to boost cooperation between the two countries.  Ha Noi Moi daily carries an editorial on the visit with the hope for future Vietnam – US relations to see  common interests win over on-going differences. 

 

President George W. Bush and President Nguyen Minh Triet expressed satisfaction at the progress in the June 2005 joint statement.  It indicated giant steps for growing trade and economic ties, a closer military relationship, cultural and educational links, health cooperation, a commitment to solve remaining issues concerning the war, a shared interest in ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, and frank as well as candid discussion of differences.

 

     With accession of Vietnam to the WTO, President Bush assures his firm support for the Congresssional Approval of Permanent Normal Trading Relations (PNTR) status at the earliest.

 

     Both leaders emphasize the importance of high-level visits between the two countries.  President Bush invited President Triet to visit the United States in 2007 for further discussions and President Triet accepted the invitation with happiness.

 

     President George W. Bush is the 4th US President to go to Vietnam,  The first three were Bill Clinton, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon.

 

 

                                NGUYEN KINH DOANH

                                SAM WELLS