U.S. Considers Removing Lethal Weapon Ban for Vietnam: Ambassador by Vu Quoc Ngu Aug 07, 2013 The U.S. will consider lifting its lethal weapon embargo against Vietnam if the communist government can meet some conditions set by the U.S., said David B. Shear, U.S. Ambassador in Hanoi. Speaking at a press briefing in Hanoi on Aug 7, Ambassador Shear said that one condition is an improvement in Vietnam’s human rights record, which shows positive signs in the first half of this year. The ban removal will be part of the diplomatic relations upgrade in which the two countries agreed to establish comprehensive partnership, he noted. The decision to elevate relationship to a higher level was reached during the visit of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang to Washington in late July. In the coming time, as the two countries build closer ties, Vietnam and the U.S. will sign a number of agreements, including agreements on civil nuclear usage and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), he noted. Along with enhancing bilateral cooperation in economics, the U.S. wants to boost ties in defense as well as help Vietnam deal with the remaining war consequences, Ambassador Shear noted. Vietnam has long expressed its wish for the U.S. to remove the lethal weapon embargo as part of the communist nation’s plan to strengthen defense capacity amid rising tensions in the East Sea, where China has become more aggressive in solidifying its illegal claim of nearly the entire sea.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 11:49:22 +0000
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