[Can relations between the two countries be
normalised without full compensation payed
by US for 3 million war dead and millions more
injured? Can relations between a capitalist
country based on private ownership and profit
and a socialist country
based on public ownership & planned production
ever be normalised?... Bill]
[Via Communist Internet... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ]
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----- Original Message -----
From: Walter Lippmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: CubaNews <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 1:47 AM
Subject: [CubaNews] Normalizing Vietnam-US relations (Nhan Dan)
Our Opinion
A further step in normalising Vietnam-US relations
The US Senate overwhelmingly (88-12) voted to approve the
Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement on October 3.
This is a further step towards the full normalisation of
bilateral
economic and trade relations. This trade agreement still
awaits the consideration and approval of Vietnam in
accordance with laws and the signature of the US president.
It will be more than a year since the two countries signed
the trade agreement before it will receive approval and take
effect. This proves that, in the current world of
complicated developments, aspirations for goodwill and
co-operation are poised between forces to move forward and
those in the opposite direction.
The Vietnamese Party, State and people consider the
combined strength of the nation and the times to be
fundamental principles of revolutionary development.
Vietnam persists in its open foreign policy of independence
and self-determination and multilateralisation and
diversification of international relations. Vietnam is ready
to be a friend and reliable partner of all countries in the
international community, striving for peace, independence
and development. Vietnam opts for normalising relations with
the United States on the basis of respecting independence,
sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal
affairs and mutually beneficial co-operation. Vietnam
negotiated and signed the Bilateral Trade Agreement on the
basis of those principles. Vietnam noted the approval of the
trade agreement by the US House of Representatives on
September 6 as a necessary step towards normal relations
between the two countries. Vietnam also strongly criticises
and rejects the 'Vietnam Human Rights Act,' which aims to
link economic and trade ties with political conditions.
Vietnam welcomes the US Senate's adoption of the Bilateral
Trade Agreement with a convincing majority of votes for.
Vietnam noted President George W Bush's view, from the
White House's Statement, which welcomed the Senate's
approval of the trade agreement as a significant step
towards strengthening bilateral ties. We regard the Senate's
approval of the BTA without putting the 'Human Rights Act'
to vote, the way the House of Representatives did nearly a
month ago, to be a positive step. We welcome the positive
attitude of the majority of Senators towards the process of
normalisation of relations. As Senator John McCain put it:
"America has moved on, as has Vietnam. Our duty and interest
demand that we not allow lingering bitterness to dictate the
terms of our relationship with other nations." The Bilateral
Trade Agreement is the result of great efforts from both
Vietnam and the United States and the early ratification and
realisation of the agreement will benefit both countries.
Vietnam hopes that the so-called Vietnam Human Rights Act
will not be approved because it grossly interferes in the
country's internal affairs, violates the UN Charter and
fundamental principles of international law, and runs
counter to the interest of Vietnamese and American people.
Vietnamese people have undergone a long history of hard
struggle, full of sacrifice, for human rights, and the
rights to live in independence, freedom and happiness and
are striving further for human rights. Under the leadership
of the Communist Party, Vietnam has been in the vanguard of
the movement for national independence, endeavouring for
human rights and their exercise. The country fully
understands the value of independence, freedom and
happiness. Despite its starting-point at a low level of
socio-economic development, which is made worse by more than
30 years of war damage, Vietnam still takes the initiative
in global integration, expanding friendship and co-operation
and seizing every opportunity while overcoming difficulties
and challenges. With the combined strength of the entire
nation, Vietnam continues to surge ahead in national
industrialisation, modernisation, construction and defence
of the socialist State. Vietnam is in a favourable position
and capable of making itself a strong country with wealthy
people and a fair, democratic and civilised society as well
as achieving, protecting and guaranteeing human rights for
each individual and the entire community.
NHAN DAN No 687 NEWS Monday, October 15, 2001
http://www.nhandan.org.vn/english/today/ouropinion.html
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