David Larter, Navy Times
When it comes to the hotly contested South China Sea region, the U.S. is seeking allies in unexpected places, even among erstwhile enemies.
With President Obama’s landmark announcement of the lifting of a half-century ban on lethal weapons sales to Vietnam, the stage is set for even deeper ties with America’s one-time adversary — and more port visits for sailors.
The Navy brass have long sought to improve ties with Vietnam because of its location in the South China Sea — the communist nation shares a border with China and the Gulf of Tonkin is created by its northeastern coastline and China’s Hainan Island. In fact, the deepening military-to-military ties were the impetus for lifting the ban completely, Obama said.
“One of the things that has happened through this comprehensive partnership is a dialogue between the U.S. and Vietnamese military that we hadn't seen in a very long time,” Obama said Monday in a press conference in Hanoi. “And we already have U.S. vessels that have come here to port, we expect that there will be deepening cooperation between our militaries, often times around, 'How do we respond to humanitarian disasters in this region?'”
Obama said more port visits are likely in the future as the countries work together on humanitarian assistance missions, but the U.S. was going to tread lightly.
“There may be occasions in which that means more U.S. vessels might visit but I want to emphasize that we will do so only at the invitation and with the full cooperation of the Vietnamese government, fully respecting their sovereignty and their sensitivities,” he said.
During a visit to Washington in February, U.S. Pacific Command head Adm. Harry Harris put his support behind lifting a weapons ban and for getting more ships for port visits.
“We do port visits in Vietnam and I advocate for more. I believe that we will be able to do more this year,” Harris said in a March hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Harris said he saw an opportunity to grow the relationship with Vietnam and that he thinks the Vietnamese people would be receptive.
“I believe that we should improve our relationship with Vietnam,” Harris said. “I think it's a great strategic opportunity for us and I think the Vietnamese people would welcome the opportunity to work closer with us as their security partner of choice.”
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