A historic journey for U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in Vietnam.
On Sunday Panetta became the most senior U.S. official since the end of the Vietnam War to visit Cam Ranh Bay in central Vietnam, a U.S. logistics hub during the conflict.
Now he is calling for closer military ties between the two nations.
SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY, LEON PANETTA SAYING:
"We need to obviously build a stronger defense relationship with countries like Vietnam and elsewhere, so that we can help provide them the training, assistance and whatever they need to try to improve their capabilities to be part of the family of nations in this great region that can advance security and prosperity for all."
On Monday Panetta and his Vietnamese counterpart exchanged letters and a diary taken from servicemen killed during the war.
Panetta's visit signals closer military ties between one- time foes who resumed diplomatic relations 17 years ago. The visit also comes as the U.S. is adopting a new military posture with more focus on Asia.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
On Sunday Panetta became the most senior U.S. official since the end of the Vietnam War to visit Cam Ranh Bay in central Vietnam, a U.S. logistics hub during the conflict.
Now he is calling for closer military ties between the two nations.
SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY, LEON PANETTA SAYING:
"We need to obviously build a stronger defense relationship with countries like Vietnam and elsewhere, so that we can help provide them the training, assistance and whatever they need to try to improve their capabilities to be part of the family of nations in this great region that can advance security and prosperity for all."
On Monday Panetta and his Vietnamese counterpart exchanged letters and a diary taken from servicemen killed during the war.
Panetta's visit signals closer military ties between one- time foes who resumed diplomatic relations 17 years ago. The visit also comes as the U.S. is adopting a new military posture with more focus on Asia.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
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