Socialist Republic of Vietnam

SPEECH BY H.E. MR. NGUYEN DY NIEN, VIETNAM MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE VIETNAM-US RELATIONS CONFERENCE

(02 October 2003, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, D.C.)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1/ First of all, I want to thank the organizers for honoring me with the opportunity to address this Conference jointly organized by the renowned School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, and the Institute of International Relations of Vietnam, and the sponsoring organization - the Ford Foundation. Your turnout today is indicative of the keen interest in the Vietnam-US relationship at present and its future development. I would like to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to you all.

I believe that this meeting is a good opportunity for us to exchange views on issues of mutual concern, to review current developments, and to make practical recommendations for the promotion of Vietnam-US relations in the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2/ I understand that, during its preparations, this Conference has drawn attention from scholars, government officials, businesses, and mass organizations in both Vietnam and the US. How can the theme of Vietnam-US relations at present and in the future attract such profound and widespread interest, especially after Vietnam and the US have established normalized relations and concluded a Bilateral Trade Agreement?

In a normal relationship, issues related to the Vietnam-US ties would, by and large, be addressed in a normal way similar to any bilateral relationship between states. Also, recent developments around the world with global magnitude that have led to new priorities in US domestic and foreign policies can easily outweigh Vietnam-US bilateral concerns. If we follow that reasoning of normalcy, Vietnam should no longer attract attention from US public opinion and policy-makers.

3/ However, the real life realities filled with fast changes do not, in my view, lend support to that reasoning. Why am I saying that? It is because a generation of Americans and Vietnamese -- with blood-and-flesh associations with America’s involvement in Vietnam and currently holding important positions in the Administration, Congress, and policy think-tanks -- clearly understand the importance of the Vietnam-US relations in bilateral and regional terms. From adversaries we have become partners. Our children now share an interest in finding how this relationship will grow in the future.

Indeed, with its historical roots as well as geo-political, security, and geo-economic importance, the Vietnam-US relationship has been and will continue to be of great significance to the interests of each nation and those of peace, stability, and development in Southeast Asia in particular and in Asia and the Pacific as a whole. I would like to highlight three following realities:

First, the Vietnam-US relationship, although normal and between two independent and sovereign states, is distinctive and characterized by its past and the different socio-political systems of the two countries. The war ended nearly 30 years ago, but its legacies still have profound and far-reaching impacts on the mentality and sentiments of both sides. Nevertheless, the war and major changes in international relations have called for additional bridges to deepen mutual understanding and to renew bilateral relations in a more thorough way, helping the next generations overcome the war syndrome and differences for a more vigorous growth of Vietnam - US ties as expected by our two nations.

Today, Americans view Vietnam as "a country, not a war." This perception probably explains why our bilateral relations have recently seen encouraging developments. The progress serves as a good start and a basis for the two countries to build a framework of relations commensurate with the vast potentials of both nations. A satisfactory answer to the quest for a new framework for the bilateral relationship requires our inputs at this gathering.

Second, the United States is the only superpower in the world today, playing an important role in and exerting a strong influence on all aspects of international relations globally and regionally. The special relationships of the United States with Asia and the Pacific in general and South East Asia in particular dated back centuries ago. The growth miracles of the dragonets in East Asia could not have been possible without their cooperation with the United States.

In regard to Vietnam, Americans knew Vietnam when Thomas Jefferson was looking for Vietnamese water-paddy seeds to plant at his farm in Virginia 200 years ago. And Ho Chi Minh, in his journey abroad in search of a path for national liberation, traveled to Boston and New York. In September 1945, in the Declaration of Independence that gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, he quoted the words of the United States Declaration of Independence: "All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, namely Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The founders of the new Vietnam and the United States of America shared the same ideals of liberty, justice, and fraternity.

The Vietnamese generations of today are following the path chosen by President Ho Chi Minh along the lines that "Vietnam is willing to be a friend and reliable partner with all countries in the international community," including the United States, for the sake of achieving “a strong nation, a wealthy population, and a just, democratic, and advanced society” in Vietnam. Vietnam is well aware of the role and the importance of the United States in regard to regional stability and development, and to Vietnam’s own economic development and modernization strategy.

Third, Vietnam is achieving an increasingly important role and voice within ASEAN, in Southeast Asia in particular, and Asia in general. The people of Vietnam, with traditions of an unyielding nation, a strong sense of independence and self-reliance, and a time-tested vitality, are successfully carrying out their Doi Moi and economic reforms and are rapidly integrating themselves into the region and the world. Vietnam has become an indispensable part of the regional economic integration and of endeavors to achieve lasting peace and security in Southeast Asia and Asia - Pacific. A more integrated Vietnam is in line with the overall strategic interests of the United States.

4/ In search of solutions for these newly arisen issues, this Conference has identified the correct issue-areas for its agenda, namely areas of cooperation and issues sensitive to the two countries; overlapping interests and remaining differences; and mechanisms for the promotion of relations and settlement of differences. A better understanding of these issues will certainly help create a vision and define a framework for long-term relations between the two countries in the future. Let me say this. It is no news that there are differences between our two countries. Yet, unlike before, what is new is that we have a growing relationship that meets our common interests. The convergence in our views should be further enlarged and the divergence should be narrowed down. A sound relationship between us would not only better serve our common interests, but also facilitate us in handling the differences in an enlightened and constructive way.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I fully share the thoughts and the dedication of the organizers and all the distinguished participants that our common goal is to pool efforts to transcend differences and obstacles so that we can develop a new relationship between two countries that had been at war with one another. An equal and mutually beneficial cooperation between Vietnam and the United States will also help prove that countries with different social and political systems can co-exist peacefully and cooperate effectively in pursuit of the interests of each nation on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs. Such a relationship is not only in the interest of each nation, but also of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large. A more globalized world means greater interdependence among nations. And a higher level of globalization and interdependency is an inevitable trend and both phenomena are already taking place in the world today.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Given the perceived importance of Vietnam-US relations, both sides now are working closely to establish an enduring framework of stability and multi-facetted cooperation, which will put in place a practical and strategic foundation for our partnership in many years to come. Vietnam has, in recent years, established long-term and comprehensive frameworks with many important partners such as China, Japan, India, the EU, and others. My question for you here is whether the Vietnam-US relations will lag behind and remain prone to chances? My view is that it is certainly not our mutual option.

What should the main elements of such a framework be? What should a new roadmap for broadening and intensifying our partnership be? These are the questions that merit your deliberation and contributions.

I look forward to your fruitful discussion and recommendations. I wish you all good health and the Conference every success.

Thank you.