Visit to Vietnam and America's 'pivot' policy

(Baonghean) - Looking back at US President Barack Obama's visit to Vietnam from May 23-25, Nghe An Newspaper interviewed Associate Professor, PhD, Major General Le Van Cuong, former Director of the Institute of Strategy and Science, Ministry of Public Security.

President Tran Dai Quang and US President Barack Obama. Photo: Internet.

PV:What is the context of the US President's visit to Vietnam, Major General?

Major General Le Van Cuong:There are many different explanations for this visit. Many people believe that this is a hasty trip when Mr. Obama only has 7-8 months left in office. Some assert that the visit has a political symbolic meaning. In my opinion, there are 4 points that create the context for this President's first visit to Vietnam. First, it is the election in the US, when the coming months will witness the two Republican and Democratic parties choose candidates to represent the final race taking place in November. Thus, in the US territory, the situation is relatively stable, Mr. Obama can spend time to do many other foreign affairs. Second, in the West, the Ukraine conflict has calmed down, the prominent issue of Syria has also temporarily calmed down in recent months. Syria is joining hands with the US and Russia to implement a political solution to the conflict that has lasted for more than 5 years. The atmosphere in Europe and the Middle East is temporarily stable. Third, in the Asia-Pacific, especially in the East Sea, in the past 5 months, China has increased its militarization, bringing 2 sets of 8 HQ-9 surface-to-air missile launchers to Phu Lam Island in Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago, installing 4 high-frequency early warning radar systems on islands in Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago. Not only that, this country has also had more than 100 flights take off and land at the illegally built airport on Vietnam's Cross Reef and Gac Ma Reef. Last week, Chinese military aircraft almost collided with US aircraft in the East Sea (only 15 meters apart) when the US military aircraft was operating in international airspace, in accordance with international law and practice. Therefore, President Obama visited Vietnam when the East Sea became one of the hottest issues, attracting the attention of the international community. In other words, China's illegal moves have forced the US to consider adjusting its strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, and the visit to Vietnam is also part of the strategic intention of the world's number 1 power.

PV:So, according to the Major General, what is the purpose of Mr. Obama's visit this time?

Major General Le Van Cuong:There has been a lot of public opinion on this issue, some people think that the main purpose is that Mr. Obama wants to lift the ban on selling lethal weapons to Vietnam, which focuses on security and defense issues. There are also many opinions that the US President wants to promote the realization of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. From a personal perspective, although the above issues were discussed at high-level meetings, the actual official purpose of Obama's visit is to send the US message to Vietnam in particular and ASEAN in general that the US continues to be present in the Asia-Pacific region, has been, is and will be implementing the "pivot" strategy to the Asia-Pacific. In addition, Mr. Obama wants to clearly explain the "pivot" strategy to maintain stability, peace, development and prosperity of all countries in the region. Therefore, whether he says it or not, the US President wants the trip to help influence Vietnam as well as the international community to understand and support the “pivot” policy in line with the interests of all parties and the trend of stability, cooperation and development. The purpose of the trip is political, with fundamental, long-term strategic significance, not a situational solution. In 2017, no matter which party becomes the US President, the foundation that Mr. Obama built during his visit to Vietnam will continue.

The friendly attitude of the Vietnamese people touched Mr. Obama's heart. Photo: Reuters.

PV:What is the significance of the US lifting the ban on selling lethal weapons to Vietnam?

Major General Le Van Cuong:This is a rather sensitive issue, many media outlets consider this the most important issue of the trip, but I don't think so. The lifting of the ban on the sale of lethal weapons to Vietnam only conveys the message that the strategic trust between the US and Vietnam is strengthened, is a historical turning point showing that from now on the two sides have common goals and interests, there is no reason to maintain the ban. In other words, this is the milestone ending the period when the two countries were still hesitant and skeptical, to enter a stage of friendly cooperation based on the interests of the two countries as well as the common interests of the international community. And so, this move is more symbolic, but in reality, it is not to the extent of public speculation. Because Vietnam's defense system still mainly uses weapons from the former Soviet Union and current Russia. However, Vietnam needs to diversify its supply sources and access modern US weapons and war equipment such as maritime early warning radar systems, patrol boat systems, etc.

PV:Could you please explain why international public opinion is paying so much attention to Mr. Obama's visit?

Major General Le Van Cuong:Every year, Mr. Obama visits 30-40 countries. Vietnam is not a superpower nor an ally of the US, but Mr. Obama's visit attracts the attention of the international community for two reasons. First, the US is implementing the policy of "pivoting" to Asia-Pacific, while Vietnam is a country with a long coastline, located at the gateway to the region, playing an important role in arranging and ensuring safety and security here. Public opinion is interested in the US's "pivot" strategy, and of course, the Vietnam-US relationship also attracts considerable attention. Second, the 21st century has witnessed the planet's strategic location shift from Europe-Atlantic to Asia-Pacific, which is where major issues of the contemporary world are decided. In addition, many people cannot help but be curious to see what moves the two countries, which were former enemies for decades, will make, but this is only a secondary reason for the international media fever in recent days.

PV:What does the friendly and open attitude from both sides - President Obama and the leaders and people of Vietnam during the visit say, sir?

Major General Le Van Cuong:I think that President Obama himself answered this question during the meeting at the National Convention Center in his warmly welcomed speech: “The friendliness of the Vietnamese people has touched my heart”. This is the message sent to 320 million Americans that Vietnam is a peaceful and stable country, only then can we create a friendly atmosphere between the American leader and the Vietnamese people in general, and the Vietnamese leader in particular. This also has an impact on a small number of Americans who are still hesitant to promote Vietnam-US relations, clearly showing them that Vietnam is a friendly country with all the conditions for the US to promote relations for the benefit of both sides. Besides, the friendly attitude reflects a solid foundation to promote comprehensive cooperation between the two sides, for peace and stability in the region.

PV:In what direction will Vietnam-US relations develop in the coming time, Major General?

Major General Le Van Cuong:The joint statement signed during the visit opened a new page in bilateral relations. The trip ended, but the US economic, legislative, executive, judicial, security, defense, etc. sectors will continue to have bilateral exchanges with Vietnam to quickly realize the contents agreed between President Tran Dai Quang and President Obama. I believe that the trip has laid a good foundation to promote Vietnam-US relations in the coming time, no matter who becomes US President in 2017, they cannot reverse the current trend, because tightening this bilateral relationship in the spirit of partnership and comprehensive cooperation is in line with regional and world trends, and at the same time reflects the will, aspirations and interests of the people of the two countries.

PV:Thank you very much, Major General.

Thu Giang

(Perform)