Thread: US Concerned About Russian Use of Vietnam Base

BANGKOK—
The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi said it is unaware of any response from the Vietnamese government to its request that it stop allowing Russia to use a base to refuel bombers that have conducted provocative flights around U.S. territory in the Pacific.

The State Department late last week communicated its concerns privately to the Vietnamese government, embassy press officer Lisa Wishman told VOA on Thursday.

The embassy official said that although the U.S. government respects Vietnam's right to enter agreements with other countries, it wants Vietnam to ensure Cam Ranh Bay is not utilized by the Russian military "to conduct activities that could raise tensions in the region."

Russian planes

Both Russia and Vietnam, defense partners for decades, have previously acknowledged Il-78 tanker aircraft were using Cam Ranh to refuel Tupolev Tu-95 "Bear" strategic bombers, which have an un-refueled range of 15,000 kilometers.

The former U.S. base, which also in the past was controlled by the French and Japanese navies, is a natural deep-water harbor located 290 kilometers northeast of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).

Vincent Brooks, commanding general of the U.S. Army Pacific, told the Reuters news agency on Wednesday that Russian planes had conducted "provocative" flights, including around the U.S. Pacific Ocean territory of Guam, home to Andersen Air Force Base, which is 4,000 kilometers east of Vietnam.

NATO officials say the Bear bombers have also been spotted recently over the English Channel as Russia's military conducts more frequent and aggressive air and maritime patrols close to borders of NATO states.

Russia announced last November it planned to send long-range bombers on patrols over North American waters, an echo of the Cold War era.

The RIA news agency on Thursday, citing the Defense Ministry in Moscow, said the Russian military had begun military drills in southern Russia, the Georgian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and in Crimea, which was annexed from Ukraine last year.

The United States fought the North Vietnamese from the early 1960s until the American withdrawal in 1973, which led to the fall of the South Vietnamese government in Saigon two years later.

Diplomatic ties between Hanoi and Washington were established in 1995.

Despite strong ties between Hanoi and Moscow dating back to the Soviet era, the Vietnamese and Americans have grown closer in recent years as Hanoi grows increasingly worried about the threat posed by its huge neighbor to the north, China.

For centuries, parts of Vietnam chafed under Chinese influence. The two countries fought their most recent border war in 1979, although it was a brief conflict an estimated 30,000 soldiers on both sides died. The two countries have overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Joint exercises

U.S.-Vietnamese joint humanitarian exercises were held in late 2014 and more are occurring this month.

The United States has also agreed to provide at least five modern patrol ships to Vietnam with delivery expected next year, part of an $18 million package U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced in 2013 to help Vietnam strengthen in maritime security capabilities.

In a speech at Hanoi University last Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius expressed understanding that Hanoi would look to "historic partners" for security. But he said the United States also had "much to offer... to enhance Vietnam's security in the short, medium and long term."

More here: US Concerned About Russian Use of Vietnam Base

US hypocrisy at its finest.

Wonder how China feels about this Never-na?

^ Their world citizen hotline is busy at the moment, ltnt. I'll try again later.

In the recent past, Vietnam has supported the Chinese position on issues in SE Asia but they also seem to support Russia as a player in the region. Perhaps Vietnam is like Thailand, play both sides and take what you can get.

Originally Posted by Neverna

^ Their world citizen hotline is busy at the moment, ltnt. I'll try again later.

In the recent past, Vietnam has supported the Chinese position on issues in SE Asia but they also seem to support Russia as a player in the region. Perhaps Vietnam is like Thailand, play both sides and take what you can get.

As is the rule of thumb everywhere [playing all sides].

The superpower triad usually don't understand the reasons and wherefores, yet are more than willing to play the game that they don't make the rules for.

As for the small fry - the instinct is to approach them with a "fuck them all" attitude and continue to play one against the other.

The embassy official said that although the U.S. government respects Vietnam's right to enter agreements with other countries, it wants Vietnam to ensure Cam Ranh Bay is not utilized by the Russian military

I hope the reply was a big:

"Fuck you.

We beat you, remember?"

Originally Posted by Neverna

US hypocrisy at its finest.

It does seem like it . . . ballsy to say the least

Originally Posted by OckerRocker

Originally Posted by Neverna

US hypocrisy at its finest.

It does seem like it . . . ballsy to say the least

Well, not really, Henry.

Actually, Never-na The Peoples Republic of Viet Nam does not care for the Chinese whatsoever having centuries of history warring with the Chinese. Even though they support its communist policies they don't care much for China's hegemony.

viet Nam supports Russia as Russia supported it during the war. Why not. Cam Ranh Bay is a Jewel of a place. Great airfield built to support heavy bombers, and fighter aircraft.

The port isn't or wasn't so well developed with only two Delong piers in place and not really a "deep water," port. Storm protected, but the very best part is the exquisite beaches. White pearl sands, clear water and loads of sea life. At least it was in 66-67...not on a tourist map as well. Take Highway 1 from Saigon north to Nah Trang...get off before Nah Trang turning right.

Originally Posted by ltnt

Actually, Never-na The Peoples Republic of Viet Nam does not care for the Chinese whatsoever having centuries of history warring with the Chinese. Even though they support its communist policies they don't care much for China's hegemony.

viet Nam supports Russia as Russia supported it during the war. Why not. Cam Ranh Bay is a Jewel of a place. Great airfield built to support heavy bombers, and fighter aircraft.

The port isn't or wasn't so well developed with only two Delong piers in place and not really a "deep water," port. Storm protected, but the very best part is the exquisite beaches. White pearl sands, clear water and loads of sea life. At least it was in 66-67...not on a tourist map as well. Take Highway 1 from Saigon north to Nah Trang...get off before Nah Trang turning right.

Sure...why not.
Let's all call it good and not be concerned.

Originally Posted by Neverna

US hypocrisy at its finest.

They (USA) could cancel the contracts Obama approved last year to sell nuclear technology for power generation to Vietnam. That was the ultimate insult to surviving American veterans of that war anyway, but that might cost his corporate masters to lose some profits.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Sure...why not. Let's all call it good and not be concerned.

Logistics of a Russian bomber in Vietnam is pretty thin. I won't be giving this topic much thought at all thaimeme, just filling in gaps in picture FFS.

^^America sold nuclear technology to Japan in the next decade or so after WWII. Don't recall hearing anyone complaining it was an ultimate insult to surviving veterans.

It's all about money for American companies.

Originally Posted by BobR

They (USA) could cancel the contracts Obama approved last year to sell nuclear technology for power generation to Vietnam. That was the ultimate insult to surviving American veterans of that war anyway, but that might cost his corporate masters to lose some profits.

The ultimate insult? Seriously?

The USA invaded a country half-way around the world for no reason, killed hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese . . . and should then punish them for having won the war?

American exceptionalism . . .

Originally Posted by misskit

^^America sold nuclear technology to Japan in the next decade or so after WWII. Don't recall hearing anyone complaining it was an ultimate insult to surviving veterans.

Of course, utter bullshit

Originally Posted by misskit

^^America sold nuclear technology to Japan in the next decade or so after WWII. Don't recall hearing anyone complaining it was an ultimate insult to surviving veterans.

It's all about money for American companies.

Gee, imagine that - wars and militarism promotion for profits and corporations.
The expanded imperial aspect is just frosting.

Originally Posted by misskit

^^America sold nuclear technology to Japan in the next decade or so after WWII. Don't recall hearing anyone complaining it was an ultimate insult to surviving veterans.

It's all about money for American companies.

That's different because we won that war and installed a new and different Government, we were not selling them to the same government responsible for killing 55,000 of our soldiers.

^^ No, the war was wrong, but out of respect for the American veterans of that silly war the sale should not have been allowed. In other words we talk big about our "gratitude" to veterans and even have a Veterans Day, but corporations and money always come first.

Originally Posted by Luigi

The embassy official said that although the U.S. government respects Vietnam's right to enter agreements with other countries, it wants Vietnam to ensure Cam Ranh Bay is not utilized by the Russian military

I hope the reply was a big:

"Fuck you.

We beat you, remember?"

Not really.

Hanoi Jane & her ilk beat the Green Machine

Originally Posted by BobR

Originally Posted by misskit

^^America sold nuclear technology to Japan in the next decade or so after WWII. Don't recall hearing anyone complaining it was an ultimate insult to surviving veterans.

It's all about money for American companies.

That's different because we won that war and installed a new and different Government, we were not selling them to the same government responsible for killing 55,000 of our soldiers.

So if you had won and installed a different government, it would make it all ok?

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

Originally Posted by BobR

Originally Posted by misskit

^^America sold nuclear technology to Japan in the next decade or so after WWII. Don't recall hearing anyone complaining it was an ultimate insult to surviving veterans.

It's all about money for American companies.

That's different because we won that war and installed a new and different Government, we were not selling them to the same government responsible for killing 55,000 of our soldiers.

So if you had won and installed a different government, it would make it all ok?

The government changed in Vietnam as well . . . since the war when they kicked your fat arses out of their country using pointy sticks and exploding water buffalo against napalming the population to a sizzle.

Yes, quite right . . . how dare they

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Not really. Hanoi Jane & her ilk beat the Green Machine

I'll give you a partial on that one. You can adda bunch of politicians who set a line that couldn't be crossed which prevented the "Green Machine," from bombing them back to the stone age. Can't win wars by staying at home Boon Mee.

One correction for some posters here...it was 58,000+ Americans who gave their lives for nothing, not 55,000 as previously posted.

The US seems to have a lot of opinions these days. Also seems not many countries or people think a lot of these opinions as well. About time. To bad their own people don't challenge their government more.

Originally Posted by Luigi

The embassy official said that although the U.S. government respects Vietnam's right to enter agreements with other countries, it wants Vietnam to ensure Cam Ranh Bay is not utilized by the Russian military

I hope the reply was a big:

"Fuck you.

We beat you, remember?"

Yeah, right. Even the Vietnamese government didn't think they had won anything and they told me that when I met with them 25 years ago.

Originally Posted by spliff

Even the Vietnamese government didn't think they had won anything

Years of war, wasted resources, Over 2 million dead...wonder why they came to that conclusion?

In the end, its the dollar they're interested in not your politics.

Originally Posted by spliff

Yeah, right. Even the Vietnamese government didn't think they had won anything and they told me that when I met with them 25 years ago.

You met with 'the government' and they told you this . . .

As ltnt already stated, the US invaded, slaughtered, laid to waste etc.... their people and land. . . and what the US got in return was:


. . . reamed up the arse all the way back to Bumfuckville, New Jersey.

Why people have a problem accepting this - who knows.

Vietnam - nope
Korea? nope
Afghanistan? nope
etc.....
Grenada!!!!! Sooooooeeeee, we dun wun wun

Yes, i did meet with the government in 1992.