FEER: Vietnam cancels Cohen's trip to appease China

[Dam Thanh Son <son@ctp.mit.edu>]

Far Eastern Economic Review
Press Release 

To News Editors
August 18, 1999
For Immediate Release

Hanoi Upsets Washington by postponing a long-planned visit by U.S.
Secretary of Defence

Hong Kong: Vietnam has called off a planned visit by U.S. Secretary of
Defence William Cohen for the second time this year, the Far Eastern
Economic Review reports in its latest issue to be published on August 19. 

U.S. sources in Hanoi told the REVIEW that the August 13 decision to
cancel the trip appears to be part of an attempt by Vietnam to reassure
its neighbour China that it is not becoming too close to the West. Cohen's
trip, which the REVIEW learned was scheduled for September 30, 1999, would
have come just weeks after a September 6 visit by U.S. Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright. 

"To let two heavy-hitters of the U.S. cabinet visit Vietnam in the course
of three weeks would have been too much in symbolism," a Hanoi-based U.S.
official who requested anonymity told the REVIEW. 

Another official, who also asked not to be named, appeared to rule out a
visit by Cohen in the near future: "I don't think we'll see a SecDef
[Secretary of Defence] in Hanoi for a long, long time." 

Vietnam refused to discuss the issue. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Nguyen Manh Cam told the REVIEW: "Who will visit Vietnam and when
such a visit will take place are being arranged by the two sides in
conformity with the prevailing situation."