Vietnam and China

[huy.duong@ctsu.ox.ac.uk]

Dear anh Long and friends,

I don't think China's deal to buy aircraft carriers materialised.
In anycase, having the AC is one thing but it takes many years to
obtain the ability to operate a battle group with aircraft carrier.
On the other hand, Vietnam is already experienced in operating
fighters vectored by radars. And an aircraft carrier can field a
limited numbers of planes. 

Politically, a battle group with aircraft carrier is primarily an instrument
for the projection of power. The US, Japan and ASEAN will be threatened
if China sends a battle group with aircraft carrier into the centre
of South East Asia. Regarding this, it is important that the US
sees this as agression by a dictatorship against civil ASEAN, not
a fight between two brothers.

About France. Recently France has been the first country to propose many
peace keeping operations. France is one of the countries that is quickest to
send forces to protect its interests and nationals. In the 80s France helped
Chad, once its colony, to fight Lybian aggression. France was one of the 
countries which defined the borders between Vietnam and China. If Vietnam asks 
France for help to defend these borders, France's pride and colonial romanticity
will oblige it to give at least material help. We have only to gain to enter 
into treaty with France. 

Huy