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                              Kerry Visits Vietnam

   by Gabrielle Paluch

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Vietnam and the
   Philippines this week as part of a trip intended to further
   Washington's diplomatic, economic and military rebalancing toward Asia.
   Kerry arrived in Vietnam at a time of heightened tensions with China as
   Beijing stakes an assertive stance on maritime territorial disputes
   with countries in the region.
   During a news conference in Hanoi, Kerry criticized China for its new
   air defense zone over islands disputed with Japan in the East China
   Sea. He warned that Beijing should not consider taking similar
   unilateral actions elsewhere, including the South China Sea.
   The secretary announced the U.S. would provide an additional $32
   million to help countries in the region patrol territorial waters. The
   money includes some $18 million for Vietnam.
   Kerry's visit comes as Washington tries to reassure its allies about
   its "Asia Pivot" strategy of rebalancing economic, diplomatic and
   military focus to a region considered key to the U.S. future. Carlyle
   Thayer, of the University of New South Wales in Australia said
   Secretary Kerry's trip is partly aimed at "rebalancing the
   rebalancing."
   "The rebalancing of the U.S. is always cast overwhelmingly on the
   military side, and the rebalancing of the rebalancing is to stress that
   the U.S. has enduring commitments to other forms of engagement with
   Southeast Asia and in the Mekong Delta.  It comes together with
   sustainable development environmental protection and mitigation against
   climate change," said Thayer.
   Secretary Kerry also toured the Mekong river, returning to a place
   where he was the commander of an American patrol boat during the
   Vietnam War.
   He addressed a group of Vietnamese students living in communities with
   water-dependent economies about climate change, and announced a $17
   million investment for Vietnam Forests and Deltas program, which is
   intended to mitigate climate change.
   While the U.S. and Vietnam share economic and security goals,
   Washington has been critical of Hanoi's human rights record.
   Despite making progress on its human rights agenda, including signing
   the United Nations Convention Against Torture, and allowing a special
   rapporteur for human rights in to the country, Vietnam has also cracked
   down on perceived government critics.
   More journalists and bloggers were arrested in Vietnam this year than
   ever before.
   Diplomats present at Secretary Kerry's meetings said he was forthright
   with top officials about the importance of human rights, mentioning
   specific cases. However, professor Thayer said pragmatic security and
   economic agendas take precedence over human rights in U.S. diplomacy
   with Vietnam.
   "Durable progress lost out to a comprehensive partnership. The U.S. is
   willing to develop relations with Vietnam economically and on the
   military side while making the protests and telling the Vietnamese
   leaders its in your interest because countries that respect civil
   rights, respect political freedom will have political stability and
   economic growth and that will positively influence the direction of
   relations with the United States," noted Thayer.
   Thayer said Vietnam's major irritant in its relationship with the U.S.
   is the International Trafficking and Arms Regulations, which bans
   Vietnam from buying certain military equipment such as night vision
   goggles and riot gear.
   Kerry will next go to the Philippines, where he is to visit
   typhoon-devastated Tacloban, meet with top officials in Manila and
   discuss bilateral ties.
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   -maritime-security/1811090.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-visits-vietnam-boosts-money-for-maritime-security/1811090.html