HONOLULU (April 28) -- As Saigon fell to North Vietnam 30 years ago, many were concerned that the United States would retreat from Asia, the former U.S. ambassador to Vietnam said at the East-West Center today. Instead, "the U.S. has remained a Pacific power," said Raymond Burghardt.
In fact, three decades later the former enemies even share some strategic views. "The two countries are talking at a more strategic level because we share concerns about China completely dominating that part of the world," said Burghardt, who left his Hanoi post last September and now serves as director of the East-West Center Seminars Program. "We have common interests in a balance of power."
On April 30, 1975, the U.S. presence in South Vietnam ended as Saigon fell to North Vietnam. Burghardt, who served as U.S. ambassador in Vietnam from 2001 through 2004, said the two countries have made great strides in their relationship in recent years. Noting that this July marks the 10th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam, Burghardt told reporters in Hawaii that trade between the two countries has quadrupled since 2001. U.S. humanitarian aid to Vietnam has increased dramatically, especially in HIV/AIDS prevention, and Vietnam has the biggest Fulbright Program.
Three U.S. Navy ships have made port calls in Vietnam and there have been a series of high-level meetings between U.S. and Vietnam officials leading up to the expected arrival of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in Washington this summer for an official visit, the first by a Vietnamese prime minister.
Burghardt said the relationship between the two countries would be developing much faster if there were not differences on human rights issues. He also said there is a relatively small constituency base in the United States for improved relations and continued opposition among Vietnamese Americans and some veterans groups. He advised the Vietnam government to talk to Vietnamese Americans to achieve some reconciliation, release political prisoners, and give big contracts to American companies to build up the constituency in the United States.
"Americans should remember that we have a broad range of interests, that we have no areas of strategic conflict but many areas of convergence," Burghardt said.
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam has become more active and vocal, Burghardt said. "Vietnam wants to play a leadership role one day."
To contact Raymond Burghardt, call (808) 944-7615 or email burgharr@eastwestcenter.org.