Vietnam's US visit

President Nguyen Minh Triet this week becomes the first Vietnamese head of state to visit the United States since 1975. With a business-focused delegation in tow, the president will arrive in New York on June 18 before heading to Washington to meet his counterpart, George Bush, on June 22. Both sides are keen to capitalise on a warming relationship and booming bilateral trade. Aircraft, power plant and nuclear energy cooperation deals are likely, while months after Vietnam’s formal accession to the WTO, Bush and Nguyen will sign a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. However, beneath the veneer of friendship provided by strong trade ties human rights concerns continue to pose a threat. A meeting between Bush and four exiled Vietnamese dissidents weeks ago cast a cloud over Nguyen’s entire trip. Hanoi subsequently pardoned a ‘spy’ in Hanoi that US diplomats had urged the Vietnamese authorities to release from imprisonment, apparently bowing to external pressure. However, the arrest and detention of activists continues, and the White House has already indicated that Bush will express his “deep concerns” on the issue during talks with Nguyen, warning that human rights violations could undermine the development of bilateral ties. But he is unlikely to go too far. Rapid economic growth, bringing with it the (albeit for now distant) prospect of political change, makes Vietnam a valuable strategic ally for Washington – not least given its proximity to China – as it works to protect and further its interests in Asia.