US Secretary Hails Vietnam For Finding US Soldiers’ Remains
At a reception Friday by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in Hanoi, Nicholson thanked the Vietnamese government for its cooperation in the field so far. He appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in assisting the search for American MIAs.
Khai said the two countries should increase their mutual support to address humanitarian issues.
He urged the US to quickly wrap up bilateral talks on Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization and grant Vietnam Permanent Normal Trade Relations status.
Nicholson, a Vietnam War veteran who returns to Vietnam for the first time, said Thursday the two countries could strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism.
During talks with Ho Chi Minh City leaders Thursday, Mr. James Nicholson thanked Vietnam for its efforts in assisting the search for American MIAs.
Nicholson said the efforts helped relieve the pain of war for many American veterans.
He said further that he and other US veterans wanted to bring peace and freedom to citizens of two countries.
The veteran affairs secretary said that before leaving for Vietnam, he had talked with President George W Bush, who spoke of his visit to Vietnam in November.
For his part, Deputy Chairman of HCMC’s People Committee Nguyen Thanh Tai confirmed Vietnam’s policy to leave the past behind and look to the future with eyes on cooperation and development.
During his visit to Vietnam until April 29, Nicholson is to have working sessions with Minister of Labor, Invalids and Society, Nguyen Thi Hang.
R. James "Jim" Nicholson, who fought in the Central Highlands province of Pleiku during the Vietnam War, was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs on December 9, 2004, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on January 26, 2005. He was sworn into office on February 1, 2005.
Source: Thanh Nien News, VNA
