The United States should begin easing the embargo on lethal arms sales to Vietnam, Senator John McCain told a press conference in Hanoi on Friday.
“This will not and should not happen all at once,” he said. “Rather it should be limited at first to those defensive capabilities such as coast guard and maritime assistance that are purely for external security.”
The US Senate could begin taking up the issue when it returns from summer recess in September, McCain said, adding that the Obama administration has said it is open to the sales if Congress grants approval.
McCain is on a visit to Vietnam with fellow Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to discuss security issues, trade and human rights.
Their visit comes shortly after China removed a giant oil rig from waters also claimed by Vietnam. The move sparked weeks of heightened tensions between the two countries, which some analysts say could prompt the Vietnamese government to move towards closer ties with the US.
McCain said the two countries’ trade and security objectives “depend greatly on additional action by Vietnam on human rights.”
“We appreciate the recent progress Vietnam has made including signing the convention against torture and registering more places of worship,” he said. “At the same time Vietnam’s leaders acknowledge there’s more to be done.”
McCain was a naval aviator in the Vietnam War. He was captured in 1967 and tortured at Hoa Lo prison, nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton.” He was released in 1973 and has since returned to the country many times.
GNA
