UNITED STATES/VIETNAM/FILE: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON LIFTS ECONOMIC EMBARGO ON VIETNAM AND BUSINESS PEOPLE IN VIETNAM REACT WITH ENTHUSIASM

Record ID: 504369

  • Title: UNITED STATES/VIETNAM/FILE: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON LIFTS ECONOMIC EMBARGO ON VIETNAM AND BUSINESS PEOPLE IN VIETNAM REACT WITH ENTHUSIASM
  • Date: 3rd February 1994
  • Summary: WASHINGTON D.C. (FEBRUARY 3, 1994) (AGENCY POOL) SV PULLBACK GV: UNITED STATES PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AT NEWS CONFERENCE 0.13 CU: CLINTON SPEAKING OF LIFTING EMBARGO (ENGLISH) 0.47 TRANSCRIPT, CLINTON: "I HAVE MADE THE JUDGEMENT THAT THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE THE COOPERATION OF VIETNAM AND TO CONTINUE GETTING THE INFORMATION AMERICANS WANT ON MIAs I SO END THE TRADE EMBARGO. I HAVE ALSO DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A LIAISON OFFICE IN VIETNAM TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR AMERICANS THERE AND TO HELP US TO PURSUE A HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT. I WANT TO BE CLEAR, THESE ACTIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE A NORMALISATION OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS, BEFORE THAT HAPPENS WE MUST HAVE MORE PROGRESS, MORE COOPERATION AND MORE ANSWERS."
  • Embargoed: 18th February 1994 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES / HANOI, VIETNAM/FILE
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: General,Economy,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8TWKHLK4HX3IYWK8AYENGKVZ5
  • Story Text: United States (U.S.) President Clinton lifted the U.S.trade embargo against Vietnam on Thursday (February 3), marking an abrupt and dramatic shift in relations embittered for decades by war and post-war hostility.
    Clinton said at a White House ceremony that he was lifting the trade embargo against Vietnam because he was "absolutely convinced" it offered the best way to determine the fate of those U.S.troops missing in action.
    Clinton added that a liaison office would be established in Vietnam to provide services for Americans there and help to pursue "a human rights dialogue with the Vietnamese government." He added the caution that "these actions do not constitute a normalisation of our relations" and said such normalisation would require "more progress and more answers" about the fate of the 2,238 U.S.troops still listed as missing in Southeast Asia action.
    Clinton said the embargo could be reimposed if cooperation was not forthcoming at an acceptable level.
    Excited U.S.and Vietnamese entrepreneurs in Hanoi on Friday (January 4) welcomed the end of the economic embargo.
    Many U.S.businesses have already established offices in Vietnam, and U.S.
    products have been available on the black market in some cities.
    Resident U.S.businessmen, who had long urged an end to the embargo, were jubilant.
    "I'm very excited about it...It's great news for both of our countries and it's good news for the people of both countries," said James Rockwell, head of a consultancy firm, Vatico.He said he would be celebrating with a party on Friday night.
    Vietnamese businessmen and women greeted the news.Vu Xuan Hong, general secretary of the Vietnam-United States Society said it marked a new period in relations between the two countries.
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