"In Hanoi, Clinton faults regime on rights but extends friendship" by Mark Landler, New York Times | July 23, 2010
HANOI — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton chided Vietnam yesterday for intolerance of dissent and infringement of Internet freedom, even as she celebrated its 15 years of normalized relations with the United States.
What a rude guest!
Clinton said she raised the issues of jailed democracy activists, attacks on religious groups, and curbs on social networking websites during a meeting with Vietnam’s deputy prime minister, Pham Gia Khiem.
The United States will prod Vietnam’s government “to pursue reforms and protect basic rights and freedoms,’’ she said at a news conference, as Khiem stood expressionless beside her.
I guess that's better than a waterboard.
“Vietnam, with its extraordinary, dynamic population, is on the path to becoming a great nation, with an unlimited potential,’’ she added. “That is among the reasons we expressed concern.’’
Khiem replied that human rights policies are rooted in unique cultural and historical circumstances. He cited what he said was President Obama’s observation that countries should be allowed to choose their own paths and that human rights should not be imposed from outside.
I certainly agree with that!
The timing of Clinton’s remarks here, at the start of a two-day stop that includes an Asian regional security meeting, suggested that she wanted to make her point and move on. She emphasized that the United States would increase cooperation on trade and investment and would do more to help people suffering lingering effects from Agent Orange, a chemical spray the US military used as a defoliant during the Vietnam War.
Yeah, here she is lecturing them on human rights after we dumped weapons of mass destruction all over them and killed millions over a lie.
Sensing a theme around your wars, Americans?
Also see: Slow Saturday Special: U.S. Senate is Racist
Vietnamese Seeing Red Over Agent Orange
I can see why they feel that way.
Still, Clinton’s criticism offered a vivid contrast to her visits to China, where she has avoided publicly raising human rights issues with Chinese officials....
Vietnam didn't buy a lot of U.S. bonds, did they?
The divergent moves reflect the uneven landscape the Obama administration confronts in the region, including rising China and recalcitrant North Korea.
Some might even call it hypocrisy.
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