U.S. Offers Funds for Bomb Clearances

Minister of National Defence, General Phung Quang Thanh, has welcomed the US's move to double its funding for clearing Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs), saying it would help Viet Nam deal better with the aftermath of the war and enable people to live in peace. Meeting U.S. Ambassador Ted Osius in Hanoi on April 24, Thanh also expressed satisfaction with new developments in bilateral defense co-operation, including the sharing of experiences in the United Nations peacekeeping mission, humanitarian assistance, disaster mitigation, and ensuring maritime security and safety. He also asked the ambassador to foster Vietnam-U.S. relations. Osius spoke of the need to facilitate high-level visits by defense officials and implementing effectively the co-operation agreements signed by both countries. (Vietnam News Apr 25)