luence in the region, U.S presence is as important as ever. Now a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Defense Secretary William Cohen states that “it’s important to have a relationship with Vietnam, just as with other members of ASEAN” (DefenseLink). Cohen also advocates extensive military-to-military relations. Not only would such relations allow US presence in Vietnam to conduct searches for missing POW/MIAs, but as a long term national security interest: Vietnam could become the Turkey of the Far East to the United States. Throughout the Cold War, Turkey was a crucial listening and watching post [to investigate Soviet missile tests] . . .. US intelligence chiefs would love to have radar on Vietnam’s mountains peering into China (Wilson). A huge, untapped market and millions of diligent, skilled, low-wage Vietnamese workers are also of great interest to US companies. If it receives congressional approval, the Bilateral Trade Agreement, would give American companies “opportunities to build relations that have never before existed in the history of U.S.-Vietnam relations” (Hauser). Under the agreement, Vietnam must cut tariffs on U.S.-manufactured goods and farm products, and it must provide greater protection for U.S. investors and intellectual property. Vietnam must also allow foreign companies to operate in areas such as telecommunications, insurance, and banking, which are presently closed to foreign investors.Finally, for those with emotional ties to the Vietnam War, such as Senator John McCain and Senator John Kerry, relations with Vietnam will serve as another great step towards reconciliation. For them, the agreement is “another step in leaving behind the shadow of the war” (CNNfyi.com). With the support of most of the Vietnam War veterans in Congress, President Clinton states that the agreement is “one more reminder that former advers...
