US ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel J. Kritenbrink has said he is proud that the United States and Vietnam are now close partners working together to advance shared interests in peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
US Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink offers incense at the graves of fallen Vietnamese soldiers at the Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery in the central province of Quang Tri on August 27. Photo by Toan Vu
The ambassador shared opinions with Dantri/Dtinews on the occasion of his recent visit to the central province of Quang Tri.
What is the purpose of your trip to Quang Tri and what is the message you want to send to the Vietnamese and American people at this time?
As the Ambassador to Vietnam, I’m grateful that my job enables me to visit provinces, cities, and towns throughout Vietnam, meeting with wonderful people doing amazing work to build bridges between our two countries.
Within Quang Tri province, the U.S. Embassy deeply appreciates our close cooperation with the provincial government and NGOs to address war legacies. Together the U.S.-funded UXO teams have cleared nearly 160 million square meters since the beginning of operations in 1995, and disposed of over 700,000 UXO devices and other explosive remnants of war.
We consider the partnerships between Quang Tri’s provincial government and U.S.-funded NGOs to have set the standard of best practices in UXO decontamination. We are so grateful for these vital partnerships in our shared efforts to make the province impact-free by 2025.
In your opinion, what steps are completed and are yet to be completed for full normalization between our nations?
In 2020, we will celebrate 25 years of normalized diplomatic relations. Years of working to build trust and common purpose enabled our two nations to establish diplomatic relations in 1995. To take this step forward, we had to first look back, facing the legacies of war and working with veterans, families, and others affected by our shared history to build the foundation for the partnership you see today.
We should reflect on what we have achieved. While we continue to address the legacies of the past, today, the United States and Vietnam have a true partnership and friendship grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment of peace and prosperity for our people.
Our progress has been nothing short of extraordinary. Together we have forged a Comprehensive Partnership that covers every aspect of the relationship, from defense, to trade, to health, to people-to-people ties.
The positive transformation of relations between the United States and Vietnam over the years is apparent in the number of high-level visits, people-to-people programs, our cooperation on high-profile international issues, and expanded trade relations between the two countries.
Looking to the future, I am confident we will continue to advance our work together to ensure peace and prosperity for the people of the United States and Vietnam.
What actions do you see are necessary to address the after-effects of the war such as unexploded ordnance and dioxin?
Addressing war legacy issues is a foundational element of our relations.
The United States is proud to be Vietnam’s leading partner in mitigating the explosive remnants of war. Since 1993, we have contributed over $105 million to Vietnam’s efforts to clear away unexploded ordnance, develop training and provide resources for Vietnamese disposal teams, deliver assistance to victims and their families, as well as provide landmine and UXO risk education in high-risk areas.
This year, the United States is on track to contribute at least $12.5 million, and we look forward to our continued, close cooperation with Vietnam, as well as our provincial and international partners, in helping rid the country of the scourge of UXO.
Quang Tri province, where most of our work is currently focused, is on track to be declared “impact-free” by 2025 and will be the first province in Vietnam to reach that goal.
Every day, we are finding and disposing of more and more UXO. Together, we are saving lives.
In November 2018, I attended a ceremony announcing the successful completion of dioxin remediation at Danang Airport. This was a significant milestone in the expanding partnership between our two countries
The total estimated cost to complete dioxin remediation at Danang Airport was approximately $110 million.
In April 2019, I attended the USG-GVN launch ceremony for the Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase Area Project, the final major dioxin hotspot in Vietnam. To initiate project work over the next five years, USAID signed a grant agreement in May 2018 with the Ministry of National Defense estimated at $183 million. So far, USAID has obligated $58 million to this agreement for implementation at the airbase.
US ambassador visits the explosive ordnance disposal site in Quang Tri Province. Photo by Toan Vu
I’m quite optimistic about our shared future – particularly considering how far we’ve come already.
Our fundamental goal is for the United States to be a vital partner in supporting the development of a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam that contributes to international security; engages in free, fair, and reciprocal trade; and respects human rights and the rule of law.
Every single day, our two countries are working together with a common sense of purpose, for our mutual benefit. This enables our comprehensive partnership to continue progressing forward on a wide range of areas from defense, to trade, to health, to people-to-people ties.
Moving forward as partners, we will achieve great prosperity and success for the American people and for the Vietnamese people.
US Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink shakes hands with Quang Tri Provincial Deputy Chairman Hoang Nam during his visit to the Hien Luong Bridge on August 27. Photo by Toan Vu
The United States is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region with strong, independent partners - - such as Vietnam - - that are satellites to none.
I want to underscore that, as Secretary Pompeo said, “Where America goes, we seek partnership, not dominion.” We want to work bilaterally and multilaterally, in particular through ASEAN, with countries throughout this region to ensure a peaceful, stable region in which countries follow a rules-based order, have open access to air and sea lanes, and in which disputes are resolved without coercion. I am proud that, today, the United States and Vietnam are close partners working together to advance our shared interests in peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Thank you very much!
