Questions about Vietnam in Daily Press Briefing by U.S. State Department on October 7, 2016

SOURCE: U.S. Department of State

Theo tin Bộ Ngoại giao Hoa Kỳ

John Kirby
Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
October 7, 2016

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QUESTION: Taking the temperature again of U.S.-Russian relations, something harkening back to the Cold War era, now the Russians are saying that they’re considering plans to restore military bases in Vietnam and Cuba in light of the improved relations between Vietnam and Cuba with the United States. How do you perceive these potential developments?

MR KIRBY: I would say a couple of things on that. I mean, these – obviously, overseas basing is – those are sovereign decisions that two states need to work out. We have overseas bases. Other – and there are obviously other nations around the world that also possess and hold overseas bases. That’s not uncommon.

I can’t speak for the motivation that might be driving. If, in fact, they are – I’ve seen the press reporting, but if in fact they are pursuing that, that’s – those are decisions, motivations that they need to speak to, not me. There’s – we have obviously good relations with Vietnam, and we’re trying to now get into a position where we can have better relations with Cuba. I mean, the normalization process is only just getting started. There’s a long way to go.

But these are obviously decisions that states need to work out amongst themselves, and there’s no – I mean, depending on the purpose behind it, there’s no great sense of angst here by one nation looking to explore the notion of overseas basing. It really goes to – it really goes to intent, and only they can speak to intent.

QUESTION: There was no – there would be “no great sense of angst” about having a Russian base in Cuba again?

MR KIRBY: I think – look, this is a – these are decisions that Russian leaders and Cuban leaders would need to work out. The fact is we have overseas bases ourselves, and we’re very comfortable with our overseas presence. And it’s not uncommon for other nations to do that. So I think they would have to speak for the motivation here.

QUESTION: Can I ask you —

QUESTION: John?

QUESTION: — on Vietnam? I think you may be ready for it. The Vietnamese Government today declared a California-based group as terrorists. Do you have any – have they raised this with the United States directly, or is this just something that they’ve said, or are you doing anything about this?

MR KIRBY: I don’t know. I’m going to have to take that. I haven’t seen that.
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http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/10/262905.htm