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OP/ED

THE SUMMIT IN HANOI: THE SEARCH FOR PEACE

By Anh Lê

The Summit in Hanoi between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un is both welcome and historic, and a paradox.

It is a paradox as Viet Nam was once regarded by the United States government as its enemy, was the country that prevailed when the war ended in 1975, and now plays the most important role of the host of this Summit.

This Summit can potentially serve in the critical role of achieving nuclear disarmament, promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, and advancing the cause of peace in the world.

Progress has been made. North Korea's missile test launchings, Trump's bombastic threats of hurling "fire and fury" on North Korea, were replaced with negotiations and diplomatic talks between Seoul and Pyongyang, Kim and Trump meeting at their first Summit in Singapore, and the cessation of missile test launchings.

Clearly, Viet Nam holds the critical role of hosting this Summit because of its geopolitical position and stature.

This paradox reminds us of its historical and diplomatic context: the history of the Viet Nam War itself, the waging of war between the U.S. and Viet Nam, and the reconciliation between Viet Nam and the U.S. since the war's end.

This paradox also reminds us of the ever shifting vested interests between nations and how nations conduct their foreign policy, and their defense strategy, as well as their efforts to exert their influence or domination in a region, in this case the Asian and Pacific region.

And let us not be blind, however, to the self serving and seemingly jingoistic arguments by some in the U.S. that immediate and absolute denuclearization be imposed on North Korea as a result of this Summit. Are such arguments realistic?

Such an imposition and demand is both ironic and hypocritical. The U.S., Russia, and China, possess massive arsenals of nuclear missiles, nuclear bombs, and nuclear weapons. The U.K., France, India, Pakistan, and Israel also possess arsenals of nuclear weapons.

Negotiations to achieve nuclear disarmament in the world must be an ongoing effort, not only on the Korean front, but also between all nations.

My hope is that the Summit in Hanoi will advance the cause of peace.

Viet Nam has enjoyed peace and prosperity since the War in Viet Nam ended in 1975, and the country was reunified, My wish for her is, "Chuc Nuoc Viet Nam Hoa Binh Mai Mai! May Viet Nam Enjoy Everlasing Peace!"

Anh Lê has worked with the Vietnamese American community in San Francisco, California and the Bay Area for many years, and is a writer and independent journalist.

Copyright By Anh Lê, February 25, 2019