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Leon Panetta makes historic visit to Vietnam

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    First defense secretary to visit since Vietnam War

  • Duration 3:38
  • Date

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Press Secretary Leon Panetta making an historic visit to com Monday today in Vietnam.

You know was the first time a US Defense Secretary has been there since the Vietnam War decades ago.

The area served as an important deep water port and logistics hub for our forces Jennifer Griffin -- life.

Vietnam with the latest hi Jennifer.

Hi Eric.

It was an amazing it was an amazing day with Leon Panetta.

In camera on day the last Defense Secretary US Defense Secretary to visit camera on -- which of course was used by US forces during the Vietnam War troops and warships would -- there and that was the main point of entry.

The last one to be there was Robert MacNamara and then remember.

President Lyndon Johnson in 1966 made the cover of life magazine when he went to greet troops as they were arriving -- camera on -- What the significance of this visit is that it came a day after.

The Defense Secretary addressed other defense ministers in the region outlining the new strategy the president's new strategy to prohibit or -- Towards Asia and put two thirds of the US navy's assets ships and other.

Vessels in the region.

He explain that to the defense ministers in Singapore he arrived in Vietnam and he would like to convince the Vietnamese to have.

Closer ties they're building on a normalization that has been taking place for seventeen years we had an exclusive interview.

With secretary Panetta who was visiting.

The US naval ship.

The bird.

I asked him what it meant to him to be in Vietnam here's what he said.

The war.

Does play a big role in terms of -- not only the lessons we've learned from that war.

But I think also the fact that.

As a result of that war would probably haven't even higher obligation.

To -- get involved in the healing process.

By improving relations.

Part of that healing.

Part of that healing process includes building relations military to military relations with the Vietnamese.

But it was notable.

That in the Vietnamese did not send the senior representative to meet secretary Panetta I camera on base showing that they.

Are nervous about making China too nervous by embracing.

The US to open late.

I asked as secretary Panetta also about the larger strategy.

In this -- this pivot towards Asia here's but he said.

The more I'm out here.

The more critical.

-- view.

This region in terms of our national defense.

And the defense for the world and this is this is an area that is critical for the future security of prosperity of both both of our country.

And for that matter the world I think for that reason.

Camera on bay is a very important port it's the largest one of the largest deep water ports in Asia it is also nationally protected it would be a great place for US ships to be able to come -- dock and and and use as a -- down the line.

But again the focus will be on how to engaged.

Asian countries without making China too nervous but also one of the reasons for this habit is to keep this sees open and to make sure there's trip open trade.

On those waters because there are a lot of territorial disputes with China looming large over this region right now Eric.

Jennifer what amazing historic visit -- through the Vietnam vets who are watching right now Jennifer Griffin law.

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