Congressman Says Hanoi May Let U.S. Use Viet Base Again

WASHINGTON — Vietnamese officials privately suggested allowing the U.S. military to return to Cam Ranh Bay if relations between the countries continue to warm, says a congressman who recently met with them.

Rep. Tom Ridge (R-Pa.) said the extraordinary possibility was raised at a forum in Bali, Indonesia, attended by several congressmen and a group of top-ranking officials of Vietnam’s Communist regime.

“One of the ranking Vietnamese officials said, ‘I can see the day when American ships are docked in Cam Ranh Bay,’ ” Ridge said, adding that the official later specified that he meant warships.

“We said, ‘Do you mean just for refueling?’ and they said, ‘No, for repairs,’ ” Ridge said.

The Soviet Union moved into the U.S.-built base at Cam Ranh Bay at the conclusion of the Vietnam War in 1975. Pentagon officials said in January that the Soviets had withdrawn some fighter planes and bombers.