Congressman Says Hanoi May Let U.S. Use Viet Base Again
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 Pentagon officials said in January that the Soviets had withdrawn some fighter planes and bombers.
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