Vietnam Rolls Out Red Carpet for Bush Visit

George Bush, who was instrumental in ending 17 years of postwar estrangement between the United States and Vietnam, arrived Monday in Hanoi for a visit.

Bush will become the first former U.S. President to meet with Vietnam’s Communist leaders since the Vietnam War ended in 1975. No serving U.S. President has met with Vietnam’s leaders.

Bush arrived in Hanoi less than one month after the United States and Vietnam opened embassies in each other’s capitals.

U.S. officials have played down Bush’s four-day trip, but the Vietnamese are welcoming him as a state guest. He is to meet today with President Le Duc Anh, Premier Vo Van Kiet and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam.

In 1992, just before leaving office, Bush let U.S. companies open offices and hire staff in Vietnam for the first time since the war. That eventually led to the establishment of diplomatic relations in July.

Bush’s tour also includes a stop in Japan, where he and his wife, Barbara, are to appear before the Women’s Federation for World Peace. It is led by Hak Ja Han Moon, the wife of Sun Myung Moon, leader of the Unification Church.

Japanese Christian and civic groups are urging him to cancel his Sept. 14 speech in Tokyo, saying his presence would lend legitimacy to the church, which has been accused of devious recruitment tactics and brainwashing members.

Bush spokesman James McGrath told the New York Times that the Bushes know the group is headed by Moon’s wife but are convinced it is separate from the church.