Obama approves Vietnam nuclear deal

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: AFP

President Barack Obama Monday approved a civilian nuclear pact with Vietnam which could lead to the sale of US reactors to Washington's energy-hungry former war foe.

The move by the president formally opened a 90-day review process in Congress. If no legislation is passed contravening the accord, it will then come into force.

Under the accord, US officials said, Vietnam committed not to produce radioactive ingredients for nuclear weapons and signed up to US nonproliferation standards, which the White House bills as the strongest in the world.

"I have determined that the performance of the agreement will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security," Obama said in a memorandum to the Energy Department.

Read more: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/world/a/21682919/obama-approves-vietnam-nuclear-deal/

[olddad56]

1. dumb move, way dumb

[jsr]

2. They've had a research reactor since the 1960s

http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-T-Z/Vietnam/

[YOHABLO]

3. No security risk? How about environmental risk?

[Javaman]

4. so we ink nuke deals with a nation we had a war with and

that killed thousand of our troops and millions of their people, yet we can't open up diplomatic relations with Cuba, because?

I know this is a bit of a tangent, but I just had to say this.

[springchick]

5. My husband is a Vietnam Veteran with 40 years of Army service

and he fully supports open dialog and better relations with Vietnam and Cuba.
If we're talking to each other, at least we're not shooting at each other.

He's all for this deal as long as iron clad safeguards are in place and he doesn't believe for one second that the govt. of Vietnam has any desire to become a nuclear power.

On a side note, we went to Vietnam at the invitation of the Vietnamese govt a few years ago, he showed me places he fought during his 3 tours there, it was tough watching him tear up for the comrades he lost along with the Vietnamese soldiers that lost their lives also.
The people of Vietnam were so gracious towards us

[Javaman]

7. I think you missed my point.

I have no issue with the deal with Viet Nam.

to Clarify, we had a war with them and we now trade with them.

All Cuba is "guilty" is having overthrown a mafia run thug government that did our bidding.

I guess that's more reprehensible in the eyes of some people in this country.

[another_liberal]

6. That is a stunning announcement!

It will take a while for that one to sink in.