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Vietnamese officials visit USS George Washington
ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON: Less than a week after China launched its first aircraft carrier, the US has showed off its own big-boy supercarrier to former enemy Vietnam. The visit comes as smaller Asian nations become more jittery amid Beijing’s burgeoning maritime ambitions.
Rather amazing when you think about it. Nothing like a nasty neighbor to make a country to turn to a former enemy. Too bad Kissinger never thought to try this.
A delegation of Vietnamese military and government officials was treated to a tour aboard the USS George Washington nuclear carrier this weekend. They flew out to the vessel, which was off the coast of southern Vietnam — once home to the US-backed capital of South Vietnam during the brutal Vietnam War.

It’s the second such visit to the US Navy’s carrier in as many years and a symbol of the former foes’ warming military ties. But Saturday’s visit also came amid heated tensions between China and its Asian neighbors.
Posted by: Steve White 2011-08-15
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=328018