Washington has begun negotiations with former foe Hanoi for access to a key Soviet Cold War naval base on Vietnam's central coast after the Russian lease expires in 2004. The US military is seeking an "arrangement" that will allow it to use the base at Cam Ranh Bay for port calls and support for its operations in southeast Asia, Pacific commander Admiral Dennis Blair told reporters after talks with Vietnamese officials.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Cam Ranh is one of the prettiest places you'd ever want to go. |