The story of Vietnam-US reconciliation: Evidence of the power of tolerance

The President stressed that the story of reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States is living proof of how great the power of tolerance can be, and how it can break through limits.

According to VNA special correspondent, on the afternoon of September 22 local time, President Luong Cuong met with Vietnamese-US veterans during his working trip to New York City to attend the High-level General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, combined with bilateral activities in the United States.

Expressing his pleasure at the meeting taking place at a very meaningful time, the President recalled that 30 years ago, Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet and US President Bill Clinton simultaneously announced the normalization of bilateral relations and since then, with the efforts of both sides, with high-level visits and phone calls, the Vietnam-US relationship has increasingly developed, and the two countries have become Comprehensive Strategic Partners; emphasizing that today, everyone has the right to be proud of the important achievements in bilateral relations, and above all, of the right choices in the journey of cultivating Vietnam-US relations.

Pointing out that the war had taken too much from the Vietnamese and American peoples, leaving behind unfinished dreams and haunting obsessions, the President said that the Vietnamese people, with compassion and tolerance, chose to put aside the painful past to look to the future; chose to forgive, but not forget; believed that future generations of Vietnam and the United States will together build an era of peace , cooperation, development and mutual respect.

The President assessed that in the United States, veterans emerging from the war chose conscience and joined hands with Vietnam to build the first bridges for the healing and reconciliation process between the two countries.

Over the past half century, hundreds of searches and excavations have been conducted, helping to bring thousands of relics and remains of US soldiers back home.

The goodwill and results of the 50-year cooperation between Vietnam and MIA have always been highly appreciated by the US Government, Congress, veteran organizations and MIA family members, and considered a model in the relationship between the two countries in particular and international relations in general.

The two sides also strengthened cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war, such as cleaning up Agent Orange/dioxin at Da Nang airport and Bien Hoa airport; supporting people with disabilities affected by Agent Orange; clearing bombs and mines; searching for, collecting and identifying the remains of Vietnamese soldiers.

With the cooperation of the United States and international friends, many lands that were once "dead" by bombs, mines and toxic chemicals have now revived.

On this occasion, the President welcomed and appreciated the recent Trump Administration's support and continued implementation of projects to overcome the consequences of war in Vietnam.

Recalling the wish of the great President Ho Chi Minh in his letter to President Truman in 1946 for a relationship of “full cooperation” with the United States, the President said that 30 years ago, perhaps the most optimistic person could not have imagined how Vietnam and the United States could overcome the pain of war, to build and develop a strong and positive relationship like today.

Pointing out that history cannot be rewritten, but with goodwill and effort, Vietnam and the United States have been working together to build a bright future for the two countries, the President emphasized that the story of healing and reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States is living proof of how great the power of tolerance can be, and how it can break through limits.

Vietnam and the United States both see that no hatred is permanent and no wound is unhealable, if we open our hearts and look to the future.

The President expressed his gratitude to all veterans and American friends who have supported Vietnam over the past decades, and emphasized the contributions and tireless efforts of historical figures, leaders of the two countries through the ages, and the "icebreakers" of bilateral relations from both sides, such as the late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, the late Foreign Minister Nguyen Co Thach, the late Senator John McCain, Senator John Kerry and many others; and expressed gratitude to the American people who took to the streets in cities to protest the war in the past, or the veterans who always sought to heal the wounds of war deeply imprinted in the hearts of both peoples and many others.

The President wished Vietnamese and US veterans good health and happiness with an open heart and friendship, and will continue to support the stable, increasingly positive and better development of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Also at the meeting, Vietnamese and American veterans shared stories of the past from both sides, the journey to heal the wounds of war, and the desire to put the past behind them, cherish the past, and move toward a better future.

Lieutenant General Phung Khac Dang, former Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army; Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Van Phiet, former Deputy Commander of Politics of the Air Defense - Air Force; Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tu De, pilot of the Quyet Thang Squadron, Regiment 923, Division 371... shared their experiences during the war years, stories of those involved, but above all was tolerance; thereby having a correct view of the fierceness and great losses of the war in Vietnam; at the same time clearly seeing the nature of the war and wishing that it would never happen again; seeing the necessity of justice and morality to avoid unfortunate misunderstandings for future generations.

The veterans also hope that peace and tolerance will spread strongly in the Government and people of the two countries, on the basis of respect and equality, understanding and peace to together put the past behind and look towards the future.

Mr. John Terzano, one of the US veterans, shared his journey of returning to Vietnam after the war and the process of co-founding the organization "Vietnam Veterans" and the Vietnam Veterans Fund in an effort to reconcile, lift the embargo and normalize Vietnam - US relations.

At the meeting, delegates, veterans and relatives of veterans shared their journey of searching for, connecting and healing the past; at the same time, enjoyed soulful songs, bringing messages of faith and peace, towards a better future.

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong and delegates witnessed veterans of the two countries returning souvenirs to the families of Vietnamese and US soldiers./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/cau-chuyen-han-gan-giua-viet-nam-hoa-ky-bang-chung-suc-manh-cua-long-bao-dung-post1063358.vnp