Dear [email protected], I`ve never heard that Vietnam (the land) was a province of China. If you look at the map, it's very unlikely. I've only heard that the Vietnamese (the race) was originally from a southern region of China.
Pheng On Oct 14, 4:57 pm, [email protected] wrote: > Russia Returns To Cam Rahn Bay > > http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlog/articles/20101013.aspx > > October 13, 2010: Russia has approached Vietnam about returning to Cam Rahn > Bay. From 1979 to 2002, Russia used Cam Rahn Bay as a naval base and > intelligence facility. Until 1990, when the Cold War ended, the Russian fleet > not only used Cam Rahn Bay, but expanded its facilities fourfold. But as soon > as the Cold War ended, the Russians withdrew everything but electronic > listening facilities. In 2002, in response for Vietnamese demands for a lot > more rent ($200 million), the Russians withdrew altogether. But now, Russia > and Vietnam are both concerned about China's growing naval power. The > Russians are willing to return, if the Vietnamese charge a more reasonable > rent. > > Vietnam is likely to make a deal, as China is an ancient foe, and getting > more aggressive. Vietnam has also turned to France to refurbish its military > and as a source of new military equipment. This was somewhat surprising. Last > December, Vietnam signed a contract to purchase six Kilo class submarines, > for $300 million each, from Russia. This was part of a larger package, that > included over a dozen patrol boats, at least two frigates and dozens of > aircraft. In effect, Russia was supplying weapons to modernize Vietnam's > armed forces. But the Vietnamese have rethought that decision. The Russian > gear on order is still on the way, but French help is sought as well. > > Until Vietnam enacted market economy reforms in the last two decades, the > country was broke. But that has changed, and Russia offered attractive > prices. This annoyed China, which considers Vietnam part of southern China. > But despite centuries of military efforts, the Chinese could never keep > Vietnam under control. Now Russia is arming this wayward part of the > motherland. China has not made open claims on Vietnam for over a century, but > the animosity, and memories, are still there. And China was not happy about > Russia stepping into this family feud. > > Although Vietnam fought a bloody war with France from 1945-54, it was France > that unified Vietnam in the 19th century (and turned the region into a French > colony) and introduced modern technology, Western education and French > culture in general. The Vietnamese have not forgotten, but there are no > grudges. It's easy to be forgiving if you were the winner. The French are > pragmatic, as military exports are a major chunk of their economy. > > But how did France suddenly replace Russia as the favorite military supplier? > There were several reasons, the major one being the recognition that Western > military equipment and doctrine was superior to what the Chinese and Russians > were selling. There was also the realization that Russia and China were > getting pretty cozy, and that Russia and China also had a centuries old real > estate dispute over who should really own Russia's far eastern provinces. If > China wanted to renew old disputes with Vietnam, Russia would not be much > help. China only has to bring up those old territorial claims, and Russia > backs away from helping Vietnam in any way. > > France, on the other hand, has no claims on Vietnam, and wants to keep China > from becoming too much of a troublemaker. Vietnam has also been getting cozy > with the United States, another old foe who also shares concerns about > Chinese ambitions. Opening Cam Rahn Bay to Russian, and maybe even American, > warships, would make Vietnam an even more difficult wayward province to > bully. Russia says it can refurbish its facilities in Cam Rahn Bay within > three years. Cam Rahn Bay is the best deepwater port in the region, and the > revived Russian fleet can operate more effectively from a warm water port. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. This is an unmoderated forum. Please refrain from using foul language. Thank you for your understanding. Peace among us and in Cambodia. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/camdisc Learn more - http://www.cambodia.org
